Jay’s face grew hot, and he swallowed hard. Had he been so awful? He remembered high school as being so much fun. Reflecting on the past, he recalled incidents that he hadn’t thought about in years. His heart dropped to his stomach at the things he’d said and then forgotten.
“I had this idea in my head of how things had been, and after what happened in the gym, I’d convinced myself that it was all your fault, that you were a bully.” Jay closed his eyes, his heart heavy. “I’m so ashamed of myself.” When he opened his eyes, he met his brother’s gaze. “I’m sorry I was so terrible to you. No wonder I drove you away.”
“I didn’t join the military because my baby brother had been a jerk to me. It was more complicated than that. I shouldn’t have said what I did that day in the gym or when I left. I was angry, and it was easy to blame you.” Finch shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “We were a couple of teenage boys with raging hormones, dealing with things the way we thought was best, thinking we knew it all. We’ve both changed a lot since then, Jaybird.”
Jay opened his mouth, but Finch stopped him.
“You have. I’ve not been around you very long, but in the short time I have been, believe me, I see it. Back then, you acted out of fear and insecurity, just as I did. It had to have been terrifying, being out in high school then, and instead of having your big brother to back you up, you had to fend for yourself. Past Jay was kind of a dick, and Current Jay is still sassy, but in a different way. He’s sweet, confident, and kind. I’ve seen the way he fusses over his family and cares about them. Current Jay also kicks ass.” Finch smiled softly, and it reached his eyes, forming creases at the corners. “I like this Jay.”
Jay smiled and sniffed, blinking the tears from his eyes. He laughed when his brother pulled him into one of his big bear hugs.
“How about we leave the past in the past and start again?”
Jay nodded, his arms wrapped around Finch. “I’d like that.” It was only now that he realized how much he’d missed his big brother. “I’m sorry I ignored your calls. That was wrong of me.”
“It’s okay. The way we’d left things, I don’t blame you. We’re here now.” He threw a hand over Jay’s shoulder, turning him and leading him back inside to the waiting room. They sat down, and Finch leaned back, smiling at him. “You got yourself one hell of a man, Jaybird. You always did have good taste.”
Jay side-eyed him, making Finch laugh. “So youwerehitting on him.”
“Yeah, but only to get a rise out of you because I knew something was going on between you two.”
“You did?”
Finch arched an eyebrow at him. “Jaybird, it couldn’t be more obvious you two had been fooling around in there. Might as well have been holding up a sign that said, ‘Just gave my man a blowjob.’”
Jay gasped, his face on fire. “Oh my God,” he hissed. “We’re in a hospital.”
Finch chuckled, then his smile faded. “He’s going to be okay.”
“He was shot saving me.”
“Like I said, one hell of a man.”
They sat in silence, and it was…nice. Comfortable. It was good to have his brother back, and he was glad Finch was staying. Jay didn’t know how long he’d sat there, lost in thought, when a doctor came out.
“Ward Kingston?”
King had been standing to one side of the doors, murmuring to Saint. He lifted a hand and walked to the doctor, motioning Jay to join him. Jay hurried over. The doctor looked from King to Jay and back.
“Mr. Ward. I have you listed as Mr. Foster’s emergency contact.”
“That’s correct.” King waited, giving Jay time to speak up if he felt comfortable enough to do so. He never assumed, which Jay appreciated.
“I’m Ryden’s boyfriend,” Jay told the doctor.
The doctor nodded. “The surgery went very well. Thankfully, there was no nerve damage, so Mr. Foster should make a full recovery. After some physical therapy, I expect he’ll regain full range of motion in his arm. He’s been moved to the post-anesthesia care unit, and once he wakes up, he’ll be taken to his room.” The doctor turned to Jay. “The nurse will let you know when you can see him.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Jay replied. King went to share the good news with the rest of the guys, and a little over two hours later, Jay was shown to Ryden’s room. He thanked the nurse as she closed the door before sitting in the chair next to Ryden’s bed. His eyes were closed, and Jay figured he was asleep.
“Hey, sweet pea,” Ryden murmured. He tapped his lips, and Jay smiled, his heart squeezing in his chest. Standing, he leaned in and kissed Ryden, loving the way he hummed in response. “Sweeter than stolen honey.”
Jay held back a smile. “You’re high right now, aren’t you?”
“High as a Georgia pine,” Ryden said, nodding. He held his right hand out, and Jay took it, lacing their fingers together. “Doesn’t change the fact that I think you’re beautiful and I love you.”
“How come I never knew how adorable you were?”
“Couldn’t see past the books you were throwin’ at me,” Ryden replied, chuckling.
