Chapter Three

Greg parked on the side of the road in front of Kyler's house. Kyler's street didn't have roadside parking, but cars overflowed the driveway. Short of parking on the lawn, there wasn't anywhere else to go. The rest of the neighborhood would have to deal with it as part of Kyler's plan to break in the new digs. Greg shut off his truck's engine and stepped out into the mild June sunshine. He went to the back of his vehicle and grabbed the two cases of beer he had purchased.

Greg didn't bother knocking—that small common courtesy didn't apply to him and hadn't since they were kids. Family didn't knock. The philosophy had bitten Kyler in the ass once when he'd walked into Greg's parents' home and found them slapping the hell out of each other. Kyler had rarely come over after that. It wasn't until Greg had become Leonard's kid that Kyler had begun the practice again.

Greg went through the living room to the kitchen and out through the sliding glass door onto the deck. Twenty or so people hung around, chatting with each other. Music played in the background—some rock station Kyler enjoyed. Greg scanned the backyard. He found Kyler standing near the fence, opposite the deck were Greg stood. He was talking to Luis Flynn, who worked with Kyler at the garage as a fellow mechanic.

When Kyler turned his way, Greg held up one of the cases of beer. Kyler pointed to a cooler sitting against the deck to the left.

Brian sat on Jackson's lap all snuggled up. They whispered to each other. And, of course, Greg's luck would dictate that they sat next to the beer cooler.

Taking a deep breath, he made his way over. His heart had lodged itself in his throat. He kept swallowing around it, trying to put it where it belonged but it stayed, making a home because there wasn't anything else to do when he stood so close to his crush and his crush's fuck buddy.

God, he needed to move the fuck on already.

He tightened his jaw muscles, trying to ignore both men as he opened the cooler and then the cardboard box of beer. Someone, probably Kyler, had filled the cooler with ice already, so all Greg had to do was put the cans deep enough inside that they cooled down.

"Hey, Greg." Jackson smiled.

Greg cleared his throat before speaking. He didn't stop his task, though. "Hey."

"How's that little foal coming along?"

"Fine."

When Brian touched his shoulder, he stiffened. "Could you take the puppy tonight?"

Greg turned, eying them. He saw Jackson's hand on the side of Brian's ass. "Take her where?"

"For an overnight. She'll need to be fed at around two and five o'clock. That's when she likes to eat."

Greg shrugged and put the last of the cans into the cooler before shutting the lid. "Guess I could if you need a break."

"Oh no, not a break. I'll probably have a late night and I don't want to miss any feedings or whatever." In other words, Brian planned on fucking Jackson's brains out. They'd probably get drunk first. Because of course they would. And Brian didn't want to be so drunk and well-fucked that he couldn't take care of the puppy.

"Where is she?"

Brian pointed to something on the other side of the chair. Greg hadn't noticed it before that moment because he was too busy avoiding Brian. The puppy lay all curled up on a comfortable, plush bed. Brian had affection in his eyes for the little dog. "She comes to the office with me too."

Greg nodded and stood, grabbing the empty cardboard beer boxes. Before he could go into the house, Andrew made a beeline straight for him.

The shitstorm that was his mother churned around in his stomach, upsetting the whole. He never could deal with her well. His dad couldn't either, which had been the primary source of all the fights.

Andrew stopped in front of him but turned to Brian and Jackson. "Jaron tells me you could use a roommate."

Brian rolled his eyes. "He thinks I'm lonely."

Brian stood, patting Andrew's shoulder. Brian placed a hand on Greg's back, almost between his shoulder blades. He rubbed circles as if trying to soothe Greg. Brian didn't move his hand on Andrew's arm at all.

"You're close to the station, right?" Andrew asked.

"Yeah, and you're welcome to stay if you'd like." Brian tried to draw Greg closer but he stayed put. Reading too much into the gesture was a mistake waiting to happen, although Greg was sure Brian didn't have a clue what he was doing. Brian's arm fell away from Andrew's shoulder as he slid next to Greg. "Don't tell Jaron I said this, but he's probably right. Having someone around would be nice."

Andrew nodded. "It wouldn't be forever. Until I find something close to town."

Greg stiffened and felt heat rise from his chest.

Andrew turned his gaze to Greg's. "I can hold her for one more day. Then I have to send her to Harbor Shire."

Greg nodded and took a step away from both men. His gaze darted to Jackson, whose gaze held concern. As much as he wanted to hate Jackson for having a thing with Brian, he couldn't. Jackson had become family years ago.

When Jackson stood, Greg shook his head. He didn't want to think about his parents or Brian or any of the other things that made his life stressful. He could feel all of it accumulating.

Brian let his hand fall way when Greg stepped toward the house. The ache threatened to spill over, and soon, it would change his mood.

He carried the beer boxes across the deck and through the door, breaking them down before putting them into the trashcan.

Co-parenting a puppy with Brian had been a stupid fucking move, but damned if he would do anything to change it. He would die of heartbreak before the end, but at least he'd get to spend time with Brian.

Greg went over to a cupboard next to the refrigerator. The unit went from ceiling to floor and was either a closet or a pantry—Greg bet on a pantry. When he pulled the door open, he proved himself right. Boxed macaroni and cheese and three boxes of cereal lined the shelf at eye level. With Andrew keeping a lid on the underage purchases, Kyler guarded his stash like a sentry for the queen, which was why he pushed the boxes of cereal aside. Sure enough, a full bottle of vodka sat tucked into the corner. Since Greg hadn't come through, he wondered where Kyler had gotten the bottle.

Greg grabbed it and straightened the boxes before shutting the pantry up. The window above the kitchen sink overlooked the backyard and gave him a clear view of the deck and Brian.

He twisted the cap on the vodka bottle and brought it to his lips, taking a swig. The stuff burned down his esophagus, but he ignored it as he watched Brian sit on Jackson's lap once again. Andrew squatted in front of them. Brian touched his chest as they had a conversation. Brian's expression was enough to tell Greg they were discussing him.

Greg turned from the scene and headed to Kyler's bedroom. Heartache and alcohol only needed one person to have a party.

Greg woke up because of an earthquake. When he opened his eyes, the world spun. He felt like paint on spin art, flying all over hell and back. His pickled body would have spun off into outer space if not for the hands holding him down. He shut his eyes again, and the spinning slowed enough that it stopped turning his stomach. And then everything shook again while Kyler shouted. "Jesus, you smell like every bottle of vodka ever."

Greg turned his head toward the sound of Kyler's voice and smiled all without opening his eyes. "Hi."

Greg popped one eye open, hoping that would keep the earth from moving. It didn't work, but he still met Kyler's gaze.

"What the hell, man?" Kyler stood next to the bed, scowling.

Greg chuckled. "You must have learned that from Leonard."

Someone nearby chuckled, stealing Greg's attention.

He opened his other eye, taking in the room.

Travis and Leonard stood in the doorway. Andrew and Brian were behind them. Probably more people formed a line in the hallway, wanting a ticket to the Greg Mitchell Shitshow.

The thought made him chuckle.

"Learned what?" Kyler's scowl grew more pinched.

"The pissed look."

Travis snorted out a chuckle, but he didn't comment.

Leonard scowled even more, directing it at Travis instead of Greg.

"I'm gonna sleep here tonight." Greg closed his eyes again because his stomach protested.

"The hell you are!" Kyler grabbed his arm and tried to pull him up. His long dark hair fell forward as he bent down, bringing himself closer to Greg's ear. "You'll ruin my hook-up."

Greg lifted his head, meeting Kyler's gaze. "Wouldn't be the first time. Remember that one time in your aunt's backyard. You invited Scott Dickson to tent with us." Greg turned onto his back, putting a hand to his stomach. "That was uncomfortable. I had to sit outside and listen to you guys go at it for like ten minutes. Longest minutes of my life."

"You never say a damn word that isn't necessary any other time. Get some alcohol in you, and you never shut up." Kyler pulled on Greg. Maybe sitting up would do the trick. It took Greg two tries, but he finally swayed on the side of the bed.

It didn't help. At all. If anything, it made the spinning worse.

"Nope." Greg lay back and put an arm over his face.

"Greg!" Kyler pulled on his arm again. "Come on, man."

Greg let Kyler have his way, moving into a sitting position again. Greg wrapped his arms around Kyler's waist and lay his forehead against his sternum. "I really like Brian, Ky. Like, like, like. Ya know? My heart hurts for him all the time."

"Greg." Kyler ran a hand down Greg's hair.

Some of his drunk disappeared enough that the emotional storm came back. "My mom…she…"

"I know. I heard about it already." Of course he had. Small town gossip got around.

Greg opened his eyes, seeing the nightstand and the bottle of vodka that wasn't as empty as he thought it should have been. He went to reach for it, but Leonard's deep voice stopped him. "You're done drinking, son."

Greg nodded and dropped his arm. Leonard never yelled or raised his voice. Greg didn't know whether that was a personality trait or because he thought Greg had had enough yelling in his life.

Greg turned toward Leonard. Brian stood behind him, which gave Greg a perfect view.

Brian pushed his glasses farther up on his nose. That gesture didn't mar his wrinkled brow or the way his eyebrows came together. "You're so perfect."

Brian's eyes widened.

Greg closed his eyes when the heat rose to his cheeks. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"

Kyler chuckled. "Yeah."

"Shit."

Kyler patted his back. "It'll all be better in the morning."

"No, it won't. I'll still be the same guy who came from Sherri and Roger Mitchell. Violence breeds violence. And who the fuck wants that. Not Brian. That's for fucking sure."

Kyler shook his head. "You can spend the night, man."

Leonard walked into the room and came over to Greg's other side. "You'll come home."

"That means we're gonna have a little chat about how I'm nothing like Sherri and Roger." Moving around pumped the alcohol through his body, making him swim in it all over again. "You can say whatever you want, but I know the truth."

They walked him out of the room and down the hall, passing Brian and the rest of the partygoers, including Andrew.

"The whole house is moving. Like one of those bouncy houses." His head felt heavy when he turned to Kyler. "Did you buy a bouncy house, Ky?"

Kyler smiled. "I told you alcohol is fun."

Greg chuckled. The sound of it came from far away.

"It won't be fun tomorrow." Leonard and his scowl put a damper on Greg's sudden good mood.

"It ain't tomorrow yet."

He wasn't sure where the rest of the house went but the next thing he knew, Leonard and Kyler were helping him into the back of Travis' truck. Greg half lay, half sat on the seat and watched as Leonard dug through Greg's jeans pocket for his truck keys. He never said a word when he finally had them. Instead he shut the door, leaving Greg to himself.

Jaron climbed into the passenger's seat and Travis behind the wheel. Greg shut his eyes and slid down the seat until he lay flat. The door near his head opened, and someone placed something soft and round on his stomach. A little puppy whined so Greg reached up, feeling around. He realized all at once that someone had put the puppy's bed on top of him. He felt around for the puppy until he touched her soft fur.

The car bounced as someone got in, lifting his head before cradling it in a lap. Fingers ran through his hair, and Greg sighed. "I don't want to be alone anymore."

"I know."

Greg didn't open his eyes, but he could've sworn those words belonged to Brian.