Noah's New Plan - 30. Chapter 30

"Why are you nervous?"

Eli rang his parents’ doorbell, then looked down at his boyfriend, who stood next to him on the porch, fidgeting.

Noah shrugged, while pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Your parents make me nervous.”

"They love you, babe."

"Your dad always makes jokes about me cutting my hand."

"No, he doesn’t. Look, there’s no pressure; it’s just a cookout."

Eli’s father, John Holmes, opened the front door. He called back over his shoulder, “Sheila, Eli and Noah are here! Hide the sharp knives.”

Eli choked back a laugh, while Noah chuckled nervously. Even though Noah was turning red with embarrassment, Eli thought that shit was funny. He knew his dad didn’t mean it in a malicious way.

"Come on in," Dad said. "I was just getting ready to heat up the grill." He turned toward the sliding doors leading out to the back deck.

"Told you," Noah muttered under his breath.

Eli took Noah by the arm, and held him back. “If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t joke with you. Trust me.”

"Okay…"

Cupping Noah’s face in his hands, Eli kissed him.

"So, stop being nervous. What was the point of that mind-blowing, relaxing blowjob I gave you before we left if you’re gonna worry yourself to death?"

Noah chuckled softly, he glanced around, making sure they weren’t being listened to. “It was good.”

"Don’t I know it." Eli waggled his eyebrows. "Damn, and I remember when I used to not be able to come from a blowjob. You fixed that, babe. You fixed that good."

Noah’s face went red. “Stop.” He laughed and gave Eli a play slap on the chest.

"There, that’s better. Now, come on."

Hand-in-hand, Eli led Noah into the kitchen.

"Hey, hun." After washing her hands, his mom gave Eli a hug, then gave Noah the same.

"How have you been, Mom?"

"Oh, you know, keeping busy." She seasoned a platter of raw burgers, then dumped two packs of bratwursts onto it.

"That’s a lot of food, Sheila," Noah noted.

"Your brother Jack and his family are coming."

Noah opened his mouth, then shut it. He glanced over at Eli and shrugged.

Eli just smiled. His mom already thought of Noah as family. Eli placed a hand on the back of Noah’s neck, and gave a squeeze. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the side of his boy’s head.

Sheila held out the meat platter to Noah. “Take this out to dad, will you, hun?”

Noah looked at Eli. “Uh… okay.”

Eli nodded, letting Noah know it would be okay.

* * * *

Noah walked into the backyard like he was walking death row.

"Here’s the meat."

Without a word, John used a pair of tongs to point to the shelf attached to the biggest gas grill Noah had ever seen.

Noah set the platter down, and started to back away.

"Eli tells me that asshole ex of yours has been giving you trouble."

"Uh…" Noah froze. "Yeah. I think Eli scared him off for good."

The imposing biker turned. He used the tongs to point at Noah. His voice was deep, resonating in his chest. “You let me know if he comes sniffing around. I’ll beat the brakes off him if he fucks with you again.”

Noah blinked. “Uh… thanks?”

"No one fucks with my family."

John turned to the grill, giving Noah his back. He didn’t speak again.

Noah swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. The last thing he wanted to do was cry in front of the surly biker, but he was damn close.

"Thank you, John."