“Hush, you,” I say and place my hand on his arm. “Who’s more romantic?”
They both look at each other as if trying to calculate their couple-dom. Brandon takes my empty plate and puts it to the side with his and kisses me on the side of the head. Something I’ve noticed, and not complained about, is his need to touch me and have me reassure him I’m comfortable.
Carter clears his throat and Brandon looks at his friend. “We’d like to answer your question.”
Brandon holds his hand out. “By all means.”
“We’re both romantic,” Carter says.
“But if you’re asking who does the bigger grand gestures, neither of us. I’m already around the flashy part of being an athlete and I didn't want any relationship that I started to be all about the grander things. For us, it’s the smaller things that make what the other is doing more romantic. Getting the other’s coffee order right, or delivering food to each other’s door because we had a late night, and giving each other space but not too much space when we need todecompress.” Miles finishes with a smile aimed at his boyfriend.
“What’s—what do you call each other? Like boyfriend-boyfriend? Partner?” I ask curiously.
“It depends on both of our moods.” They laugh together and it’s so easy to see how in sync they are.
“How long have you been out?” Brandon asks Miles, clearly concerned for his friend.
“I came out to my parents when I was sixteen. They weren’t happy at first because they claimed their chances of having a grandbaby was ruined. But I assured them I have three older sisters, who all have kids now, and that they would get their grandbabies. My family has since become very supportive of my queer identity. It’s everyone else that will have a problem.”
I rest my arms on the table and lean forward. “You haven’t toldanyoneon your team?”
“I’m sure they suspect that I’m gay, but they haven’t said anything to me. Also my sexual orientation is really none of their concern.”
“I like that,” I tell him.
“What about you two?”
I blow out a breath that ruffles my lips and look over at Brandon. He gives me a soft smile and lets me take the lead.
“Our brothers were best friends and our families ended up doing vacations together.” I give the cliff notes version.
“That’s so fun. Do your families still vacation together?” Miles asks hopefully.
Brandon and I shake our heads. “No. Um, there was an accident a couple years ago.”
Miles' eyes widen in horror. “That was?—”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry,” Miles says, and the silence is so awkward,you could cut it with a knife. “I take it you’re hiding your relationship, too?”
“We’ve been out on dates,” Brandon begins, “but we’ve made sure not to go anywhere that any of our families would frequent.”
“Is that hard?” Miles asks.
I shake my head. “Sometimes? We’ve been together for a few months. And as we get closer, it is harder to keep it from those who love us. When we’re ready, we’ll tell them.”
And we will. I know that I like Brandon more than normal. But my parents are just coming around, and his are slowly healing as well. When we know that this is more than a fling, we’ll tell them.
17
BRANDON
The steam from the kitchen faucet surrounds me as I wash the stock pot that held the pot roast. Carter offered to help me clean up while Miles and Angie talk in the living room, and I know it’s taking everything in him not to burst.
“I like seeing you happy,” I tell Carter as I hand him the pot.
“Thanks. Yeah, it’s nice to have someone. Not that you weren’t someone for me. But Miles is?—”
