25

Sam waves at me from the table he snagged on the far end of our favorite diner, so I smile at the hostess and point at him before heading over and plopping into the booth across from him.

"So, funny story. I got a curious message from an unknown number, basically threatening my life if I didn't go with you to your apartment."

My mouth drops open even as something inside me preens at his protective nature. "He did not."

Sam chuckles good-naturedly before shaking his head. "Nah, but he did text me and ask nicely, like the concerned little whipped boyfriend he is." His expression turns cautious as he stares at me for a moment. "Are you sure he's ready for this?"

My head bobs in a slow nod before answering. "It was his decision."

"You had zero influence on that?" Oh boy, that is a serious eyebrow hike.

I smile at my brother and his concern. "Well, it goes without saying that I had some influence on it. Since we met, I doubt there has been a single day where I haven't reminded him of my interest in him. This was his choice. At our show in Raleigh, someone was hitting on me and asked me out. Dante went all caveman, pushing him aside and kissing me in front of everyone." A dreamy sigh leaves me as I replay it in my mind. "It was sweet."

"Please be careful, Theo. Don't let yourself get hurt."

I reach over and grip my brother's arm, shaking my head. "You don't understand, Sam. Dante and I both have known for a long, long time that we are meant to be together. He had things from his past to work through, and I had to allow him to be ready. You have nothing to worry about with me and him."

He smiles and places his hand over mine, giving me a squeeze. "You deserve this, brother."

"Trust me, I know," I say, full of smugness, as he shoves my hand away and rolls his eyes, sparking even more laughter from me. The server comes over right as he throws a balled-up napkin at me, and he looks chastised as she gives him an exhausted stare.

The rest of our lunch is drama-free, and Sam tells me he can come with me to my apartment. As we walk into the parking lot, he grabs my wrist and steers me towards his car. "What are you doing?" I ask in confusion.

"Dante insisted I chauffer you, since this crazy stalker dude won't recognize my car."

"Christ almighty, you're as bad as he is," I mutter, though I don't put up a fight as we climb into his car and drive to my building.

"Why are you even still keeping your apartment if you've just moved in to play house with Dante?"

"He let me stay with him because he was worried about me. It wasn't a ‘Hey, let's move in together and get married and adopt all the babies' type of situation." He responds with a very noncommittal hum and keeps driving in silence. "What does that sound mean? What's the hmm ?"

"Where are you sleeping? Guest room? Pull-out sofa?" I grumble and look out the window, annoyed by his amusement. He chuckles and playfully elbows me, making me spin around and swat at him. "Oooh, I see," he taunts, still dodging my hand. "There's no pulling out happening at all, is there?"

"Why, Sam, are you insulting my virginal qualities? Calling me a harlot? A common strumpet?"

His eyebrows almost fly off his face as he gives me a look . "Virginal my ass…"

"Well, technically, it's my ass," I say, grinning as he gags.

"I don't need to hear about that!" he shouts.

"You started it, dickweed!"

"Did not, buttmuncher!"

"I mean, ass is my favorite snack." I make a ring out of my thumb and pointer finger and shove my tongue through it while he looks at me in horror.

Sam screeches, slapping at me while he visibly heaves. "I don't need to know this!"

"Man, you straight boys need to lighten up," I say as I lean closer, tongue still through my fingers and flapping around. "What's wrong with a little booty binging? Tossing some salad?"

"Theo!" he wails, like it'll stop me.

"Tongue punching the far—"

His hand pops me right in the windpipe as his voice drops so low, it gets into Darth Vadar territory. "Don't you dare," he growls, and I laugh around my lack of oxygen.

We're still slinging insults back and forth as we pull into my building, then get out of the car and walk calmly inside like we weren't just bitch-slapping each other. Sam keeps a protective eye out as we open the door, eyeballing everyone with suspicion.

Brotherhood is a strange thing.

"Theo!" Brenda yells as I step into the lobby, running over and pulling me in for a hug. "I have missed you, my sweet boy! Is that handsome man of yours treating you well?"

"He takes excellent care of me," I assure her as I hug her back.

"After you filed the restraining order, he brought a copy, and I tried to match the name with a face by reviewing the security camera footage. Those things are just so damn blurry. I gave him what I had, but I'm not sure it made a difference."

"It did to me," I say with a quiet voice as she gives me a motherly smile. "Have you seen him come in since the day with the flowers?"

"No, but I can't always have eyes on the place."

"Well, I will consider it a win that he hasn't been spotted. We're just grabbing a few things from my apartment, so I'll let you get to work." She gives my arm another quick squeeze before heading behind her desk and sorting the stack of packages she had been working on when we arrived.

"Oh, Theo! Stop by on your way out. I have a few boxes I put aside for you while you've been gone."

"That's my angel!" I yell back. It takes just a few seconds until the elevator arrives, and then we're riding to my floor and entering my eerily quiet apartment.

"Anything specific you need me to pick up for you?" Sam asks.

"The rest of my guitars. They're in the second bedroom." He nods and trots off as I grab another suitcase from my closet and stuff it with the clothes that I can't live without. Once it's hard to force the zipper closed, I frown at my dresser where my lingerie and toys are stored. "Well, can't forget those," I mutter to myself, finding an extra bag and loading it full.

Sam walks in the room right as I pull a more scandalous toy out of the drawer, and I shove my hands behind me as he cocks an eyebrow. "Was that… actually, you know what? Don't tell me. I don't want to find out." I stuff it into the bag as he pointedly looks the other direction.

After going through the house and confirming everything is fine, we take my bags and go back down in the elevator. A pit-stop at the concierge desk leaves me with an armful of small packages, and after another quick hug to Brenda, we're in the car and returning to the diner.

As I load my things up in my trunk, I glance sideways at Sam. "Make sure you text Dante that you supervised me. For some idiotic reason, he thought that you and your fear of tiny flying bugs would somehow protect me."

He glares. "I was a teenager."

"You were a year away from being able to vote! From being able to serve in the military, Sam!"

This causes his eyes to narrow even more, making it where I can barely see his irises. "Alright, ladybug, give me a hug," I say as I hold my arms out.

"Not if you keep calling me names."

"Aww," I coo, pulling him into a stiff embrace as he stands there, arms stubbornly crossed over his chest. "Is the wittle boy getting his feewings hurt by his baby brudder?"

"Ugh, fine, I'll hug you if you promise to never, ever make that voice in my presence again," he says with a shudder, finally dropping his arms and squeezing me back.

"It was pretty gross, huh?"

"The grossest," he agrees, and we both laugh before parting ways.