to face it eventually.
Ryan huffed out a breath. “Okay. Forget everything I said about not falling in love with your first, because we’re way past that now.”
Robin struggled to breathe evenly. “Have you ever loved someone?”
Ryan shook his head. “Never felt that bad about anyone.” He reached over and laid his hand on Robin’s knee. “But even a dumb ass like me can see you’re all messed up. I don’t want you to get hurt, bro.”
“Has the wanderer returned?” Dad called out.
Robin swallowed. “Discussion over.”
“For now. Because we haven’t even gotten to the tricky parts yet.”
“There are tricky parts?” Robin said with wide eyes.
“Yeah.” Ryan inclined his head toward the door. “Like, what they’re gonna say, for one thing. Because you can’t keep this a secret forever. Not in this village.”
Robin did not want to think about that.
Ryan got up off the bed. “Now I’m gonna grab a shower, find something clean to wear, and then we’re gonna go have dinner with the olds like there’s nothing wrong.”
“I didn’t think there was anything wrong, till you got—”
“Bullshit,” Ryan interjected. “You might be able to kid yourself, but not me, bro. And just so we’re clear? Whatever goes down with Mom and Dad… I’ve got your back.”
Robin got up and hugged his twin. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“Anytime.” Ryan released him. “Now come help me decide what to wear. After all, gay guys are hot on fashion, right?” His eyes gleamed.
Robin whacked him on the arm. “Go say hello before they come looking for you.” He forced a smile. “Mom is so gonna love on you. Her baby’s home.”
Ryan grinned. “Not gonna complain if it gets me dinner at Little Thai Kitchen.” He picked up his bags and hightailed it out of there. Robin didn’t want to be in his shoes when he tried to get Mom to do his laundry. At least going out for dinner would mean no more conversations about Dean—until they got home, of course.
I really didn’t need Ryan dishing out a dose of reality.
Except he knew it wasn’t Ryan’s fault. Robin had been doing a really good job of avoidance, that was all. But maybe Ryan had hit on the one question he couldn’t ignore anymore.
How does Dean feel about me?
Okay, so there were clues—maybe. But he could be reading those all wrong.
Couldn’t he?
Robin ate the last bites of toast, and got up from the table.
“Got somewhere to go?” Ryan inquired with a glint in his eye.
“Yeah. I’m going skiing.”
“Ryan? Leave your brother alone,” Dad said suddenly from behind his magazine.
“I’m not doing anything,” Ryan protested. “I’m only asking a simple question. Maybe I’d like to go skiing too. Can I tag along?” He gave Robin a shit-eating grin.
That little fucker…
“You have laundry to do, young man,” Mom announced. “About two months’ worth, by the look of it.” She wrinkled her nose. “I dread to think what you’ve been wearing to your classes.”
“Aw, but Mom—”
“But Mom nothing.” She gave Ryan a stern look. “If you think you’re going to sit around the house and do nothing for three weeks, think again.”
Robin tried his best not to grin but it was a losing battle.
“But Robin gets to go skiing?” Ryan’s eyes bulged.
“Robin worked all last week and he does chores.” Dad’s look was equally stern. “In fact, your brother had done his chores this morning by the time you crawled out of bed, so if he wants to go skiing, he can.” Dad glanced at Robin. “Are you meeting up with friends?”
“Yeah. In fact, I need to go. They’ll be waiting for me.” Well, one friend in particular.
“Have a good day. Will we be seeing you for dinner?” There was that by now familiar sparkle in Dad’s eyes.
“Maybe not,” Robin hedged. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Dean. He glanced at the table. “Ryan can clear the dishes, right?”
Ryan’s mouth fell open, but Mom got in there first. “Of course he can. You get along. Have fun.”
Revenge sure was sweet.
It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to cycle with skis, but Robin managed it somehow. This was the second time he’d done it, after all. The most important thing was not to run through any passersby with them. He biked along the road, his heart singing along with the birds in the trees. The latest snowfall report promised a great morning on the slopes, and he couldn’t wait. His phone buzzed in his jacket pocket, but he wasn’t about to stop. It could