“I already put a towel on the couch,” Holden said, grabbing the plate and a glass of water. “You’re fine.”
They sat together on the couch, the food on Holden’s lap and the water in Bryce’s hand. Bryce nestled himself against Holden’s side, eating slowly and enjoying the soft caress of Holden’s fingers against the outside of his arm. Bryce stared at their reflection in the dark TV screen, wondering how he’d gotten so lucky.
“Are you okay?” Holden asked, breath ruffling Bryce’s hair.
“Better than. That was…that was everything.”
“As good as you imagined?”
“Better.” He angled his face up for a kiss, which Holden gave him without being asked. “How are you?”
“I’m perfect.”
They ate a while longer, quiet in the companionable and safe silence of Holden’s apartment. Bryce’s lashes fluttered and he passed the water to Holden without another word. Holden set the water and the plate on the coffee table, and then opened his arms to Bryce, who burrowed against his chest like he wanted to get under Holden’s skin. He did, in a way. Not a creepy way, but in a connected way. Holden seemed to sense the need, still lingering from before. He held Bryce steady and sure until Bryce fell into a calm and peaceful sleep.
CHAPTER 21
Holden
Holden was not looking forwardto work on Tuesday, and Merrick was already at the shop by the time Holden arrived. He took a deep breath to center himself, unlocked the front door, and stepped inside. The bells on the door handle jingled, and Holden checked the clock to decide if he should lock the door from the inside or leave it ready for the day. It was five minutes before eleven, so he shoved his keys into his pocket and went straight to his station. He sat down and rolled his stool into the strip of space that separated his and Merrick’s station.
“Let’s hear it,” he said, scratching at a persistent itch on the side of his nose that wouldn’t go away.
“What?”
Holden made a broad gesture with his hand. “About seeing your brother behind your back.”
Merrick blinked at him slowly, apparently at a loss for words…for what absolutely had to be the first time ever in Holden’s experience.
“I said what I had to say when I texted you,” Merrick answered.
“What?”
Merrick rolled himself over to the middle space, his knees brushing past Holden’s as he slid in front of him.
“Would any of it make a difference?” Merrick asked. “If I said I didn’t want you to be with him?”
Holden’s body reacted viscerally, a sharp twitch of his shoulders at the thought of never having Bryce in his arms again.
“No.”
“Then what’s the point?”
Holden wasn’t sure what to say. It was more common for him to be speechless, but Merrick still laughed at him just the same.
“You like him?”
“Yes.”
I love him, Holden thought.
“Do you treat him well?”
“Yes.”
“Does he treat you well?”
“Of course,” Holden answered. “Why wouldn’t he?”