“No, but you are gonna do the acroyoga seminar with me.”
“I am?”
Chase cringed. “I mean, if you want to…”
Realization dawned on Tobias’ face. “You won the bet today. Fuck. Should have specified the crying needed to be during the workout.”
“Gotta love a loophole,” Chase said, smiling awkwardly. “But if you don’t want to go through with it, I won’t make you.”
“Nah, I’ll go. A bet’s a bet. And I would have made you go through with it if I won,” he said, an unexpected twinkle in his eye.
“Did you actually figure out what you wanted from me?”
Tobias took a deep breath before answering smugly. “I’ll have to save it for another time.”
Chase smiled as his mind raced with Tobias’ possible desires. He injected as much charm into his words as he could.
“I can’t wait,” he said, then turned serious. “Are you okay to get home?”
Tobias’ eyes widened as he considered Chase’s question.
“Yeah, I’ll be okay, thanks. Might need a nap later, but I can make it home.”
“Okay, good. If you need anything else in the meantime, I’m only a text away.”
Relief settled on Tobias’ face.
“Thank you. I might take you up on that.”
Chase could only hope he would.
————————
Chase walked up to the diner, spotting his brother waiting outside for him.
His breath escaped his lungs in a whoosh when he laid eyes on Shawn Townsend.
A few years older than Chase, Shawn already had touches of silver at the temples in his brown hair, but otherwise appeared exactly the same. He was as lean as Chase, but a few inches taller—something Shawn used to tease him about. Shawn’s jeans were tighter than he’d expected, showing off his long legs, and he was bundled up in a fancy leather jacket, braving the cold as he waited outside for Chase.
Shawn fiddled with his phone as Chase walked toward him, and he clocked the exact moment Shawn noticed him approaching.
Chase stilled, incapable of taking another step forward.
Shawn was dumbstruck, and immediately walked straight to Chase.
“Chase,” he started, his voice cracking. “I’m so glad you came.”
He couldn’t speak through the lump in his throat, his eyes burning as they began to water. All he could do was nod.
The motion broke whatever barrier kept Shawn at a distance. He closed the gap and wrapped Chase in a hug that made him feel like a little kid again. Safe in his big brother’s arms.
For so long, they had been a team. Dealing with the fights between their parents by hiding together, Shawn distracting Chase with silly games and activities. It was like no time had passed, like that fateful day between them had never happened.
It took Chase a moment to hear the apologies Shawn muttered into his hair as he held him.
“I’m so sorry, Chase. I was so wrong. You’re perfect the way you are, the way God made you. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Chase ducked his head into Shawn’s neck, where he usually hid from his parents’ shouts, and let his tears fall.
