The “you don’t have to” dried on my tongue, because we were both aware of how her appearance had splashed cold water on our afterglow. A reminder for both him and me that we were playing with fire.
He moved past me, and I reached to grab his hand.
I couldn’t let him go like this.
“Can we hang out again?” I asked, hoping he understood that I wanted more of this. His quick wit and bright smiles, his sexy as fuck body, just…him. “Like a date?” My cheeks grew hot at the mention, and Rory’s gorgeous blues softened.
“Dunno,” he said, the teasing note a comfort. “I notoriously don’t date.”
“I’ll make it worth your while,” I promised, even though I wasn’t sure if I could deliver on that front. Rory was hot and young and out, and I was older and in the closet and had fucked for the first time in years last night.
His eyes gleamed with heat as he gave me a slow scan over. “Well, I can verify that’s true.” He pivoted on his heel and began walking down the hall, but he glanced back at me. “If you want to roll the dice, I won’t say no.”
All too fast, he’d slipped out of my apartment, the door shutting with a gentle click.
That hadn’t been a yes, but it hadn’t been a no either.
Rory was more than just a fascination and awakening for me. And after experiencing the high of what being with Rory Brannon was like, I had to try.
No matter the consequences.
Chapter fifteen
Rory
“You’re to blame for this mess of people in my space,” Declan said, looking as delighted as ever. His arms were crossed in front of him, and he gave me a level stare, currently barring me entry.
“Come on, it’s not even more than a family brunch,” I said, mirroring his stance. “Besides. I need help.”
Declan heaved a sigh. “Fine, but I’m not offering advice. I’ll make some tea and then I’m keeping my distance.” With that, Declan turned and disappeared inside his house…that I happened to have invited our siblings to. Only a handful had answered my emergency text, but it was more than Dec liked to have over. His preference was one. Maybe two if he was feeling gracious toward his boyfriend.
When I’d left Wyatt’s apartment, my head was full of bees. I’d never been in the closet—or closed off in the bedroom—so having to hide made my gut churn. And then Wyatt had turned me upside down with the whole mention of a “date.” Did he want to keep me in the dark ornot? Did he realize dates were public things? That eventually Harper would find out?
I’d wanted to blurt the truth to her every time I saw her, so if we continued this any longer, I’d need to tell her and soon. I wouldn’t survive otherwise.
I ran my fingers through my hair, regretting bringing my siblings into this, even though I needed advice. Because for the first time in…well, ever, I was contemplating going on a date with someone. Wondering over our future when I’d figured I’d never have one that involved a partner.
Declan’s house was already brimming with more noise than he preferred, but I wasn’t a total asshole—I’d kept it to just family and okayed it with Noah and Dec ahead of time, even if Declan had grumbled. I couldn’t have everyone over to my house because August worked with Harper too, so my brother would just have to deal. I turned the corner, and Ollie and Cor waited in the living room with Noah. True to form, Declan had vanished into his kitchen to prepare tea, probably just for himself.
“Where are your significant others?” I asked, peering around as if I’d catch sight of Liam or Felix.
“Over at Felix’s brother’s,” Cor explained, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “They’re doing a game night tonight.”
“But I sure as fuck wasn’t going to pass up on this,” Ollie said, cupping the back of his head, his arms bent as he rested on the couch.
Noah shook his head. “Dec’s going to kill you, Rory. You know he needs like a week’s notice before people descend here.”
“Psh, we’re not people,” I said, taking a seat on the ground and leaning against the coffee table.
“You know we have chairs, right?” Noah gestured to the recliner on the opposite side of the room.
“I’ll be shifting somewhere else in a second,” I commented.
“Classic ADHD kid,” Ollie teased.
I snorted. Not wrong. Whether I was on meds depended on where I was at in life, but honestly, I’d found my shit easier to manage ever since I’d left school and started working at the shop. Piercing allowed me the variety I needed, the constant change and movement that kept my brain calmer.
“Okay, but you gathered us here, so I need to know what’s going on.” Ollie was golden-retriever eager, which I expected. Cor had always been the chill one in the family, and Declan just removed himself from the equation in most instances. However, Dec had already showed up on the opposite side of the room, leaning against the doorframe and sipping a cup of tea.
