Chapter Fifteen

Brian stood in the middle of his kitchen, completely forgetting why he'd come into the room. His mind emptied, like butterflies leaving the cocoon. He could stand there and think they were pretty as he watched them fly away, but nothing else came to mind. The butterflies left, flitting away as if he wasn't their home anymore. Slowly they each started coming back, except for that one that would help him remember why he'd walked into the kitchen in the first damn place.

He shook his head and left, heading down the hallway to his bedroom. As soon as he entered the room, and his eyes went to pants on the bed, he remembered why he'd left.

He sighed and went back across the house, heading to where he left his phone lay on the table. He picked it up and texted Greg. Where are we going?

He received a text even before he entered his bedroom, which made him smile. The restaurant right in town. That new place. And then TJs bar. Sound good?

Yep. I wasn't sure what to wear. That's all.

You'd look good in anything. Nothing. Whatever.

Brian chuckled. I think the good citizens of Pickleville will have a coronary if I wore nothing.

Not this citizen. I'd like it.

I will if you will.

Deal. Yeah, right.

Brian almost let that go, but then he wasn't sure if Greg was serious. It wasn't as if they knew each other well enough to know. He dialed before he could think how ridiculous he'd sound trying to find out.

Greg's deep voice answered on the first ring. It did something to Brian to hear him say the words, "Hello, honey."

He felt like one of those girls with their hair curled and their saddle shoes and full skirts, swooning as John Lennon sang the first note.

"Hi." And of course, he sounded breathy and giddy all at the same time because he couldn't sound cool and sexy at all.

He cleared his throat. "You are…um, wearing clothes, right?"

Greg chuckled. "What's the right answer?"

Brian felt as if he'd accomplished something whenever Greg laughed since he didn't very often.

He had to think about Greg's question. It was a good one, but not fair, since Brian had asked first. No matter what Brian said, he would trap himself, so he decided to go with the truth. "Full disclosure. Naked. But I don't want Andrew to arrest you. It would ruin the night, so you probably should wear clothes."

The thought of seeing Greg's broad chest and slender hips made his dick harden.

"Arrested on a first date wouldn't leave a good impression, would it?"

"Meh. I wouldn't judge you for it. I'd even bail you out. Threaten Andrew with homelessness. Whatever worked."

And there was the deep chuckle again. "I hope it's okay, but I invited Jaron and Travis to double date with us."

"Sure." That would make the conversation easier. And that was probably something they both needed, especially after the thing with the letter.

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's fine." Brian sat on his bed. "I never thanked you for all the flowers. It was too much, but I liked them."

"I'm glad you liked them. I know I sent a lot. A week felt like a month. Too long and I got a little desperate."

"Yeah, me too." Brian would have kept up the radio silence until the need for Greg ebbed a bit. "So, I'll see you soon, yeah?"

"Yeah, honey. Soon." God, the way Greg's voice softened had Brian adjusting his dick.

Of course, that was when Andrew entered the room, Molly following him like a little shadow. There went that one eyebrow, and he coupled it with a smirk. "Hi, Greg," Andrew yelled loud enough that Greg heard it.

Brian rolled his eyes. "I look forward to seeing you."

"Me too. Bye, honey." They hung up a few minutes later, and Brian set the phone on the bed.

He stood and unbuttoned his work slacks. "Are you sure you're okay taking care of Molly? You don't mind?"

"Nope. If I get called out, I'll put her in her crate and text you." Brian opened his mouth to tell Andrew when to give Molly a bottle, but Andrew said it instead. "Give her a bottle at nine o'clock. I know, vato."

"Right." Brian nodded, taking a shaky breath. "God, I've never been nervous about a date before. It's ridiculous."

"Not ridiculous if you like him a lot."

Brian more than liked Greg. "Yeah. I guess so."

"So, what are you wearing tonight? Show me." Andrew sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard and crossing his arms as he waited for Brian to hold up the pants and shirt he had picked out.

"Pants, no. Shirt, yes. You have good muscle definition. That shirt will show it off."

"What's wrong with the pants?" Brian lay the shirt back down. He laid out a clean pair of underwear because he didn't know if he would get naked later, and he wanted to prepare for every eventuality.

"They aren't tight enough."

"They hug my ass." He knew because he had worn them before.

"Show me."

"I need to shower first."

Andrew nodded and gestured toward the bathroom. He bent down and picked Molly up when she started whining. As he sat back again, his gaze seemed to land on the underwear he had laid out. He picked them up and unfolded them. "You got anything sexier?"

"Did Jaron send you in here to supervise my clothing choices or something?" Andrew's sudden interest wreaked of Jaron. Andrew wasn't a meddler in someone else's love life, but Jaron…oh, he so was.

Andrew's chuckle confirmed what Brian already suspected.

"Underwear drawer is the first one in the dresser. Knock yourself out, cupid."

"More like cupid's helper."

"I'm a grown man and can dress myself," Brian yelled as he walked farther down the hallway.

"Tell that to Jaron."

He would as soon as they arrived.

It turned out they were earlier than Brian anticipated. He heard the front door halfway through his shower, so he quickened his pace and dressed in whatever Andrew had laid out, which was the clothing he had picked out, plus a new pair of underwear. Brian didn't even remember he had them until they lay beside the shirt and pants on the bed.

Brian hurried down the hallway to find Andrew making small talk with Travis. Andrew nodded. That meant he approved of the pants.

"Hey." Jaron let go of his husband's hand long enough to hug Brian. He immediately went right back to Travis, though.

"Hey." Brian's gaze went right to Greg and didn't let go until he stood in front of him. "Hi."

Greg smiled. "Hi. I see you decided on clothing."

Brian drew him in for a hug. "You did too."

Greg was beautiful with his dark blond hair hanging loose and his brilliant eyes sparkling with humor. His full lips made Brian want to lick them. His blue eyes held a wounded strength that made Brian want to wrap him in padding and seek safety within his arms all at the same time.

"You look sexy." The compliment fell from his lips before he even knew he intended to speak.

"So do you." Greg cupped his cheek and leaned in for a kiss. He kept it to a press of his lips, but it was enough. Greg let him go with a smile, leaving Brian's brain mushy. "Shall we go?"

For a second, Brian thought about saying they should stay. Damn the clothing and dinner. They could get their protein while naked, sucking each other off. But in the end, he said, "Sure."

Greg helped Brian with his jacket. The summer night air had a bite to it. When Brian stepped outside, he could smell honeysuckle and pine. Greg stood beside him, and Brian could also smell the fragrance of whatever cologne he wore—like citrus and fresh air.