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 I m out, Brendan. Everyone in town knows it. As much as I
like you calling me babe, if anyone else hears you call me
that, they ll draw some conclusions you may not be ready
for.
For just a split second, a stricken look crossed Brendan s
face, much like one would look if they d been slapped. He
recovered quickly, gulping his coffee. Setting his cup down,
Brendan rested both hands on the table, folding them before
him.
Brendan gazed steadily at him as he stated,  Randy, I m
gay. He stalled, his jaw working, obviously gearing up to
say something else.
Randy waited, his heart in his throat. Was Brendan really
serious after all? Shit, Randy couldn t allow the man to turn
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his life upside down for him without sharing some pretty
important shit with him& like filing for custody of Toby. He
felt a bit guilty for keeping the information to himself for so
long, but it d taken a long time to get the paperwork in
order, including statements from others who noticed how
often he took care of Toby.
 I know you are, Randy whispered. He reached out and
touched Brendan s hands, giving him what he hoped was an
encouraging smile.  And I know you re trying to find your
way out of the closet, which is never easy. Please, tell me
you re doing this for yourself and not for me.
Blinking, Brendan remained silent. He glanced up and
Randy followed his gaze. He spotted Leah returning with
their food. There was definitely a questioning tilt to her lips
and brows as she took in how Randy reached across the
table and touched Brendan.
Instead of shying away, Brendan patted Randy s hand
and finally responded,  A little of both, if I m being honest.
He smiled, the move reaching his eyes.  And I m happy
about that.
 Okay, guys, Lisa murmured from where she now stood
by their table.  Here is a shepherd s pie for you, she stated,
moving a plate toward the table. Randy pulled his arms back
so she could put the steaming plate down in front of him.
 And a chicken pot pie for you, Coach. Also, here s that
carrot cake, Randy, she said, adding that to the table as
well. To the young woman s credit, she managed to keep her
expression neutrally pleasant as she met both men s gazes.
 More coffee or anything else I can get you?
Brendan shook his head, saying,  No, thank you. This
looks fantastic.
 I m good, thanks, Randy responded.
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Three Point Tuck
 Okay, holler if you need anything, Leah told them. As
she turned away, she swept a musing look over Brendan,
then headed toward another table.
Randy knew the gossip mill had just begun.
 So, Brendan began, peeling back the top crust of his pie,
releasing steam.  Dan picked up tickets to a Seahawk s
game, but now he can t go. He s offered the pair to me. We
could drive up to Seattle on Friday evening, spend Saturday
exploring, then drive home Sunday evening after the game.
Randy s brows shot up.  What weekend is that?
 Next weekend, Brendan replied, poking his fork into
his pie and scooping up a healthy mouthful of crust, peas,
carrots, potatoes, and chicken.  I know it s short notice, he
added before blowing on his food. He smiled,  But it should
be a good game.
A good game or a bad game would be all the same to
Randy. He didn t follow the sport enough to know the
difference. It was the fact that Brendan had asked him,
wanted to spend the entire weekend with him that caused
his heart to race in his chest.
He opened his mouth to say yes, except, next weekend?
 Damn, I wish I could, Bren, but I m supposed to have Toby
next weekend. He grimaced.  Well, if plans don t change,
anyway. He rubbed his hands over his face, suddenly no
longer hungry.
Brendan put down his fork, his expression concerned.  Is
something wrong? Is everything okay with your sister?
Randy knew he couldn t put off this discussion any
longer. Especially since his lover knew he and Candice had
gotten into it a few days earlier when she d, once again, left
Toby on his doorstep. Randy had been on the phone with
her when Brendan had arrived to pick him up to go to a
barbeque out at Randy s friend s farm. It d been the final
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push he needed to stop dragging his feet and finish getting
the last of the custody paperwork together.
Leaning forward, Randy asked quietly,  Can we go
somewhere private to talk? This was not a conversation to
be had in a public setting.
Brendan s brows drew down in concern, but he nodded
and answered without hesitation.  Yeah, of course. Is
everything all right?
Randy shook his head. Memories of all the times Candice
had failed miserably to follow through sliced through him,
making him feel brittle and angry. Pushing the feelings
aside, he admitted,  No, and it could affect our  He
glanced around, not bothering to finish.
It seemed, Brendan wasn t nearly so reticent. He frowned
and stated firmly,  There isn t anything that s going to
change how I feel about you, babe, he hissed.  I wish you d
believe me.
God, I hope that s true.
Nodding, Randy called the waitress over and asked for a
couple boxes. Brendan watched him slide most of his meal
into the container, concern darkening his brown eyes. Then,
he followed Randy s example. Flipping the lid closed, Randy
tried to ignore the tightness in his chest.
Even knowing he was having a major freak-out didn t
stop the galloping of his heart. Somewhere along the line,
that fickle muscle in his chest had gone and fallen in love
with the sexy man across from him. The fear that Brendan
would walk away almost crippled him.
Needing air, Randy pushed to his feet. He pulled out his
wallet and tossed enough bills on the table to cover both
their meals, then headed toward the door and the promise of
fresh oxygen.
Once outside, Randy stopped and sucked several lungfuls
of air into his chest. Tilting his head back, he stared at the
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gray clouds overhead, the promise of more snow taunting
him.
A hand on his shoulder made Randy start. He spun, only
to find Brendan standing behind him with his hands raised
in the universal easy does it position, the plastic bag holding
the to go boxes dangling from his left arm. Randy grimaced.
He needed to calm the fuck down.
Brendan stepped forward again. This time, he gently
turned Randy with a hand to his shoulder, then placed his
other hand on Randy s lower back. The pressure felt nice, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]