“What do you want with her?”
Evan didn’t answer immediately.
Brent didn’t give up. “What’s your long-term plan?”
“I don’t have one.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Evan shook his head. “You want to know the truth? I’m just as messy as you are. We all are, it’s human nature. And from the moment I met Jess, I’ve been lying to myself about how I feel about her.”
“When was that?” The question sounded faint to Brent’s own ears.
* * *
Evan had fucking just steppedin it, right after apologizing to Brent for the last time he’d stepped in it. Where was his usual suave confidence?
Gone.
“Look—”
“Just tell me,” Brent said, his jaw clenched. A vein in his temple throbbed.
“At Evie and Liam’s wedding.” Evan swallowed hard. “You’d just left her.”
Brent hung his head and rocked his jaw from side to side. “You’ve wanted her that long? Why didn’t you make a move when I wasn’t in the picture?”
“I’m not the guy to mend a broken heart.”
“She’s not broken.”Not anymore. “She’s strong.”
“The strongest. And I was right not to make a move last year. But my feelings for her haven’t changed.”
“So why can’t you say what you want with her, then? Just be honest.”
“With her?” Evan tapped Brent’s shoulder, swinging him around. “Or with you? What are you more hurt by? That I want her? Or that you think I want her more than you?”
Brent’s eyes flared wide.
“I told you. It’s all chemistry. My desire for her didn’t fade. Yes, I want her. But I want you, too, for reasons I cannot figure out.”
“I have redeeming qualities.”
“I look forward to discovering more of them.” Evan sighed and reached out. Brent didn’t flinch, so he set his hand on the man’s shoulder and squeezed. “Hey. We both want her to be happy, right?”
“Yes.”
“And she wants you to be happy.”
Brent smiled at that. “Yeah.”
“So don’t worry too much about what the future holds. None of us know that. What we do know is right here, right now.” He slid his hand to Brent’s neck, tugging him closer. Then he gentled his touch and grazed his fingers over Brent’s cheek. “I know how important she is to you. Nothing I ever do with you will threaten that, I promise. I take my lead from her.”
“You’re an interesting guy, you know that?”
“So people say.”
One of Brent’s eyebrows curved up a bit. “Thanks. For the hike, and the talk. This was a lot of fun.”
