Chapter Six

Brandon

“They’re home!” Brandon jumped from the couch, racing for the front door. Maverick gave a short bark before he chased after Brandon. Brandon’s furry buddy might not know what was going on but was always up for some running and playing.

“Check the cameras!” Dane hollered from the kitchen.

He sighed but stopped to view the screens beside the front door. After Joey Collins had staked out their place and with the threat of Ezra’s parents still a concern, Eric had upgraded the security with a brand-new system. He’d said that he knew a guy that knew a guy. It sounded suspicious to Brandon but who was he to argue. He was surrounded by overprotective men.

Brandon was safe. Ezra was safe. Annabelle was safe.

Seeing that it was indeed his brother’s SUV pulled into the driveway, Brandon unlocked the door and swung it open. He stepped out onto the porch with Maverick plastered at his side.

Ezra waved to him after closing the passenger door and Brandon bounced as he waved back.

“Go ahead inside, baby. I’ll get Annabelle settled and come back for our bags,” he heard his brother say.

“I can—”

“Go inside. It’s cold,” Eric interrupted Ezra.

Oh, his brother sounded cranky.

Ezra rolled his eyes before he ran to the porch. Brandon pulled him into a hug as soon as his friend was close enough. Ezra was more than just Eric’s boyfriend. He was the first person that Brandon had told his full story to. Ezra had cried with him, told Brandon how strong he was, then played cars with him for two hours.

It didn’t bother Brandon that Dane and Remi knew what happened, but it had been Eric who’d shared Brandon’s story. His brother had reached out to his two best friends when he’d been scared for Brandon. Brandon couldn’t be mad about that but even his brother didn’t know every detail. Ezra did. And Ezra still loved him.

“I missed you,” Ezra whispered as he held Brandon tight.

The missing pieces in his heart all clicked into place. He was thrilled with his new relationship with Dane, loved having Maverick constantly by his side, but he had needed this too. Wanted to have his entire family home. “I missed you too.” Brandon pulled back. “But did you have fun?”

“Yes. Rocky Lake is a really pretty place. I met some awesome guys, but it isn’t home.”

“Inside,” Eric growled as he joined them on the porch. Annabelle was asleep on his shoulder.

Eric huffed but didn’t argue. He pulled Brandon toward the house. The move had a little twinge in his backside aching and Brandon had to swallow a grin. Dane had kept every promise that he had made to Brandon. Plus, Brandon was finding it hard to keep his hands and mouth off Dane. Dane didn’t seem to mind. He was always touching Brandon. Running a hand down Brandon’s arm. Pulling Brandon into his lap. The relationship was new and exciting.

“Want to go downstairs?” Ezra asked.

“Don’t you have to unpack? Or are you tired?”

Dane had helped Brandon with the finishing touches after breakfast, so he was excited to share the special space with his friend.

Ezra continued to drag Brandon toward the basement door. “No, I want to play. It was a long drive.”

Brandon had the suspicion that Ezra might need time away from his boyfriend. Brandon didn’t say anything until the basement door was closed behind them.

The basement had been turned into the most amazing playroom ever. Eric hadn’t spared any expense in creating the most perfect little world down here. Brandon suspected that Eric might have had a little help in the finance department, but he’d decided not to ask. Small things that Dane said though that afternoon made Brandon wonder how much his Daddy had been involved, because it seemed like quite a bit. He loved this playroom way too much to worry about money.

“It’s done! The room looks so good.” Even though Ezra said the right words, the tone was off.

He turned toward Ezra, grasping his shoulder. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Ezra said quickly, a little too fast.

“EZ?” Brandon pressed.

Ezra laughed. “I love my new nickname.”

Drawing Ezra across the room, he pulled his friend into the giant purple beanbag chair. “Tell me what is going on with you.”

“Nothing really.” Ezra’s sigh was heavy.

Brandon knew how frustrating his brother could be and was totally blaming this on Eric. He waited. Ezra was too easy and would give in.

“Your brother got a call when we reached the city limits. He won’t tell me what it was about, but it put him in a bad mood.”

Brandon understood better than Ezra knew. “He won’t tell you what it was about?”

“No, he said not to worry about it,” Ezra replied.

Brandon snorted. “Like that ever works.”

“Exactly. And since he’s been on vacation, I have a feeling that this is about my parents. Not work. Why would a call from work have put him in that bad of a mood?”

“Fuck,” Brandon said quietly. Living in his little bubble since Eric and Ezra had been gone had been nice. There were worries though that had to come back. Real life rarely allowed them just to be happy. Or least that was how it seemed to Brandon.

“Yeah.”

“It’ll be okay.” Brandon hugged Ezra to his side. “And you know my brother. He’ll realize that he’s being a dick then he’ll get his head out of his ass. He just needs a few minutes to sort it out.”

“I hope so.” Ezra frowned. “We were so happy singing to the radio and teasing each other. I just hate that my parents had the ability to ruin things for me still.”

“They’ll not ruin anything,” Brandon vowed. “If Eric doesn’t talk to you, then you make him. Withhold sex or something!”

Not that Brandon wanted to think about his brother and Ezra having sex. No…that was…yuck.

Ezra giggled just as Brandon had hoped.

The basement door opened. They both froze.

“I brought you two some snacks,” Dane announced as he came into view. He was carrying a tray that he sat on the table in the middle of the room. He crossed over to kneel beside them. “How’re you doing, Ezra?”

“Fine,” Ezra replied quickly.

Dane lifted a brow. “Do you want to try that again?”

Ezra’s reply was a shrug.

“Eric got a call,” Brandon supplied. “It might be—”

“I’ll find out,” Dane promised. “And make sure he shares what is going on with you, Ezra.”

Ezra smiled. “Thanks, Dane.”

“Okay. I needed to discuss something with him anyway. Why don’t you two play for a while?”

Brandon suddenly grew nervous. He knew what Dane wanted to talk to Eric about. If his brother was in a bad mood, then maybe it wasn’t the time.

“Maybe we should wait.” Brandon played nervously with his fingers.

“It will be fine,” Dane said sternly. “Play and eat your snacks.”

“Okay.” He trusted that Dane knew what he was doing. Dane knew Eric’s moves. And really his brother didn’t normally act like an ass for too long. He just had to think things out.

“Good boy.” Dane hooked a finger in the collar of Brandon’s shirt. He yanked Brandon forward and kissed him hard before he let go.

Well, Dane said he wouldn’t hide what was going on between them. Ezra knew, so that meant that they had to tell Eric. There was no going back now. Not that Brandon wanted to. It was just scary. Change always was. Brandon knew that Ezra, Dom, and Lake would be happy for him. Brandon had talked about his crush enough for them to know how he felt. He hoped his brother was on board as well.

Dane grunted as he stood. “I’ll check on you two in a bit.”

The door barely closed behind Dane before Ezra turned on him. “Tell me everything!”

He laughed. Then laughed harder. Damn! Brandon couldn’t stop. He hadn’t felt this lighthearted in…well, in longer than he could remember. Brandon laughed until tears spilled down his cheeks.

“I have no idea what is happening right now,” Ezra whispered. He was laughing too. Happiness shone from his eyes as Ezra held him tight while they cuddled together.

“Just happy. And I realized that I don’t even know where to start. So much has happened. I’m…overwhelmed by it, I guess.”

“But you are together together,” Ezra questioned.

“Yes,” Brandon replied. “He’s my Daddy. And my Dom. We’re…together.”

“Finally!” Ezra pumped his fist in the air. “I was so hoping that with the two of you being alone while we were gone, something would happen.”

“It’s only been a couple of days,” Brandon confided.

“It happened when it was meant to,” Ezra told him. “If it was supposed to happen sooner, it would have. No, I really believe it happens when it should. Just like when your brother found me in the apartment.”

“You're not still mad at him?” He nudged his friend.

“I wasn’t really mad,” Ezra said. “Hurt maybe. Frustrated. Sometimes Eric forgets that I took care of myself my entire life. That I took care of Annabelle on my own.”

“He knows that and he’s proud of you,” Brandon said. “Don’t be too hard on him.”

“I won’t be,” Ezra promised. “But stop trying to change the subject. I want to hear about you and Dane.”

“It just sort of worked itself out,” Brandon said. “He makes me talk to him. We have to discuss everything before we do anything.” Which could be frustrating, but Brandon also appreciated that Dane took his boundaries seriously.

“That’s good, Bran,” Ezra said. “Important.”

“I know.” He sighed. “I guess I’m wondering if it’s too good to be true.”

“Just remember that you’re not alone this time,” Ezra told him. “You have your brother. Friends. And I do think that Dane wants what’s best for you.”

“He’s a good man.” Brandon didn’t doubt that. “I believe that. I don’t think that it will be the same…that he’d ever do…you know.” He hated thinking about his ex and what that horrible man had done to him.

“It will never get like that again,” Ezra vowed. “I’d kill him myself.”

Brandon snorted. He had some pretty fierce friends but—

“Okay, I’d sic Dom on him,” Ezra allowed.

Now that, Brandon believed. “We need to plan a playdate now that your home and the basement is done.”

“Yes!” Ezra bounced.

“Oh! Snacks.” He had almost forgotten. He dragged Ezra to the little table where their snacks sat.

Ezra reached for a carrot and popped it in his mouth. “I missed this.”

“Carrots?” Brandon didn’t understand.

Ezra snorted. “No! Talking with you. I had totally given up ever having my little side again. With you I can flow in and out of my regression and don’t have to worry about being judged.”

Yeah, it had to be hard.

“I don’t know how this will work as Annabelle gets older,” Ezra confessed.

“We’ll figure it out,” Brandon vowed. He perked up, realizing they did have something important to talk about. “But first…Christmas!”

Ezra’s eyes grew wide. “Christmas!”

* * * * *

Dane

Waiting for his best friend to put the little girl down for her nap was more difficult than Dane expected. He could hear Eric’s soft voice as he spoke either to the little girl or just talked. There was something up with Eric and that was the first thing that needed to be addressed. He wouldn’t hold off on his news though. Brandon deserved better than that.

Eric exited Annabelle’s room, closing the door behind him. He jerked as he spotted Dane waiting.

“The boys—”

“Are fine,” Dane assured his friend. “Playing in the basement.”

“Good.” Eric ran his hand roughly down his face. “I need to—”

“Tell me what’s going on,” Dane demanded.

Eric shook his head.

“Or you can explain to Ezra now without working it out. Which do you think will be better?”

“Fuck,” Eric spat.

“Living room.” Dane grabbed Eric’s arm to lead him away from the sleeping little girl. He sat on the opposite side of the couch. Dane wished he was a better friend where he could offer Eric a beer but that would never be an option for him.

Eric dropped his head as he worked out whatever was going on. Dane gave his friend the time he needed. Eric was an overthinker. Other than taking Ezra and Annabelle home that first night, Eric never did anything spontaneously. He had to think through all the options.

It took less than five minutes before Eric grunted as he raised his head.

Dane lifted a brow. Ready and willing to listen.

“Jesse Lambert called just as we reached town.”

That shouldn’t be an issue. They’d become good friends with Jesse even with the other man being a fucking billionaire and them being run-of-the-mill cops.

“An older couple showed up at the coffee shop, asking about Ezra,” Eric informed him.

“Ezra’s parents?”

“I don’t know, but that’s who I’m thinking. They probably have no idea what happened to Joey Collins. That’s who they were paying to keep tabs on their son. And Annabelle.”

“What did Jesse say?”

“He got his information from Dom. Dom was working and since he knows everything, didn’t tell the couple a thing. Said he had no idea who they were asking about.”

“Might not have been the right way to handle things. They’d know he was lying since Collins already told them that Ezra worked there.”

“We should have discussed what to say if anyone ever asked after Ezra,” Eric said. “I dropped the ball there.”

Dane shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. They overplayed their hand and let us know that they were in town. That’s their mistake.”

Eric stared hard at him. “You think so?”

“Yep. It doesn’t matter what Dom said or didn’t say. We know someone’s looking for Ezra and that’s the information we need.”

Eric started to nod.

“We have the resources to keep both Ezra and Annabelle safe. We’re fucking cops, Eric. We have a billionaire on our side.”

The smile that grew on Eric’s face had an edge. This was a dangerous man when his boy was threatened. “We do have a lot of resources.”

“And this is our city,” Dane pointed out.

“It would be better to get this issue addressed with them than have it over Ezra’s head. I don’t want my boy having to constantly be looking over his shoulder.”

“They never should have let us know they were here. They lost any edge they might have had with the element of surprise.”

“I need to talk to Ezra.” Eric smacked his knee. “I got inside my head. I owe him an apology. I hope he’s not too mad.”

“Your boy loves you and will forgive you. He’s having a snack downstairs with Brandon. Let them get caught up first.”

Eric narrowed his eyes as he stared at Dane. “Is there something in particular that they need to get caught up on?”

There were so many ways that he could play this.

Dane nodded. “I won’t be needing the spare bedroom any longer. My stuff’s already been moved out of the room.”

Eric blinked at him. Frowned. “You know you don’t have to leave. We like having you here. Both you and Maverick are always welcome. Hell, you’ve put as much money into the basement as I have.”

“Oh…” Dane grinned. “I won’t be leaving the house anytime soon. I just don’t need the spare bedroom.”

“What?”

It amused him to watch Eric put the pieces of the puzzle together. His brows were drawn together trying to figure out what Dane wasn’t saying before it dawned on him.

Eric crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the cushions of the couch. “Really? Where will you be sleeping? I can attest that this couch isn’t that comfortable. It’s okay for naps but not real sleep.”

Dane smirked. “I have a nice big comfortable bed in mind. I just prefer not to sleep alone any longer.”

“You fucking asshole,” Eric said. “When? How?”

“A couple of days ago. And your brother didn’t give me much of a choice. He made his move, and I couldn’t resist him. Didn’t want to.”

Eric snickered. “Good for him.”

Dane knew this next part would irritate his friend. “Yeah, man, there’s something about that kitchen.” He knew all about Brandon walking in on Eric giving Ezra a blow job in the kitchen.

“Fuck, man! No!” Eric bitched. “Don’t tell me about sexy times with my brother.” He shuddered hard.

Dane laughed. “What are you talking about, you perv? Why would we have sexy times in the kitchen? We’re not animals. We have some self-control.”

Eric growled before flipping him off.

It felt good to have the confession off his chest. His two best friends now both knew.

“You’re good?” Eric questioned.

It didn’t surprise Dane that Eric was checking on him. Other people might worry about Brandon, but Eric knew the demons that Dane wrestled with. “I’m good. Brandon settles me. He’s so strong. I’m thankful that he’s even giving me a chance.”

Eric rose and crossed to him. He pulled Dane up and into his arms. “I don’t ever want to hear you say that again. You are exactly who my brother deserves. No one will work harder than you to make sure that he’s safe, healthy and happy.”

Dane allowed himself to lean on his friend. “I already love him,” Dane confessed. He hadn’t even been brave enough to say those words to his boy.

“He’s easy to love.” Eric patted his back. “I’m happy for the two of you.” He pulled back. “Don’t make me give the big-brother talk to you. It would just suck.”

“I swear that if I ever hurt him, I’ll allow you to kill me,” Dane replied.

“I’ll have plenty of help. Do we really want to see what Dom is capable of?” Eric teased.

Dane shook his head. “I don’t. That is one scary little.”

“How about we go downstairs and spend time with our boys?” Eric suggested.

That was exactly where Dane wanted to be. “Yeah.”

“Just let me grab the baby monitor,” Eric said.

“Oh, Brandon wanted to start decorating for Christmas,” Dane informed his friend.

Eric groaned. “I am so not ready for that.”

“They also want to have a little party now that the basement is done.”

Eric nearly dropped the monitor he’d picked up from the side table. “No glitter. I mean it this time. It is not happening.”

Dane winced. “Actually, we should have considered anything with glitter in it.”

“What did you do?” Eric growled.

“I took Brandon to the mall and there was a store… He wanted to get Lake something. I thought it was no big deal!”

Eric sighed. “What store?”

“The boys have an entire makeup kit. Or three. Then Brandon decided that he needed to practice putting on makeup so that Lake would be more comfortable around them. I had no idea the makeup had glitter in it! It was a mess!”

“Fuck my life,” Eric grumbled.

Dane nodded. He felt the same way. Brandon had wanted glitter and Dane wanted to make Brandon happy. Then Brandon had wanted makeup for Lake. Dane really needed to learn how to say no. “There are pictures,” he shared, still horrified by the entire ordeal.

“Wait!” Eric held up a hand. “Who did Brandon practice on?”

Dane rolled his eyes as he scowled. “He said he couldn’t practice on himself. Brandon wanted to be a good friend to Lake. To be able to help Lake if he needed it.”

“You!” Eric barked out a laugh. “You let him practice on you!”

When Eric nearly tripped because he was laughing so hard, Dane regretted telling his friend. “Fuck off.”

“I need to see the pictures!” Eric demanded.

He walked away as he flipped Eric off. The smile on his face couldn’t be wiped awy. Not even when he remembered trying to scrub that damn makeup from his face. His skin had still been red when he’d gone into work that night.