Dash held his breath, curious what was about to happen. There hadn’t seemed to be any judgment from Harrison. Emerson deserved that, especially after Randall’s reaction. He sat back down beside the bag of food and silently berated himself while he waited for Emerson to return.
18
Emerson rushed to catch up with Harrison, his stomach twisting painfully. While his brother hadseemedokay with what he’d seen, it might’ve been an act. Harrison had too much integrity to explode in front of someone whose last name wasn’t Walker. Those were saved for private moments. His brother would never air family drama in public.
He was still reeling from Randall throwing him out and couldn’t handle another brother’s loss. Emerson wouldn’t let Harrison walk away without knowing they were actually okay. He wasn’t expecting full acceptance—but the possibility that Harrison would keep an open mind was the only way he’d sleep that night.
“Harry!”
Harrison paused midstride and turned to face him. He’d stopped near an arc of light from a security post at the end of the dock. Emerson jogged up and searched his brother’s face for hints to his thinking.
They stared at one another a few seconds, the silence growing awkward. Emerson shoved his hands into his pockets, his mind going blank. What the fuck did he say? He opened his mouth to explain things, but nothing came out.
Harrison gave him a weak smile. “It’s okay, Em. We can have a couple of beers and shoot the shit another night.”
Emerson winced, dragging his gaze from Harrison’s knowing one. “You know that’s not why I came to talk.”
“I know,” Harrison said, his tone low. “But you don’t owe me an explanation.”
“I do.”He lifted his gaze to his brother.
“You don’t,” Harrison repeated. “I didn’t have to explain my sexuality, did I?”
Emerson fought against the tickle at the backs of his eyes. He forced a grin. “Well, actually… you did have to explain you were matingtwoomegas.”
Harrison snorted with laughter. “True, but only because our relationship is a little different.”
“So’s this,” Emerson said in all seriousness.
“Is it, though? It’s two men who are attracted to one another. Does it really matter that they’re both—” Harrison paused. He glanced around them before finishing,“Alphas?”
“The fact you had to check if the coast was clear answers that question.”
“Well, it doesn’t matterto me,”Harrison said. “You’re still my brother. Nothing’s changed.”
Emerson released a steady breath, the backs of his eyes prickling even more.
Harrison grinned. “You also seem to have forgotten that I was there the first time you two met. I could tell then that there was something happening. I’d already guessed you might be…you know.”
“I suspected you’d caught more than you let on.”
“You couldn’t take your eyes off him. Em.Hecouldn’t stop staring at you, either. You could literally feel the electricity in the air.”
Emerson eyed his brother, the knots in his stomach unclenching a bit.
“I only have one important question for you,” Harrison said.
Emerson stiffened. While he wasn’t out to those closest to him, he knew a few alphas who were. They all complained about one specific inappropriate question they’d been asked at least once, and he hoped like hell Harrison wasn’t about to ask it.
“Does being with him make you happy?”
Emerson chuckled, relieved not to get the expected. He met his twin’s gaze full on and nodded. “Being with him is…” His mind went to holding Dash in his arms and how right it felt. None of the others had. Just Dash. He didn’t want to let go. “He’severythingI want.”
“That’s all that matters. If this is the man who brings you joy, I’m happy for you.”
Emerson walked forward and grabbed his brother in a bear hug. Harrison wrapped his arms around him and held on tight.
“Thank you,” Emerson whispered, his voice raspy. He was overcome with the love he felt for his brother, especially when he’d been terrified of losing it for so long.
