Nothing to Gain (Learning the Ropes #2) - E.M. Denning Page 0,46

he saw the look on Linden’s face. His brows were pinched, and his lips were tight. The way they did when he worried about something.

“What’s wrong?”

Linden wouldn’t meet Brett’s gaze. He strolled over toward the bell peppers instead. “Do you think I’m a hypocrite? Because my dad still doesn’t know. I’ve been avoiding his calls and brushing him off whenever he texts me.”

“If you’re not ready, you’re not ready.”

“How did you come out to your parents?” Linden’s brow furrowed. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want.”

“There’s a cafe on the corner if you guys want you can text me when you’re done shopping. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Brett turned to Ricky and shook his head. “It’s fine. It’s not like it’s a secret. There’s not even much to say besides I’d been refusing to get a haircut, then mom found my stash of makeup and magazines.” Brett shrugged a shoulder. “Dad’s in computers, no way I was using the computer or my phone to look up porn. I knew they had one of those tracker apps on it, I didn’t know what else was on there. Anyway. Mom found the makeup and the magazines and put two and two together.” Brett felt detached from the memory, like it had happened to someone else. It felt more like he was telling Linden and Ricky about a movie he’d watched a long time ago and less like something he’d lived. Which, he supposed he should feel thankful for, but it made him feel strange to be so detached from something so crucial to the way his life had turned out.

Brett continued, aware that his story was putting a damper on the occasion he tried to get through the rest as fast as possible. “They wanted me to go to therapy. I refused. They said if I didn’t go, I couldn’t stay there, so I left.” Brett rolled his shoulders back and plastered a smile on his face. “It all worked out in the end. I’m here, I’m me, and I have you.” Brett linked their arms and leaned into Linden.

“What if I told him right now?”

“Right now? Tonight?” Brett asked.

“Why not? I’d rather not do it alone.”

“How about after we get the groceries? You can call from the car.” Ricky suggested.

Linden looked grateful for the delay. He launched himself back into the shopping, chatting excitedly about the food he was going to make. Brett watched Linden examine each vegetable before selecting which one to purchase. He knew from a discussion they’d had during the planning phase that his dad had sent him some extra cash so they could pull this off.

Brett didn’t have to feel sorry for himself or wonder what it would’ve been like to have a parent like that. He’d had Ansel’s mom. He had Caleb and Eric. It should’ve been enough, but there was a part of him that was hurt and angry still. A part of him that hated his parents. He tried his best to portray an air of casual indifference about them and most of the time he succeeded, he’d like to think. Every so often he couldn’t help but run his hand over the cracks in his heart.

The grocery store didn’t seem all that busy until it came time to check out. Then it appeared everyone had to be in the same place as them. Linden stood behind Brett and wrapped his arms around Brett’s waist.

Brett closed his eyes and let himself enjoy the stillness that swept over him whenever Linden was near. There was something soothing about his presence, something comforting about having him close.

Linden’s lips brushed the lobe of Brett’s ear.

Brett turned his head and caught Linden in an awkward kiss. The angle was wrong, and Linden kissed him with a smile on his face, making the kiss even more perfect. Brett vowed to tell Linden how he felt, but not here, not now. He wanted to confess to him under the soft glow of the twinkle lights. He wanted it to be special. Linden deserved special.

20

Linden

Ricky helped them load the groceries into the trunk of his car. “I can’t imagine hauling all this back on the bus. Thank you for doing this.” Linden said as Ricky closed the trunk.

“It’s not a big deal. It will be nice to have a home cooked meal that I don’t have to go home for.” Ricky laughed and unlocked the car while Brett pushed the cart into the cart return Ricky had parked