“Yeah.”
He could hear the smile in Z’s voice. “I’m happy for you, kid. Really happy.”
“You’re not gonna question it?”
“Question what? That you fell in love with a man? Why would I?”
“Like you said, I’ve never dated a man before.”
“So? The heart wants what it wants, does it not?”
That wasn’t the first time he’d heard that.
“Do me a favor, Z. Don’t tell Mom or Jen, please.”
“It’s your story to tell, kid. But I might have to make a trip to Coyote Ridge. Check out this guy. Make sure he’s good enough for my little brother.”
Reese laughed. “I’ll buy you a beer when you do.”
“About the holidays, Reese. We’d like you to make it up this way this year.”
He knew he wouldn’t get out of this without Z requesting his presence.
“Thanksgiving or Christmas. Both if you can.”
“Let me talk to Brantley and I’ll let you know.”
He could hear another smile in Z’s voice when he said, “Well, now that you completely blew my mind with your good news, I guess I’ll get back to what I was doin’. Talk to you later.”
Reese disconnected the call, stared up at the apartment ceiling. That hadn’t been nearly as difficult as he had imagined it would be. He had been a bit surprised that Z hadn’t questioned him about it, though. That was what Reese feared the most. People wanting to know how it was possible to have spent his entire life chasing women only to find himself in love with a man.
He didn’t mind the questions so much. It was the answers he feared. There was no explanation.
It just happened.
Reese smiled. Maybe that was what he would tell them if and when they asked.
Chapter Twenty
Friday, October 30, 2020
On Friday morning, Brantley woke alone in his bed. No sooner did his eyes open than he reached for Reese only to find the man wasn’t there. Only a few nights out of a week and a half that the man spent a night at his own place and Brantley was left wanting the comfort he was afforded by having him there. This was morning three he’d woken up without Reese and he couldn’t deny he wasn’t fond of it.
Yeah, he said it. He wanted Reese in his bed every night.
Brantley automatically reached for his phone, checked for text messages. There weren’t any. Why? Because it was still too damn early.
Disappointed, but not exactly sure why, Brantley forced himself out of bed, pulled on his running shoes. He was out the door, realizing again he missed Reese’s presence. The man had been joining him on his morning runs and he missed him.
Damn it.
Although it felt like it took longer than it did, he managed to make the five-mile route, returning to the empty house. Once inside, he grabbed a bottle of water, hit the showers. Twenty minutes later, he walked into the kitchen to confirm that, yes, that was bacon he had smelled when he’d been in the bathroom. He’d thought he was hallucinating at the time.
Good to know he wasn’t and all the better because of the man working diligently in his kitchen.
Yep, Brantley loved this man. He missed him when he wasn’t around, thought about him even when he was. He knew it was time they took the next step in their relationship and he only hoped Reese would be on board with his plan.
Pausing to admire the man in his kitchen, Brantley watched as Reese moved easily between the stove and the island, prepping one of his delicious meals. He noticed Reese’s dark hair was getting longer, a little shaggier on the top, but it was a good look for him. He was sporting his regular attire: a T-shirt (today’s was dark blue) that accentuated his finely toned upper body, jeans that encased a rather impressive ass, and boots that gave him that country-boy vibe. Reese truly was a fine specimen.
And yes, Brantley was overcome with the same desire to strip the man naked that he experienced every time he saw him.
Yet he refrained.
“What’s this?” he asked, going for nonchalant as he moved closer to the island.
Reese looked up, grinned, and that sexy smirk made his lips itch to kiss him.
Again, he refrained.
“Good mornin’,” Reese greeted.
“It’s definitely headin’ that direction, sure,” he replied, moving over so he could greet Reese appropriately.
A quick peck on the mouth was all he could get in before Reese was back to finishing up the meal.
“Can I help?”
“Yes. You can have a seat at the table.”
Brantley looked around. “The table?”
“Outside.”
Ah. Right. The only table he had was on the patio.
Because it was clear Reese didn’t need help, Brantley headed outside. The sky was just beginning to lighten as the sun peeked at the horizon, which explained why the porch lights were on. He came to a stop when he saw there was a white linen tablecloth on the table, as well as a decanter of orange juice, another of iced water. There were glasses, silverware, napkins, even a candle.
