He liked the idea that Blake had grown up feeling safe despite being gay. He hadn’t had the same luxury, but he wished that everyone did. It explained a lot about why he was shy in so many ways, but confident enough to be out and proud all the time.
“Rusty’s just being Rusty,” Blake spoke up. “Did you need something?”
Rusty knew enough about Blake to know thatdid you need somethingwas a politefuck off.
Maybe he was still on edge after talking to his father, even though it’d been hours ago now, but he wouldn’t have been inclined to be polite at the moment. It was probably best that Blake was taking over.
“I just…” Chris sighed. “I’m not good at this stuff, but I’m glad you’re here. For Megan, for the wedding, but also… here, now, because it’s nice to feel like maybe I’m part of the family? I’m not sure what I’m trying to say, but I appreciate you coming.”
Blake’s features softened, a soft, genuine smile spreading over his face. “If you hurt my sister, she’ll kill you. I won’t even have a chance. But she seems to love you, so you’re fine by me.”
“Thanks,” Chris said, his shoulders slumping. “I’ll leave you guys alone.”
Rusty didn’t stick his tongue out at him as he left, which he felt was a show of incredible maturity.
“What a knob,” Rusty murmured once Chris was out of earshot.
Blake chuckled darkly, sipping his water. “Megan loves him. I’m sure he’s fine. She’s historically had good taste and a low threshold for bullshit. She was so popular in school. She’s used to taking her pick of men. He must have something worth keeping.”
“He seems very stable,” Rusty said.
“And bystable, you meanboring. And I agree. But I’m not the one marrying him.” Blake shrugged. At least that was one thing he could say for himself. He hadn’t married someone boring.
Rusty grinned at that. “Nah, you’ve got way better taste.”
“It’s your humility that I like best,” Blake said without missing a beat.
Rusty laughed, his heart twinging at the reminder of how much he liked being around Blake.
How much he liked kissing him.
And how kissing inevitably lead to touching, and holding, and…
Everything else.
With Blake sitting right next to him, warm and cheerful and even more gorgeous than ever, it was hard not to remember. Not to think about some of the best days of his life.
Of course, Rusty wasn’t stupid. He knew that they were the best days of his life because he hadn’t stuck around long enough to find out all the ways that Blake wasn’t right for him, all the little quirks and weirdnesses that would have annoyed him too much for anything long-term.
His memory of Blake felt so perfect because it was short. That was all there was to it.
He still wanted to kiss him again.
But he wouldn’t. Blake probably wouldn’t appreciate it, and it’d only hurt to walk away if he ended up with more perfect memories.
“Let’s make a dent in that bar tab,” Rusty said, standing. “What’re you drinking these days?”
He remembered Blake drinking whatever he did back then, and quietly confessing after that he had no idea what he was doing, but hehatedbeer.
Which was the only thing Rusty had ordered the entire time.
He’d felt so guilty about that, but Blake hadn’t seemed upset. Blake had followed him around like the world’s most adorable puppy, and Rusty had loved every minute of it.
He’d done everything he could think of to keep Blake’s interest, and been shocked every time it worked.
“The most fruity, unnaturally-colored cocktail available,” Blake said. “Thank you.”
“That’s what husbands are for,” Rusty said, winking at him.
He was getting the hang of this married life thing. It was a shame it’d be over so quickly.
