They shared a laugh, and then Gage, for the third time in as many minutes, shook his head. “I fucking don’t believe it. It’s like a movie or something.”
“Yeah. So anyway. I wanted you to know that even though my name is really Brandon, you can still call me Randy. I’ve answered to it for so many years; it’s second nature to me now.”
“Is Gilbert your real name?” The question wasn’t condemning but merely curious. Brandon understood and appreciated Gage treating him not as someone to be pitied but as an equal.
“It was my middle name. My real last name is Kane.”
“Will you go back to Kane? Now that you’ve found your brothers and don’t need to hide any longer?”
It wasn’t ever going to be safe for him to use Kane again. He was lucky no one had ever asked him too many questions about using his middle name. He’d merely stated he preferred it that way and used it ever since.
“I like Gilbert, and everyone knows me here as that, so I’m keeping it.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” He drained his cup and tossed it in the wastebasket.
“Did you tell Tash?”
Try as he might to keep himself from reacting, that damn blush got him every single time. He ducked his head and hoped his hair hid his flaming cheeks. “Um, yeah.”
“He likes you, you know.” Gage’s soft voice penetrated Brandon’s discomfort. “You’re the first person he’s shown an interest in since Danny. I think you’d be great together.”
Brandon thought so too, but things were too fresh and new between him and Tash to talk about. Plus, he wasn’t sure if Tash wanted anyone, especially Gage, to know.
“Umm, well, thanks. I’m happy we’re friends. That’s about all I can say right now.”
Gage shot him a look from under raised brows but said nothing.
“I gotta go to class. Are you going to be at the clinic later?” Brandon stood and picked up his backpack off the floor. “I’m going there around five, five thirty.”
“Yeah, I’ll see you there.” Gage’s phone rang.
“See you later.” Brandon left him to answer it and headed off to class.
* * * *
At a few minutes past four thirty, Brandon finished grading the quiz he’d given today in class. After stretching the kinks out of his shoulders, he checked his watch and groaned. Even if he left right now, he’d be late to the clinic with the way the trains ran. Damn. He’d better text Tash and let him know.
Going to be late. Got stuck grading papers. I’ll be there ASAP.
He stood and shoved all the test papers into his backpack, checked to make sure his laptop was inside, and zipped it up. Few teachers were about; most preferred to go home right after school ended, and he was usually one of the last to leave the building. Before this weekend, it was because he had no desire to go back to his depressing room in the walk-up he lived in.
Now, everything had changed. He was meeting his lover, and Brandon half hoped Tash would ask him back to his house for the night, even though it would be a pain to get to his school from there. By next week, he was going to move into Esther’s house. The lady was so kind. He had no qualms about living with her. After seeing how much both Ash and Luke adored her, he knew he’d be safe there.
He turned out the lights and closed the door behind him. It was always a bit eerie to walk through these silent halls after being there all day, dodging the crush of students and wincing at the roar of so many voices shouting to be heard over one another. Even the security guards had gone. He ran down the steps, eager to be off.
“Going my way?” Tash leaned against his car, arms folded. A wide smile played on his lips.
Happiness surged through Brandon. Without hesitation, he ran up to the man and threw his arms around him. Tash held him tight, and they hugged, then kissed, his warm cheek brushing against the cool, bristly skin of Tash’s wind-chilled face.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were here? I hope you weren’t waiting too long.” He hated to let go of Tash and held on to him a moment to draw some of his strength before letting him go.
Tash opened the car door. “Nah. I had already decided to surprise you and pick you up, so I was on my way when I got the text from you.”
Brandon slid into the front seat. A delicious aroma filled the car. He sniffed and waited until Tash settled in next to him before pointing behind him. “I smell something amazing back there. Did you bring food for the meeting?”
“I picked up some food from a little Italian place in Carroll Gardens the guys always go to.”
