“Where are we?” he asked the minute he got out of his car.
“This is one of my favorite restaurants. But, don’t tell my nonna when you meet her. They cater to every palate.”
Stephen appreciated that Brenden seemed to be trying to make a conscious effort where he was concerned, even after everything that’d happened between them. They walked in and waited to be seated. They didn’t speak until after they had ordered their drinks and appetizers. Stephen set his menu to the side for later and looked at Brenden.
“I didn’t know that you liked motorcycles,” he stated.
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me,” Brenden said with a smile. “But I’ve been riding them since I could drive, scares my mother to death every time she sees me ride.”
“I understand her fear,” Stephen told him.
“So, tell me something, how come I haven’t seen any of your sketches hanging on your walls?” Brenden asked before taking a sip of his drink.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve had the time to sketch. With work and being a single parent, it takes a back seat to everything else. Also, I haven’t been inspired lately.”
“You should start again. I remember you being pretty good,” he complimented.
“I think you and my dad are the only two people who think that.”
“I doubt it.”
Stephen didn’t know how to respond to that. Brenden was the only man he had ever felt free and open with. His sketches was something he kept to himself. It was by accident Brenden found one when they were dating before. It was a few months after the adoption and he’d moved in with Julian and Nick before they discovered his talent. Even at a young age, he would draw any and everything that came to his mind. As he got older his talent improved.
“So how do we do this?” Brenden asked, pulling him away from his thoughts.
“Do what?”
“You, me, and the kids?” he clarified.
Stephen picked up his glass, taking a sip, stalling for time. “I don’t know how, honestly. When I found out I was pregnant again by the same man, I figured it must be a sign the universe was trying to tell me something. So, I accepted my uncle’s offer and put in for the transfer. I want you to know, I didn’t come here with the expectation of us being together.”
The server came back with their appetizers and took their orders, leaving them alone.
“I’m starting to believe you after the fifth or sixth time you told me,” Brenden admitted. “When Jaxson was in a similar situation with Christen, I give him advice on what to do. And now I’m here, in the same position somewhat, and I’m out of fucking ideas on what to do.”
“What kind of advice did you give him?” Stephen asked with sincere interest.
Brenden put his fork down, giving Stephen his undivided attention. “I told him to get to know Christen, see him as a friend and if things develop from there so be it. But, I don’t think it will work with us.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I don’t think… no, I know I don’t simply want to be your friend, I want to be more. I think I’ve always wanted a future with you and when you told me about Nicholas and the baby, my initial reaction was to freak out because I couldn’t believe it was happening.”
Stephen tried not to read too much into Brenden’s words. He’d said them so many times in the past few weeks, but he was hoping it meant something more. “There’s nothing to say we can’t start from scratch; I know I hurt you by keeping Nicholas a secret from you. But I thought I was giving you what you wanted.”
** ** ** ** **
“You’ve apologized enough already.” Brenden took one of Stephen’s hands in his. “And I believe you.”
“But do you forgive me?”
Brenden didn’t answer right away. “Only if you forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Stephen whispered.
Brenden said nothing, there was no reason to argue. “I guess I was right then.”
“About what?” Stephen asked.
