Suited

Thirty Six

Wednesday, I was free from my parents but Lawrence and I were summoned by the Chairman. Not for anything work related, but golf. Us and Gabriel as well as Haydn and his father. Apparently wedding talk was in order. I wasn't sure why we were invited but Lawrence was excited so we went to the estate so he could pick up his clubs. He wanted to drive his car so I allowed him and loaded my Highest Standard golf bag into the trunk before we left.

We ended up making a pit stop on the way to the course at Haydn's residence because Gabriel didn't confirm their attendance. The outside looked exactly the same as I remembered. A well manicured lawn with seasonal bushes were on either side of the driveway. Haydn's truck was on the right which was closer to the front door and I presumed Gabriel's car was in the garage.

Suddenly I wasn't sure how to proceed. I was never supposed to come back here. Gabriel said we could come in and he lived here now so it should have been fine but this was Haydn's residence first and foremost. I wouldn't want him anywhere near my house and I didn't want to be anywhere near his.

"Signore?"

Lawrence was outside now. "Just go in without me, ragazzo. I'll keep the car warm." Why were we going golfing anyway? It was almost winter.

"Honestly, Sir, I'd be more comfortable if you were with me. It sounds like they'll be a while."

Then we should have just gone without them. It wasn't like we were sharing a vehicle. "I'm not allowed."

He frowned. "Would it be alright if he said you could?"

I really didn't want to go in at all. The last time I'd been here was long from forgotten. Lawrence was being so patient though and we were already running behind and Gabriel was staring so "Yes," even though if the latter had gone in when Lawrence informed him of the day's plans, he'd probably be half dressed by now.

Lawrence and Gabriel disappeared behind the front door. I didn't move for a moment. My body felt heavy. Lawrence was waiting for me though so I got out and made the trek to the porch. Knocking seemed appropriate.

Haydn Roscoe answered in nothing but sweatpants with messy hair and a hickey on his neck, exchanging pleasantries with me like it was a normal day, years ago, before everything spun out of control. Before contracts and before falling out. He was talking to me like he did when I'd pick him up to carpool to one of Heidi's parties before feelings were involved. He told me to make myself at home. I would not under any circumstance. This wasn't home. The bed in the lustra next to Lawrence was home.

The inside was different. The couch was the same when I sat on it and Lawrence slid down to kneel next to me, but there were new things around. The coffee table had a hook on it, there was a dog bed next to the TV stand, and a metal bowl next to that. Gabriel said he went overboard decorating the den and there were times things ended up around the house. I thought the pup play stunt had been for Halloween but apparently Haydn had been interested in it for years, according to Gabriel. I'd had no idea and frankly, I wasn't that intrigued. I was less nervous though. Now I had no doubt that we were incompatible. I liked my boys human.

We all left at the same time but I noticed we lost Gabriel and Haydn on the highway. They'd been right behind us the whole time until we were a couple miles from the exit we needed to take. We arrived around ten minutes late and I expected Sr. Whitacre to fuss but he didn't. He was just happy we were there which was good, though a little unprecedented. To my surprise, Haydn's father actually spoke to me. I was fully prepared for him to pretend I wasn't there the whole time but he was polite and he didn't bring up New York or Haydn so I decided I could handle a conversation with him.

He spoke to Lawrence too, and I found it funny that Harris looked more nervous than he did. I didn't know what rumors the Chairman had fed him about this son of his, but Lawrence wasn't a bomb and he loved socializing. The Chairman decided to ask me about his meds though and he heard so he decided to call Gabriel and see what was taking so long. I declined to answer beyond he was taking them and the evidence of how well he was, was stood off to the side, leaned against one of the golf carts with a hint of a tan.