was a woman who gave zero fucks. “I’m talking about that big Swedish redwood next to him. Goddamn. That’s a fine-assed man.” Roman looked like he choked on suppressed laughter, but his mom wasn’t finished. She cut her eyes at Brett. “Although I will concede you are allowed to think of my son as a man, since you’ll be my son-in-law someday.”
Roman blushed. “Mom. Jesus.”
“I think she’s great,” Xavier said, calmly arranging pans and getting ready to start filming. It was the most subdued Dean had ever seen the guy.
Roman snorted. “You would think that, you big Swedish redwood.”
Peggy seemed to be completely oblivious to anyone’s discomfort or Roman’s falsetto mocking. She turned Dean’s way. “What about you, kiddo? Which one would you choose?”
Dean’s gaze skirted everyone in the room. While his brother looked amused, Roman ignored Peggy like he had given up any hope of her behaving years ago. Xavier was the only one whose gaze was locked on Dean, intently waiting his decision. Dean took a breath. He didn’t understand why Xavier was always so flippant with everyone except him. It was unnerving.
Dean tried ignoring him by focusing on Peggy. She looked so much like Roman with her blonde hair and hazel eyes. It was hard not to like her. “Roman feels too much like a brother, so that’s just wrong. Xavier already has the rest of the world chasing him. He doesn’t need another man wanting him, so I guess it’s just you and me.”
She smacked his arm. “Flirt. I like you.”
Dean’s gaze slid back Xavier’s way. The man still watched him. At least his apron hid the front lower half of his chiseled body. That helped a hell of a lot with ignoring him. There was no hiding his sexy gray eyes, though. Those were too beautiful for Dean’s comfort.
“Now, what are you boys doing in June? Denver has a hell of a Pride event and I would love it if you came to stay with me to attend. We’d have a great time. My activist group has a float in the parade.”
“Mom adopts everyone,” Roman calmly explained.
“Like I said, she’s great,” Xavier said, still sounding more serious than usual. Only the fact that Xavier’s light-colored eyes were locked on him made Dean realize he was staring again. Xavier’s mouth lifted in one corner. “What do you say, Dean? That’s a good six months from now. Want to go to Denver with me for Pride?”
Dean shrugged. “Anything can happen in six months, I guess.”
Xavier finally looked away, but his smile turned wicked, making Dean wish he could read minds.
The camera crew came on set, saving Dean from any more questions. He had never been one to chitchat. He liked Roman’s mom, though. She was nothing like his mom. Dean wished sometimes their parents hadn’t stopped talking to them, especially since it was his fault. If he had just gone to Germany and been the good son, Brett wouldn’t have felt like he needed to break ties with their parents to save him. The guilt was real and thick, knowing Brett no longer had a family because of him. Guilt aside, Brett had been an amazing parental substitute. Despite their loss, Dean wouldn’t trade Brett for all the parents in the world. Peggy and Brett sat close and spoke in whispers, as if not wanting to interrupt the final setup before the show. Dean fought himself. He didn’t want to look Xavier’s way.
As his head started to turn that way, Xavier appeared at his side. He kneeled, speaking close to Dean’s ear. “Will you stay after the show?”
Dean fought the urge to meet Xavier’s stare. If he knew nothing else, Dean knew he couldn’t show any enthusiasm over having Xavier’s attention. Xavier had legions of men and women falling at his feet. Dean had no desire to add his name to that list. He tried to keep his voice free of emotion. “I don’t know. Is there a reason you’re asking?”
Xavier touched his jaw, urging Dean’s gaze his way. The moment Dean focused on Xavier’s gorgeous eyes, Xavier gave him the most heated look Dean had ever seen. “You know there is.”
Dean swallowed. He had no idea how to stand against someone like Xavier, but he had to find a way. Xavier was the kind of man who chewed men up and spit them out. Someone like Dean could never hold his attention.
“Xavier, it’s time to get started.”
Dean fought a wave of relief as Xavier left him