A harsh, resentful voice broke into their conversation. “How come you didn’t try to find them?”
Brandon’s heart squeezed in his chest. Meeting the dark gaze of the angry young man, Brandon recognized that look. He’d seen plenty of young kids like this, like he’d once been. This was a kid from the streets, one who’d lived a truly hard life.
“I did try. But Luke had changed his last name so it was impossible for me to locate him.”
“What about Ash?” Steve’s brow furrowed. “I’m sure that’s his real name.”
His throat tightened, and his chest hurt from the tension of holding himself together and not falling apart. “I figured since he left and never came back, never tried to get in touch with Luke or me again, he didn’t care. That he forgot about us. Then, when I saw how rich and successful he’d become, with a fancy Park Avenue law practice, why would he want to be bothered with me? I wasn’t anything special.”
At the sound of footsteps behind him, Brandon turned to see Ash’s agonized face. If he’d stabbed himself with a knife, the pain wouldn’t have been as great.
“Is that really what you thought? You knew where I was all along, yet chose to be homeless rather than come to me?”
“Ash, no, you don’t understand.” He stuttered, but in all honesty, it was the truth. He’d done it out of love, to protect Ash, not because he hated him but because he couldn’t involve Ash in his ugly problems with Munson. “It wasn’t like that.”
“What was it like?” asked Ash. “Please tell me.”
“I…I thought, you’d become rich and successful, and you wouldn’t want someone like me around. I was only going to be a burden and”—here he took a deep breath—“a memory of the past you obviously wanted to forget.”
“Someone like you?” With that, Ash took him by the hand and led him down the hallway, then into an office. His breathing cut sharp and harsh through the air. “Do you know what I did with the first check I got once I joined the law firm? I bought a suit, and I hired a private investigator.” Ash’s eyes glittered feverishly. “All the years I went to school and lived wherever I could, the only thing I could think of was how I’d failed you and Luke and how, if I made it—whenI made it—I’d find you both, and we’d be together again and safe.”
“Ash, I don’t blame you. You and Luke, we all did the best we could to survive.”
“I almost didn’t.”
His heart lurched. “Wha-what do you mean?”
Ash closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before answering. “A year ago I probably wouldn’t have answered you, but after all the therapy I’ve been through, I need to tell you.”
“Ash, please.” Brandon moved close enough to his older brother to put his hand on his shoulder. “Tell me.”
“For years I hurt myself and a few times even tried to kill myself. But that’s done with now,” he added hastily as Brandon, horrified at what he’d heard, stared at his older brother, his eyes filling with tears. “I’m so much stronger now thanks to all that therapy, and I have Drew and everyone else.” Ash pulled Brandon down to sit next to him on the sofa.
“Finding you was a reward, the ultimate happiness that could’ve happened for me. Never doubt that I wanted you, that I want you in my life. No matter what happened before, during, or after we were separated, you always have been and will be my brother. Always.”
They hugged each other, unrestrained. This time no one needed to tell them what to do. Tears mixed with laughter as they hugged. A part of Brandon, the one part he’d kept to himself that still believed Ash hadn’t wanted him in his life, released the heavy burden anchoring him to the past. “We can start again, the three of us. It’s all different now. You and Luke are settled, with lives of your own. There’s no need to worry about me.”
Humor returned to Ash’s face. “That’s what you think. Since I’ve been with Drew, I’ve inherited an entire family who worries.” He leaned back in his chair, contentment evident in his relaxed body. “I never thought I’d get to a place where I’d feel secure, accepted, and loved.”
“Drew seems like a special man. He knows everything you went through? I mean, with Munson?”
The love shining from Ash’s bright eyes amazed Brandon. Happiness had been a remote concept growing up in their house, except for those rare times when the three of them managed to steal some time away to spend together.
“He does. It’s not an exaggeration when I tell you Drew saved my life. He and Esther both. I’d do anything for that woman.” He grinned. “You’ll see what I mean. She’ll capture your heart and twist you around her finger without you knowing what happened.”
“I plan to move in there next week.” He’d take what Ash said more as a warning to be on his guard, not reveal too much.
“Good.” Ash jumped up. “I think Tash is having his session now with Johnny. We can go to the back and prepare the room for the others, and heat the food up.”
“Sounds good to me.” He followed Ash. “We brought some Italian food from some place Tash said you guys like.”
They walked down the hallway to the back until Ash casually asked, “Is something going on between you and Tash?”
Remembering their earlier conversation, Brandon honestly answered, “I have no idea.”
Chapter Twelve
“So, Johnny, sit down and tell me what’s been happening since our session last week.” Tash took out a notebook from the desk and looked expectantly at the young man sitting across from him.
