“It’s what you do when you’re trying to beat around the bush,” Tyler told him.
“I don’t do that,” he defended.
“Yes, you do, you're trying to do it now. Answer my question. Why’d you want to know?”
“Honestly,” Lucas sighed and looked away from his brother. “I was curious.”
“Curiosity.” Tyler bit his bottom lip and stared at him. “Don’t get mad at me for asking this. But are you attracted to someone, and it is a man, and now you’re curious as to what sex with that person would be like?”
“Yeah, I am,” he answered truthfully.
Tyler was silent for a few minutes. “Have you guys done anything?”
“We haven’t done anything at all. Hell, I’m not even sure he has feelings for me, and I’m reading too much into things.”
“Maybe it’s nothing,” Tyler said then raised his hands in surrender when he saw the look on Lucas’ face. “Wait, let me explain.” Lucas nodded for his brother to continue. “You haven’t been out with anyone since Rebecca died and maybe what you’re feeling is the need for companionship. And whoever this guy is you’re putting your feelings on him.”
“What you’re saying is, I’m reading my own feelings wrong?” Lucas asked for clarification.
“Maybe. The only people you’ve been around the past two years areonly family and business associates and your daughter. But I will say that if you’re starting to feel something for someone, it means you are ready to move on and be with someone and either way I’m happy for you.”
Lucas sighed and scrubbed his face, running his hands through his hair dislodging a few curls that fell into his face. “Are you saying I should forget what I’m feeling and start dating and see if what I feel for this person is real or rebound?” Tyler shrugged his shoulders. He leaned forward and steepled his fingers together. “It’s not.”
“It’s not what?”
“A rebound thing, there’s a connection between us, I can feel it, Ty.”
“If you think there’s something there, then go for it, but be careful, you’re my big bro, and I just want you happy no matter who it is.”
“Thanks, little bro,” Lucas said to him.
“All right, I’m heading home.” He stood to his feet and walked to the door then stopped. “If you need more time to sort things out, Ethan and I can keep Zoi a bit longer.”
He nodded. “Hey, do me a favor, keep this between us. I don’t know what’s going to happen between me and the other person, but I don’t want to give anyone false hope.”
“You got it,” Tyler said. “And can I give you another piece of advice?”
“Would it stop you if I said no?” Lucas asked.
“Nope.” Tyler smiled.
“Fine then, let me hear it, oh sage one.”
“Lube, use lots of lube—the first time hurts. I know what you're packing, we’re brothers after all. And unless your mystery man is packing something bigger, you’re going to need to invest in lube.”
Lucas' eyes widened at the thought, not out of fear but something else—anticipation, maybe. “Do you have any recommendations?” Lucas asked seriously.
“I’ll send you a list.” Tyler snickered as he walked out of Lucas’ office.
Getlube. I can do that.
* * *
“I’ve been meaningto ask you a couple of things,” Tucker said to Lucas who was sitting on the other side of the sofa.
Tucker had been staying with him for a couple of days, and they hadn't brought up the conversation about their date-non-date yet. They’d talked about everything but that, and maybe it really was simply two friends hanging out and having a good time. After his question to his brothers a few days earlier, Lucas had done a lot of thinking. He’d always been the kind of guy to go with the flow of things. If he and Tucker were attracted to each other, he would let things happen naturally.
No sensein worrying or fighting things if there wasn’t a need for it. He’d gone with his gut when he met Rebecca, and things turned out how it was supposed to. He missed his wife and he always would, she had a large part of his heart, and he wasn’t afraid to tell how he felt.
