“That’s a good observation.”
“I had a great tutor.” Cliff peered in closer at the painting. “I think I recognize that tie.”
Brennan wanted to remember how good Cliff looked tonight. And not just physically. He seemed comfortable and relaxed in a way Brennan hadn’t seen from him.
And then Cliff reached for Brennan’s hand and interlocked their fingers. Right there. In public. In front of all these people. Brennan’s eyes darted around the room, wondering who saw and who cared. Nobody paid them attention, save for one person by the door.
Alex waved at them. He gave Brennan a thumbs up.
“I hope you don’t mind that I brought Alex with me.”
Brennan tried to catch up with everything that had happened since he went into hibernation in his loft. Cliff gave him a nod that let him know everything was okay.
He struggled to make sense of it all. “If you need more time...we can figure it out.” Brennan skated at the edge of fear. But Cliff had come here and held his hand. It was time to jump into this. “I missed you, Cliff.”
Brennan wanted to drag his tongue across his stubble. He wanted to hold him forever. “I’m tired of feeling ashamed, Brennan. I’m tired of...I’m just so tired. I don’t want to live that life.”
Cliff brushed a hand through his hair, letting his confidence falter. Brennan squeezed his hand, reminding him he was here, standing next to him always.
“I think this world tries so hard to make us hate everything about ourselves, and I don’t want to be part of that noise,” Cliff said. “I’m gay, and I’m in love with you.”
Brennan’s breath caught in his throat.
“I’m in love with you, too.”
Cliff pulled him into the best kiss of his damn life. The lights inside Brennan turned on like the Vegas strip. He realized that this was the first time he’d ever kissed a boy in public.
And he needed for that kiss to not end yet.
Their lips met again in harmony, and for the first time in days, Brennan could breathe.
Until Alex cleared his throat.
Shit.
Brennan cut his eyes to Cliff, but he wasn’t cowering.
“Alex, I want you to meet my boyfriend,” Cliff said.
Alex tilted his head. “Eh, you can do better.”
Brennan thwacked him in the stomach.
Alex wrapped Cliff in a tight hug and whispered something in his ear that caused Cliff to pull him into an even tighter embrace matched with fervent backslapping. It made Brennan jealous he didn’t have a brother. Only, he sorta did. Alex hugged him next, just as tight.
“I love you guys,” he whispered. Brennan closed his eyes, letting it sink in, feeling like he gained a whole family.
“So you’re cool with this?” Brennan asked.
“I’m like ninety-nine percent cool. But, if you break my brother’s heart, I will hunt you down and rip your sack off.” He turned to Cliff. “And you, if you break my best friend’s heart, I will hunt you down and rip your sack off, too. Just give me a monocle and top hat because I will not be afraid to go around and collect all the nuts.”
“Thank you for that visual,” Brennan deadpanned.
Alex laughed to himself.
“What’s so funny?” Cliff asked.
“Nothing. You guys just look really happy.”
