used to keeping it quiet.”
“You know we don’t care, right? You’re you, no matter who you want between your sheets.”
“Zion,” I groaned, heat hitting my face.
“It’s true.”
Sighing, I finally sat back up. “I kind of knew you, Mom, and Dad would be okay with it. But even though it seems more accepted this day and age, Zion, it doesn’t make it easier to come out. There’s still haters.”
“Some people just need to be taught a lesson. If anyone fucks with you, Lucas, you tell me.”
Rolling my eyes, I gave him a small smile. “I can take care of myself. When I’m ready, I’ll tell whoever I want I’m gay, but I want to be comfortable within myself first. I’ve only… had one, um, you know, experience….” I rubbed the back of my neck. “But I haven’t… there hasn’t been anyone special in my life to date.”
“I get it. Just as long as you know I have your back. Mom and Dad will as well. But also, my brothers won’t be like any of those bigoted fuckers,” he stated. “Hell, if they are, they’ll deal with me.”
I bumped his shoulder again. “You’re an okay kind of brother, Zion.”
He snorted. “Just okay? I’m the best. Now, you gonna come out there and have some pizza?”
“Give me a minute, and I will.”
His hand slapped down on my shoulder and squeezed. “You got it.” I watched him walk from my room, and in a way, it felt like a small weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I should have guessed my family would have known I was gay even before telling them. They did know me the best. Even if Zion traveled in different circles to me, he’d always made sure he was there for me if needed. I just never asked.
I’d promised myself when I moved out of the family home and into Zion’s that I would start living and being who I really wanted to be.
I guessed it was time to begin.
Glancing to the closed door, I heard deep laughter down the hall. There were bikers out there. Bikers I didn’t know. However, they did seem like okay guys, and I knew my brother wouldn’t be a part of their group… club if they weren’t, but could they honestly accept me?
I wasn’t sure, and that was damn scary.
Still, it was worth a try. It was probably time I did come out of my shell. I hadn’t had many friends in high school. Those I had had gone off to different colleges. Those who stuck around made new friends, and we’d drifted apart. Though, I was lucky enough to have a couple of friends from college where we got together every now and then to catch up and wind down from studies.
So, it could be good to go out there and make new friends.
Another roar of laughter filled the house.
Then again, friends were overrated.
Chapter Two
Lucas
By the time I pulled up my big guy boxers and made it out to the living room, I came to an abrupt halt. There on the couch sat my new porn star, and he was playing… playing my vintage Nintendo.
“Hey, Lucas, I saved you some pizza. It’s in the fridge,” Death called from the kitchen where he stood with Zion, Quake, and Torch.
“Ah, thanks.” I smiled; it may have been wobbly from my nerves, but I meant it. Though Death was my brother’s friend—they all were—they’d been nice to me so far.
This night felt so draining, and it wasn’t even eight yet.
“You need to jump higher. Higher,” the prospect guy said loudly as he shifted to the edge of his seat. Wreck grunted but otherwise ignored him. “Go up. You gotta go up. Jump, Wreck, jump.”
“Double-tap to jump higher,” I suggested. Wreck did, and he went higher on the jump, getting the star Mario needed to collect.
“This yours?” Wreck asked in his deep, rough voice.
“Yep?” I said hesitantly, which made it sound like a question, nervous from having his attention on me.
He looked at me and then back to the screen.
I moved closer. They both seemed engrossed in the game, which was good to see. Mario would always be a favorite played by many, but the old Mario game was still the best. I glanced over my shoulder into the kitchen area. Zion already looked my way; he gave me a chin lift with a smile. I knew what he was saying, even without the words. “Go on, get in there, and play. You know you want