“Yeah.” Thad gave him a weak smile. “I fucking did. Didn’t turn out the way I planned, but my gamble worked. My hand was shaking so damn hard my signature was pretty much illegible,but my brother is alive and happy now and it still feels like it was the right choice. Theonlychoice.”
“But you sacrificedeverything,” Graham whispered, his heart aching for the teenage version of the man he loved. He imagined how terrified but determined Thad must have been. How much he must have loved his brother to do something so life-altering.
Thad nodded. “I did. If this changes how you feel about me or?—”
“Changes …” Graham muttered, letting the blanket slip from his shoulders as he shifted closer, cupping Thad’s cheek and looking into his eyes. “Listen to me, Thad. Before I knew you went to prison for your brother, I thought you were an amazing man. Now that I know, Istilldo. It gives me a clearer picture of who you are though. Let’s me understand you better. ”
Thad pressed their foreheads together. “Fuck, you’re amazing.”
“How am I the amazing one here?” Graham whispered.
“You’re so …” Thad’s swallow was audible. “Understanding.”
“I love you. How could I not be?”
Thad drew back, tracing his thumb across Graham’s cheek and staring into his eyes. “But you were understanding long before you fell in love with me. You neveroncejudged me for my history.”
“Why would I?”
“Most people do.” Thad dropped his hand.
Graham reached out to capture it, threading their fingers together. “Well, they’re not the right person for you then.”
Thad let out a low chuckle. “No, they aren’t.” He leaned in and kissed Graham, a slow glide of his tongue that made Graham shiver.
“C’mon,” Thad said huskily when he drew back. “Let’s get you warmed up again.”
“And how do you plan to do that?” Graham asked, stretching out on his back with a smile.
Was Thad changing the subject and distracting him with sex? Probably. But that was okay. They could talk about this more in the future.
Thad had told him something he’d been carrying around for decades. Something few people knew. That was enough for now.
Thad settled over him, his body a deliciously heavy weight as he nuzzled against Graham’s ear. “How does a blowjob sound, baby?”
Graham smiled and tilted his head, giving Thad better access. “Like you read my mind.”
A little while later, Thad drew back, the taste of Graham’s cum lingering as he licked his lips.
“Mmm. Trick ortreat,” Graham said with a happy, contented sigh as he burrowed into the pillow.
Thad frowned, wondering if he was still a little drunk. He’dseemedperfectly sober when they talked earlier but now he was starting to wonder … “What?”
Graham smiled. “It’sHalloween.”
“I think technically it’s November first. Like … themorningof November first,” Thad said with a yawn, because honestly? He was fucking exhausted. “But that aside, was a blowjob from me a trick or a treat?”
Graham laughed. “Atreatof course.”
“Well, that’s good.” Thad pulled the covers up over them both, then slung an arm over Graham’s midsection. He was sprawled on his back, looking content, his cheeks still flushed in a way that always made Thad feel a tender fondness for him.
Or, maybe, that was how he felt about Graham all the time but only truly got to enjoy in moments like this, when it was simply the two of them, their bodies tangled together and their guard down.
“This was a good Halloween for me,” Thad said quietly. “The best I’ve had in a long time.”
Graham turned his head, eyes half-lidded and drowsy. “Even with the way stuff went down with Gavin at the pub?”
“Yeah.” Thad traced his fingers along Graham’s side, skimming over his ribs. He shivered but didn’t pull away. “I’m relieved it’s all out in the open now.”
