“I’m thinking of having the detective have a romantic relationship. With another man. There’d be no sex, just the talk of the two realizing the connection and growing close.” Casually, his gaze traveled over the group of men. “Would you still read it?”
Sal was the first to speak. “Yeah. I would.” He turned quiet for a moment. “When my Valerie was in the hospital with cancer, I’d be there with her. She always loved reading those romance books—I’d tease her about all that schmoopy stuff, and she’d say, ‘What’s wrong with bein’ in love and having a happily ever after?’ So I’d bring them when I’d come to see her, and since she couldn’t hold them ’cause she was too weak, I’d read them to her.” He wiped his eyes. “And she was right. It was nice to see the people happy at the end ’cause life can be shit sometimes.”
“That’s beautiful.” Colson blinked at the burning in his eyes. “And I agree. Love has the potential to change people.”
David made a grunting noise, and Harper wiped his face. Colson could see the men were too polite to ask, but their eyes were filled with questions.
“David was injured when he was a child, and he lives with Harper and his aide.”
Harper acknowledged them with a brief nod as he helped David with the straw for his apple juice.
“Whoa, that’s a rough road.” Arnie’s brow furrowed. “But I gotta give you tons of respect there. I know it can’t be easy.”
Harper set the juice box down and finally addressed the group. “Life isn’t easy, and we’re not promised anything. But he’s my brother—my only family. I’d walk through fire for him.”
“Of course you would. That’s what you do for family,” Bert agreed, and the other men nodded. “Anything and everything.”
“Yes.” Harper’s eyes glimmered, and Colson took his hand.
Sal said, “Seeing you with your brother makes me think maybe the world ain’t such a crappy place after all. So many people would put your brother in a home and just visit him. You walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”
“I’m trying.”
“You succeed.” Colson squeezed his hand.
“So long, Colson. Harper.” And to Colson’s surprise, all three men surrounded David’s chair and waved to him.
“Bye, David.”
When David smiled sweetly in response, the men couldn’t stop talking about it.
“Did you see? He smiled back at us,” they all chattered among themselves.
Harper nudged him. “Your pizza’s cold.”
“Yeah, but my heart is warm. There really are some good people in this world.”
Harper leaned in and kissed him. “Yeah, there are. Let’s take the rest home, and we can heat it up. I’ll go get a box.”
He left them alone, and Colson tidied up around the table. He sat in front of David. “I hope you had fun today. Do you like that I was here all weekend? I care for your brother…I love him. I want that to be okay with you.”
David grunted, hands twitching, and his head swayed back and forth. Afraid he’d done something wrong, Colson rushed to reassure David. “Don’t worry. Nothing is going to change. You and Harper will always be together.”
“What’s wrong?” Harper set the pizza box on the table.
“I don’t know. I was just asking David if he enjoyed himself and assured him that nothing was going to change between you and him.”
Harper crouched by David’s chair. “That’s right, buddy. I’m still going to be there for you. Me and Luis. But now Colson too.”
David’s fingers curled, and Colson’s heart shriveled.
“He doesn’t want that. I see it now. He’s upset that I’ve stayed all weekend.”
“I don’t believe that. Let’s go home. It’s been a busy day.”
The ride was quiet, and while Harper took care of David, Colson packed up his bag. He sat on the bed, wondering if their relationship was over before it had a chance to get off the ground. He sighed and went downstairs.
Harper and David were in the kitchen, and Harper’s gaze zeroed in on his overnight bag. “Going somewhere?”
