Brent probably should have realized sooner that Riley was in love with him, looking back. All the signs had been there. He just hadn’t been ready to see them.
He was ready now, though.
Tom picked the ring up, closing his fist around it and the RV keys. “Fine. Where do I sign?”
Brent pushed the papers over. “I’ve marked all the places with flags.”
Tom sighed, but took the pen sitting in the middle of the table and started reading through the papers, signing where he needed to as he went.
Brent sat back, the adrenaline rush he’d been running on fading away now that things were going the way he’d hoped they would. He knew he’d crash later, but he also knew Riley would be there with cuddles and hot chocolate to help him through it.
He was still reeling from Riley handing over the keys to his RV, but he didn’t want to argue in front of Tom. Maybe he thought it was time for an upgrade. They could talk about it once Tom was gone.
Riley sat back down next to Brent while Tom signed the papers he’d been given, taking Brent’s hand again and playing idly with his fingers. He didn’t say anything the entire time, just focused on Brent, on gentle, soothing touches that were so subtle Tom probably didn’t even notice them.
Not that Brent cared if he did. Riley was what he wanted, what he’d wanted all his life, and he was okay with the entire world knowing that.
For the first time, he was starting to feel like things really were going to be okay. Like it was all over, and he was coming out the other side of it happier and better off than before.
The moment he shut the door behind Tom, Brent’s knees gave out.
Riley caught him as he stumbled, guiding him into the living room and onto the couch, where he flopped back and sank into the cushions, sighing happily as it took his weight.
Tom was gone. Gone for good. Rose had what she needed.
Brent had Riley.
He was easily getting the best deal out of all of them.
As he settled on the couch, Riley climbed on top of him, wrapping his arms around him and resting his head on Brent’s shoulder.
“You were so brave,” Riley said, playing with the hair at the back of Brent’s neck. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Why’d you give him the RV?” Brent asked. The question had been burning in his mind since Riley had first picked up the keys, and he needed an answer.
“It seemed like a neat solution,” Riley said. “I don’t need it anymore. I’m staying. And I wanted you to be sure of that, and giving it to Tom saved me having to sell it. Besides, maybe it’ll encourage him to leave quickly.”
“You’re not gonna miss it?” Brent asked. “What about all your stuff?”
“I cleared it out yesterday while you were in town,” Riley murmured. “I was always planning on getting rid of it. And yeah, I’ll miss it. I miss it already. But I love you, and you have every reason to be afraid that I’ll get up and leave, because that’s what I’ve always done. Now it’d be a lot harder for me to do that.”
“You didn’t have to,” Brent said, though knowing that Riley wasn’t just going to drive off one daywascomforting. He believed Riley when he said he wanted to be with Brent now, that he was ready to make a home here, but… Riley ran away. It was what he did.
The gesture meant a lot.
“I wanted to,” Riley said. “You deserve commitment, and I’m giving it to you.”
“I don’t deserve you,” Brent said, settling his hands on Riley’s hips.
Riley wriggled closer, turning his head to press a kiss to Brent’s neck. “No. You deserve a much better person.”
“There is no better person,” Brent murmured. “Not that I’ve ever met, anyway.”
Riley laughed at that. “I’ll work on being better for you before youdomeet someone like that.”
“You’re the best I could ask for,” Brent said. “I love you. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
Riley hummed softly. “Maybe neither of us gives ourselves enough credit.”
“Maybe,” Brent agreed. Riley had told him that often enough. “Maybe we’ll learn to.”
Riley sat back, reaching out to brush Brent’s hair back. “I’ll make you love yourself if it’s the last thing I ever do.”
“Okay,” Brent said. “Is it cool if I love you in the meantime?”
Riley smiled the brightest, most sincere smile Brent had ever seen on him. “I can live with that.”
