“Neither am I.”
“Sure.” I pulled out a cigarette and got to my feet. “Smoke?”
He eyed me for a moment before following me to the balcony. We stood outside, and I lit the cigarette and took a deep drag before handing it to him.
He frowned for a moment before smoking.
“I’m not gay,” he repeated.
“That’s my bad, Scott. I meant bi.”
“I’m not bi either,” he muttered, handing the smoke back to me. “I just… love my brothers. I like feeling good. I like them feeling good. It’s not like I’m out on the street, checking out dude ass or anything. I’m just… fluid, I guess. If everyone is down for it, then I am too.”
I took the cigarette and let out a soft laugh.
“It makes no difference to me what gets you off. Just treat my wife right, and we won’t have any problems.”
He winced at my words.
“Wife.” He sighed and shook his head. “Fuck, she should be my wife. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve proposed to her? How many times she’s told me no? Shit starts to chip away at the old self-esteem after, like, the fourth no.”
I took a hit off the cigarette, the cherry glowing brightly in the moonlight. I blew out a cloud of smoke and handed the cigarette back to him.
Sighing again, he took it.
“I’m going to have to get nicotine patches if I keep hanging out with you dickheads,” he muttered, taking another drag. “Going to give me a fucking addiction.”
I chuckled at that. “Yeah, Evan got me started again on them. It’s stressful right now, so I’m letting it happen. We’ll quit once shit is over. Takes the edge off. As for Rosalie, give her time. She’s scared,” I said.
He nodded glumly. “I know she is. I’m not that piece of shit guy anymore though. I love her. Like I deeply fucking love her. I want her. I’m just trying to navigate a really shitty situation right now. So please, give me some time.”
“Time is yours,” I said, looking over at him. “Take what you need. I have a feeling it’ll all work out in the end.”
“Yeah?”
“Sure. I’m already married to her. I know I’m not going anywhere.” I clapped him on the back and took the cigarette from him.
“You really are a prick,” he said.
“I am.” I grinned at him. “But I love her endlessly too. Be nice to Ryder, would you? He’s a good guy.”
“You’re trying my patience.” He groaned. “I’m already struggling with Ass Hat, you, and now Ryder? Fuck, I’m going to go insane.”
“Heard your family specializes in insanity.” I winked at him.
“Fuck off,” he muttered, snatching the cigarette back from me and finishing it off. “God, what a fucking nightmare, man. Damnit.”
“Could be worse.”
“How?” he asked.
“You could be without her. Practice gratitude. It’ll get you further.”
“Gratitude.” He scoffed. “You’re right. Fuck. You’re a nightmare too.”
I laughed. “Am I?”
“I always thought you were a prick. You’re actually… nice.”
