“You have to eat,” Riley said, tucking his phone back in his pocket. “And I’ve started putting things right and cancelling stuff locally, but I need some information from you to handle the rest of it. I’ll do all the work, I just need you to answer questions.”
Brent looked up, surprised that Riley was already on top of things. Already thinking ahead.
He shouldn’t have been surprised. Riley had all the responsibility instincts of an older brother. It was why they were so close in the first place. He only seemed irresponsible to people who didn’t know him.
Riley always had a plan. Or at least, if not a plan, a habit of charging in anyway and getting things done. That was just who he was.
That was who Brent was, most of the time. Just not right now.
Riley would take care of him.
As much as he hated the idea of relying on anyone, he knew that if he had to, Riley was his best option. Riley had never let him down yet.
“I can answer questions,” Brent said. He really didn’t want to face anyone—even Emily, who he loved more than anything—but he’d have to eventually. Wallowing never helped.
“Do you want me to go while you get dressed, or do you want me to stay?”
Brent hesitated, unsure what the answer to that was. Riley was so soothing that he almost couldn’t bear to ask him to leave, but on the other hand, he’d been embarrassed enough today. His boxer-briefs were maintaining what was left of his dignity.
It wasn’t as though Riley hadn’t seen him mostly naked before, but Brent wasn’t quite ready to strip off in front of him. Not today.
“You know what? You look tired. How about instead of dinner, I make you a hot chocolate and you can sip it and take a nap. Dinner will reheat.”
Brent breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe Riley was reading all the signs that he absolutely wasn’t ready to face the world, but as long as he didn’t say that out loud, Brent could pretend that wasn’t what was happening.
Tiredness sounded like a great excuse right now. It wasn’t even untrue.
“Yeah, I’m exhausted. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”
“Okay. New plan, then. You get into bed, and I’ll be back in a second.”
Brent breathed a sigh of relief. Bed sounded way easier than facing the world.
“Thanks,” he said, shifting his weight. “I wanna see that text when I get up.”
Riley shrugged. “It’s for you, as far as I’m concerned. I just didn’t want to shove it in your face.” He wet his lips. “She does say sorry.”
Brent huffed softly. “Yeah, well. We’re all sorry.”
The floorboards creaked as Riley took a step toward the door. “Hey, I love you,” Riley said. “Notallis lost.”
A wry smile tugged at the corner of Brent’s mouth, surprising him. He hadn’t thought he’d be able to smile for anything.
“I love you too, man,” Brent responded. “Thanks for being here.”
“Always. You know you only ever need to call.”
Brent nodded. Riley had always come when he asked.
He’d just never felt like he could ask nearly as often as he’d wanted Riley around. “I know.”
Brent watched the door swing closed behind Riley’s retreating back, swallowing when he heard the latch click shut. He missed Riley already, and he didn’t really want to be alone, but hedidneed a nap.
Riley would be back in a few minutes, and then he wouldn’t be alone. Riley would stay until he fell asleep if Brent asked. It wouldn’t have been the first time.
All Brent had to do was close his eyes and wait.
