“Besides, they’re letting you live in this massive place rent-free.”
“They just want to keep me close in case I turn out to be a monster in disguise.”My smile falls, and he points at me and continues, “Don’t try to deny it, Taz.”
I sigh, and we both stand up.“They don’t trust anyone.”
“They trust you now, Mr.Big-Time Agent.”He lightly punches my belly, and I giggle.
“I’m not officially an agent!”I say, as he proceeds to tickle me.When I pull him off, his laughter dies in his throat as he studies me.
“All of these changes.I’m so…gutted.”
My heart breaks, and I touch his shoulder.“Listen, just because time has passed, that doesn’t change who you are to me.We’re still brothers.”
“No, not that.”He frowns and looks down.“I’m gutted that I’m the short one now.”
After a long pause, we both burst out laughing.I forgot that he missed my growth spurt at age sixteen.His growth didn’t get him higher than five-foot-seven, at most.My big brother is now shorter than me and looks younger than me.
He looks me up and down and gives my arms a squeeze.“I’m gutted I missed out on you growing up, but I’m so proud of the man you’ve become.”
My eyes prickle, and I nod.There’s not much I can say.
He turns around and adds, “But you gotta go.”
“What?”
“Taz, since I’ve been back, you’ve spent nearly every waking moment here.”He rummages through his drawers.“Buying me clothes, toiletries, a bloody laptop.”
I frown.“I had to get you started back in the real world!”
“I could have conjured it myself.”
“You can’t conjure something so complicated as a computer, magic doesn’t work like that.You think your little brother can’t buy you things?”I ask with mild irritation.
“I know you can.”He shoves on a hoodie.“And I appreciate you and the wizard cops muddling my documentation history to make it seem like I was just travelling with friends for fifteen years.”
“We don’t need the mortals sniffing around as to why you live in the States now when you were last spotted in London all those years ago,” I counter.
“And I am grateful.But you need to go back to living your life.”He peers at his reflection and fixes his dark hair.Without looking at me, he continues, “Go spend time with the man you’re shagging.”
His words have stunned me silent.
Vikrum turns around, alarm written on his face.“Oh shit, do people here not know?I assumed with the way he kept looking at you…” After studying me for a moment, he adds, “Does Girish not know?Doyounot know?”
“Of course I know I’m gay!”I wave him off, then cross my arms and look out the window.“I just…never had the chance to come out to anyone in the family.And with all the changes you’re going through, I thought…”
“Taz.You are my brother.”He grabs my shoulders again.Looking down into his brown eyes, I feel extra exposed.“Nothing will change my love and gratitude for you.You saved my life.I accept you having a boyfriend.”
I didn’t realize how badly I needed to hear those words.Not only is my brother back, but he accepts my sexuality.
“Now I’m going to go for a walk to discover Cosmo, Virginia, alone.Go hang out with your boyfriend, that handsome Black fellow who seems to really fancy you.”
As my brother walks away, I’m once again stunned silent.“Wait, what?”
“Go shag your boyfriend!”Vik’s voice echoes down the hall, and I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.I guess this is what it’s like to have banter with your brother as adults.
An hour later, I’m leaning on a wall, waiting for Luther to walk out of his apartment.I texted him that I was on my way, and now he’s here, opening the door to the sidewalk.
The man looks good in agent clothes, but he looks damn ravishing in jeans and a tank top.I can’t believe how lucky I am.
