[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

did he explain his complicated relationship with Leigh?
 Dad?
Brian returned to the table and took a tentative sip of his hot coffee.  I don t refer to
myself as bisexual because your mother was the only woman I ever slept with. I fell in love
with Leigh s soul, not her body or her sex. The two of us together seemed right to me despite
her gender.
 And you know there s absolutely no chance there s another woman out there who
could make you feel the same way? Benny asked, carrying his empty bowl to the sink.
 Sorry, but no. Tell him.  Would you think less of me for getting involved with a
man?
Benny put his bowl into the dishwasher.  Do we have to talk about that now? I just
ate.
The sour expression on Benny s face felt like a punch in the stomach to Brian. He set his
cup on the table and shook his head, unable to meet Benny s gaze.  No, I guess not.
Wouldn t wanna make you sick.
 It s not that. It s just& I don t know. It makes me uncomfortable to think about you
doing stuff with another guy. I mean, you re my dad. Benny shook his head and walked out
of the kitchen, leaving Brian more confused than ever.
TO SERVICE AND PROTECT Carol Lynne
49
* * * *
With his belly full and his head resting on Pete s shoulder, Ethan tried to digest
everything Pete had just told him.  So you re saying Brian can only be with us if he sneaks
around?
 Yeah. Pete continued to play with Ethan s hair.  Although he is getting better about
meeting me places. In the beginning, he d drop by my apartment at odd hours but that was
it. Now, I think, it s more about keeping Benny in the dark.
Ethan thought of Benny. He didn t know the teenager, but he d seen him around town.
 I think it s sad. Not just for Brian but for Benny, too. How does Brian think his son will react
when he finds out his dad s been sneaking around?
 Good question. Pete rolled to his side and pulled Ethan to his chest.
Ethan nuzzled his face against Pete s neck. Although waking in Pete s arms had been
fantastic, he d missed Brian. He d clung to the idea that Brian would join them for target
practice but even that had fallen through. Even though it had been a great day with Pete,
Ethan couldn t help wishing Brian was there. Now that he knew why Brian bugged out on
them, he wondered if it would become a usual thing.
He thought of the man holding him. What happened if he and Pete continued to get
closer instead of the three of them? Shit. What if Pete only agreed to see him if Brian could
get away?  What about us?
 Huh? Pete asked, kissing Ethan s forehead.
 If Brian can t get away often does that mean we re not allowed to see each other
either? Ethan held his breath. Although he d only spent one night and most of a day with
Pete, Ethan couldn t imagine taking a step back.
Pete pulled back enough to tilt Ethan s chin up.  I guess the three of us should sit down
and talk about it, but as far as I m concerned, my free time is my own. And I d like nothing
more than to spend it with you whether Brian can get away or not.
 Will that make him mad? Ethan asked.
Pete shrugged.  I don t know, but I m tired of spending my nights alone, waiting for
Brian to think of an excuse to see me.
TO SERVICE AND PROTECT Carol Lynne
50
From the corner of the blanket, Pete s cell phone rang. With a groan, Pete rolled to his
back and grabbed the phone.  It s Brian, he told Ethan before answering.  Hey. Pete
glanced at Ethan and grinned. He rattled off their location before ending the call and tossing
the phone aside.  He s on his way.
 What happened?
 Benny took off to play football in the park so Brian s going to join us until he has to get
home to make dinner. Pete shook his head.  That s the way it is with him, snatches of time
here and there. Can you handle it?
 Honestly? I don t know. It s different that s for sure. Not that I ever have, but it s
almost like dating a married man.
 Exactly, Pete agreed.
* * * *
As Brian neared Ethan and Pete s location, his palms started to sweat. He still felt
terrible for leaving without saying goodbye to Ethan that morning. With Pete spending the
entire day with Ethan, Brian worried he d no longer be welcomed. Still, Pete had easily given
Brian their location, so maybe he still had a chance with the two of them.
Brian stepped into the small clearing and smiled at the two sleeping men. Although
they were both dressed in warm, long-sleeved shirts and jeans, Brian had no problem
imagining them naked.
He stepped over to the blanket and took off his boots before lying on the other side of
Ethan. Sleeping may not have been what he d hoped for, but at least he d be able to do what
he d wanted to do hours earlier.
After snuggling up to Ethan s back, Brian draped his arm across Ethan to rest on Pete s
hip. Whether it was the isolated spot or the company, Brian didn t know but he let out a
breath, releasing the day s tension.
Pete opened his eyes and met Brian s gaze.  Glad you could make it.
 Me, too. Sorry I m late. Brian ran his hand up and down Pete s side.  How d target
practice go?
TO SERVICE AND PROTECT Carol Lynne
51
 Pretty good. Although I still don t like the thought of Ethan having a gun, at least I m
more confident he knows how to use it. Pete glanced down at Ethan where he rested against
Pete s chest.  I hope he never finds out what it feels like to shoot someone. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]