Page 67 of Conquest

“Actually,” Evan said, “I’m a lot like a snake. I can do it for twenty-four hours straight and I swallow everything whole. Does that help?”

Brandon jumped and spun around.

Jesse burst out laughing. “And there you have it. Anything else you want to know?”

Brandon laughed softly and held his hand out to Evan. “Sorry about that.”

Evan took Brandon’s hand and laid his other over top of it. “Don’t be. I’m flattered.”

Brandon stared at him, shocked by the warmth in Evan’s voice.

Evan let go of his hand and went to Jesse.

Jesse embraced him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “We’ve got plans tonight. We’re going to take Brandon out to celebrate. He’s just landed the role of his life playing the Phantom in a new production of The Phantom of the Opera.”

Evan turned toward Brandon. “That’s wonderful! Congratulations!”

Brandon nodded in appreciation. “Thanks.”

Evan put one arm over Jesse’s shoulders, the other around Brandon’s. “You pick the place, Brandon. Anywhere you want to go and don’t even think about prices, because it’s all on me tonight.”

Brandon suffered another moment of total shock. “You don’t have to do that.”

“But I want to and I’m going to whether you like it or not. Then afterward, you can come over to our place, and we’ll express our deepest congrats and happiness all through the night in the comfort of our king-sized bed.”

Jesse exhaled an exasperated sigh. “You really need to let that demented little fantasy go. It’s never going to happen. He’s my brother.”

Evan looked at him with a wicked smirk. “But that’s what makes it so hot. It’s so dirty and wrong.”

Brandon patted Evan on the back. “Sorry, Evan, but he’s right. However, if you’d be cool with having him stand aside and just be the cameraman, I could probably handle that.”

“Alright!” Evan laughed.

Jesse shook Evan’s arm off his shoulders and jabbed him on the chest with his index finger. “What makes you think I’d ever share you with anyone? And you,” he whirled toward Brandon and shoved the same finger under his nose, “don’t encourage his twisted sense of humor! Now c’mon! I’ve gotta introduce you to Jules and Trish.”

He snatched them both by their wrists and dragged them into the chill-out room. He listened to them snickering behind him, then stopped by the couches to introduce Brandon.

Kenny stood and hugged him. “Dude, it’s been forever.”

“I know. I heard you moved up to this side of town. I’m looking at a couple places on North Dearborn, so we’ll almost be neighbors again.”

“That’s sweet!”

Trish rose to greet Brandon, offering her hand and a flirtatious smile. “Jesse’s talked so much about you. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

Jesse caught her attempts to entice his brother. “Forget it, Trish. After years of self-deprivation, he finally decided to let himself be fully queer.”

“Damn it!” Trish dropped down on the couch. “Is that all there is in this town?”

Jesse grinned at her. “All the best ones are.”

She scowled up at him. “Obviously.”

Julian slid into Trish’s place. “I’ll take over then.” He held his hand out to Brandon. “Julian Forrester. It’s a pleasure.”

Brandon gently took Julian’s hand and presented him with his most charming smile. “Mine as well. Jess told me you attended Julliard and that you’ve played with orchestras all across the country. I can’t believe someone with so much talent would want to go slumming with him.”

“Hey!” Jesse yelled.