“I know you have to keep some things to yourself, Leo, because not even a week ago, we were the enemies, but you have to talk to someone,” Evander says, squeezing my shoulder.
I scrub a hand down my face. “I get that. I just don’t want to say something I’m not supposed to.”
He nods and looks off at the view from the patio. There’s so much land in between that you can barely see the big ass gate surrounding the house in the distance. There’s a giant swing on the side where you can see the entire city below. I can’t imagine growing up in a situation where you have to be surrounded by a massive fence and guards. The same way my brothers grew up.
“What’s the deal with Gage?” Evander finally asks. He can sense my reluctance to talk about it. “We won’t judge you.”
“We might give you shit, but we won’t judge.” Mateo grins, putting me at ease.
“I can’t explain it,” I say, thinking about all the times he’s barely touched me on accident or vice versa and my immediate reaction to it. And now I’ve had a small taste of what he has to offer. “I’m attracted to him.”
“On a sexual level?” Evander asks curiously.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Gage is happily bisexual with experience.”
“So, you’re intimidated by that,” Mateo says, and it’s not a question because he’s right.
“Well, yeah. He knows what the fuck he’s doing, and I don’t even know why I’m attracted to him.”
“Sometimes people catch our eye, and we can’t explain it,” Evander remarks with a faraway look. Is he talking about himself?
“Do you think I’m crazy for considering it?”
“Does Alessa care?” Evander asks, and it’s a fair question; I shake my head. “Then no. Do what makes you happy, brother.”
“Have either of you…?” I let the question hang in the air.
Mateo shrugs. “I have.”
Just like that, open and honest. I’ve never had siblings, but finding Evander and Mateo was one of the highlights of my life. They might try to protect me from most things, but they never hide anything.
I look at Evander, and he shakes his head. He still has that look in his eyes, a look I’ve never seen before. It’s like he’s thinking of someone, one that hurt him. I don’t want to ask and ruin the night, so I file it away to ask later.
“Things…progressed today,” I say and then sigh. “It more than progressed.”
“Are you fine with that?” Mateo asks, leaning his arm on the table.
“Yeah. I didn’t think I would be, but Gage somehow makes it easy.”
“That’s how it should be,” Evander says.
I feel a little better getting it off my chest. My brothers are the only ones I have to talk to, and I’m glad they’re open with me.
We lapse into silence then the patio door busts open. “Pretty girl,” Gage says, holding his hands up like he’s warding off a dangerous animal, and from the look on Alessa’s face, he is. This should be good.
“Don’t pretty girl me,” she says and shoves him in the chest hard enough to make him stumble. What the hell did he do?
Gage laughs and then tries to cover it up. “I’m sorry.”
“I thought we were done with the stupid pranks after you dyed Ryder’s hair pink,” she says, pushing him again.
Mateo barks a laugh. “He did what now?”
“Oh, he almost fucking killed me,” Gage says, oblivious to the fact he’s two wrong moves from going in the pool fully clothed.
“He taped a fucking air horn to the bottom of my office chair, so when I sat down, I almost shit myself.”
Gage finally loses his battle and doubles over in laughter. Alessa takes two precise steps forward and shoves his shoulders, causing him to stand up. She plants a foot in the middle of his chest, giving him a firm shove. He hits the pool with a splash causing everyone else to laugh.
