“Hear me out.” There was painful hesitancy in Tash’s voice. “Once we step out into that group and confirm we’re in a relationship, the whole dynamic will change. Ash and Luke will want to protect you, and I can’t blame them.”
“My brothers will learn I’m a grown man. They might have left when I was a kid, but I’m far from the scared little boy I used to be.” With small strokes, he traced circles over Tash’s hand with the pad of his thumb. “I can take care of myself. And as for changing my mind”—he stopped speaking and pulled Tash close, their lips barely brushing—“what part of ‘not going to happen’ don’t you understand?” He traced the seam of Tash’s lips with his tongue. “I want you so badly I ache from it.”
Tash’s breath hitched, and Brandon pressed on, nuzzling against Tash’s neck.
“I’m so hard right now. All you’d have to do is touch me, and I’d come. I won’t hide my feelings for you in front of my family or yours.” A thought struck him at that moment. “When am I going to meet your sister?”
Tash blinked and cleared his throat as he moved back to his seat. “Probably tomorrow. She’s coming to the center with everyone else.” He opened his door, effectively ending the conversation. Brandon got out, and together they each took a suitcase from the back of the car and walked up the path to the brightly lit house.
As a child growing up, Brandon had read stories of homes like these; though it was late fall, the yard still maintained an appearance of life, with evergreen bushes dotting the garden beds. Brandon could imagine in the summer there might be a profusion of colorful flowers lining the walkway. The dove-gray paint was fresh looking, and inside, Brandon could see the sheer white curtains draping the sparkling windows.
Unexpected nerves shot up his spine, and his steps faltered.
“Don’t be nervous.” Tash squeezed his free hand.
Brandon threw him a grateful smile. “Am I that obvious?”
“Nah.” Another reassuring squeeze, then Tash dropped his hand. “But I know how I’d feel if it were me. Don’t worry, though. Esther will have you thinking you’ve lived there for years before the evening is finished.” He set the suitcase down on the porch and rang the doorbell.
There was a rattling of the inner door, and the window curtain parted, revealing Esther’s smiling face. Right behind her were Drew and Ash, flanking her like two sentries.
Several locks turned, and then the door opened to a small inner vestibule, paneled in wood, with pretty painted murals on the wall. Ash and Drew stepped back into the house to allow them to enter.
“Oh come in, sweetheart. I’m so glad you’re here.” Brandon picked up his suitcase as Esther took his free hand and led him into the house.
“I hope you’re hungry. Esther always makes a delicious Friday night dinner.” Ash sniffed the air in appreciation. “Smell that? It’s roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal by Esther.”
For Brandon, who couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a home-cooked meal like this, it smelled like heaven. He and Tash set his suitcases down by the staircase.
“Oh Asher, you’re trying to butter me up to get some extra dessert. You don’t need to do that, dear.” She patted his arm, and the loving look Brandon saw pass between his brother and the elderly lady sent tears rushing to Brandon’s eyes. Blinking madly, he followed the other people to the back of the house, presumably where the kitchen was located.
Esther’s huge kitchen was a bustle of activity. A tall woman was at the stove, stirring something in a pot, while Jordan lounged at the table. A large dog lay at Jordan’s feet. When he entered, the dog sat up and wandered over to him. After sniffing his shoes and giving him an assessing stare from intelligent eyes, she licked his hand and padded back to the table.
Esther beckoned to the woman, who put down the wooden spoon to face Brandon. “This is Louisa. She’s the live-in companion my grandchildren were lucky enough to find.” Her dark eyes met his, and they shared a smile.
“Hello.” Her voice held the lilt of a Jamaican accent.
“Hello, Louisa.” Brandon reached out to shake her hand. Her grip was warm and solid. “Nice to meet you.” Something didn’t make sense. “I’m sorry, Esther, I thought I was coming to stay here to be with you.”
“After I invited you to stay, Drew reminded me I’d need someone here during the day while you’re at work and at nights or on weekends while you’re out having fun.” She patted Louisa’s arm with affection, and the woman returned the look. “The boys were lucky enough to find Louisa. She’s teaching me how to make Jamaican patties and roti, and I’m giving her my recipes for brisket and apple strudel.”
Brandon remained confused. “So why do you need me here?”
The color rose in her face. “Well, I hated the thought of you living in one little room while I have so much space, and this way you’ll get to see the others all the time.” A defensive note crept into her voice. “I like having the house filled with young people.”
Drew kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “Congratulations, Brandon, you’ve become another victim of my grandmother’s subtle maneuverings, done so cleverly you never knew what hit you.”
“Accept it in the good spirit it was given.” Ash chuckled. “There’s an entire apartment in the basement with a separate side entrance for you. I’ll go put your bags in there.”
Luke walked in and greeted him. “Good. We were wondering when you were going to get here.” They hugged briefly; then they both sat at the round wooden table. Suddenly ravenous, Brandon reached for a breadstick from the pile wrapped in a linen napkin, inside a narrow wicker basket.
“I had to finish up stuff at school for the weekend and make sure I had everything packed and ready to go when Tash picked me up.” He broke the breadstick in two and crunched half of it down. “Damn, I’m so hungry I could eat all of these.”
“Don’t spoil your appetite,” Esther called out from her position at the stove. “Rachel and Mike will be here any minute, and we’ll be ready to sit down and eat.”
They obediently stopped sneaking bites of all the delicious food on the table. With one last toss of some candied pecans into his mouth, Jordan chewed, then swallowed, and brushed his hands together.
“So…” He grinned at Tash, who’d come to sit next to Luke after stopping to give the dog a scratch on the ears. “You two seem awfully tight these days. Anything you care to share with the rest of us?”
