Chapter Five

Coming home to normal family sounds was something Brad wouldn't ever take for granted. After being in prison, where he'd slept and shit next to a man who'd killed not just one person but a family of three. The constant sounds of men living in a confined space created a level of savagery that had nothing to do with their reasons for incarceration. He wouldn't miss that for anything, but prison had made him appreciate the small moments, like Caden and Luis arguing over cheese in the kitchen.

"All I'm saying is, if you wrap the block of cheese in plastic wrap after you're done, it'll stay fresh." Luis's statement told Brad a lot about his current mental state, and it wasn't a pleasant story, although it just affirmed what he already suspected.

"Oh my God, if it gets you to shut up, I'll wrap plastic around the entire kitchen." And there it was, Caden poking the bear. The reason Brad stayed out of it, besides the fact that he was in the bathroom, dressing after a shower, was that he didn't know if walking on eggshells around Luis was a good idea.

The phone ringing made the arguing stop. The ceasefire wouldn't last long, but the reprieve was welcome. When Luis yelled his name, Brad was already making his way into the battle zone.

Luis grinned as he held out the landline phone to Brad.

"Who is it?" The grin, more than the actual call, confused him.

Luis looked like the cat who ate the canary.

Brad got very few business calls on the landline. Most clients called his cellphone. The only people who would call the landline and ask for him were his friends, and even then, it wasn't very often. With Travis and Jackson, they were more likely to meet face-to-face. The one other person who might call was Jaron, but he wasn't a big phone conversation guy either.

There was one way to find out. Brad took the receiver. "Hello?"

"I…um…hi." Kendrick's sweet, shy voice came through the other end. The hesitation between every word spoke of his nerves.

Brad wanted to soothe Kendrick, but he didn't know how. It seemed like everything he did had the exact opposite effect. "Is the temporary fix holding up okay?"

"Oh. Yes. I think so. That's not why I'm calling."

Huh. "Okay. How can I help?" The phone was cordless, so Brad moved out of the kitchen away from his nosy brothers. He stopped halfway down the hall and leaned against the wall.

"Well, I…um…I know I'm…well, weird around you. And…Luis asked me to come to dinner, and I'd like to do that." Kendrick said that last part so fast it took Brad's brain a second to catch it all. "If you want that."

"Luis asked you to dinner?" Brad knew damn well Luis didn't have a thing for Kendrick, and even if he did, why would Kendrick call and ask for Brad?

"Yes. He…um…he thought it would help me."

God, Kendrick would have confused Brad if he didn't know Kendrick feared him. "I'd never hurt you, Kendrick."

"Oh shit. I'm sorry. That's not…it's not what I think." Kendrick paused and seemed to take a few deep breaths. "I'm very nervous. Around you all the time. I'm sorry. I can't help it. Just please don't think it's because I fear you'd hurt me."

"Okay." Brad had never been more confused in his life. "You're more than welcome at our home anytime, Kendrick."

"Thank you, but I'd like it if it were a date. If you're willing, I mean." Kendrick chuckled as if the sound released some of his nerves. "I did it. I actually asked you out."

Kendrick was so cute with his response, it made Brad smile. "A date sounds nice."

"There are a few things you need to know first." Kendrick didn't wait for him to respond to that. He just plowed forward as if he needed to say the words before he chickened out. "I'm not attracted to very many people. Not since…not for years."

Brad could relate. "I understand. I'm not either."

"I am to you and that scares me. It's easier talking about it over the phone."

"Why is that, Kendrick?" Brad knew the answer. His father had abused him, so he knew what that looked like on a person. And even though he didn't want to hear Kendrick say it, getting it out in the open was an important step. Probably for both of them.

"My last relationship. He…um…abused me. Physically and emotionally." Kendrick took another deep breath. "I don't want pity or whatever. And I don't want you to feel bad, thinking it's something else. I just think you need to know because a date with me is a lot because of my mental health. I know that. And I understand if you don't want to go anymore."

"My father abused me. I've dealt with it and still am, but I might get overly sensitive about certain things. Like my reputation around town, which I earned by the way, although it's been several years since I've done anything to earn it. I get overly protective of my loved ones as well, and I won't apologize for it. If that means you want to renege on the date than I'll understand too."

"I want the date."

Brad smiled. "Me too."

Kendrick chuckled again. "I'm so glad I got that over with."

Brad chuckled with him. When they both quieted, he said, "My brothers and I can't cook very well and I haven't planned the meal yet, but would you like to come tonight?"

The sooner he was in Kendrick's presence the better.

"I can cook."

"You don't have to." The last thing Brad wanted was for Kendrick to think he made a demand. "We could grill. I make a good steak. I'd just have to go to the grocery."

"Can we cook together? I'll buy the groceries we'll need."

"I'd really like that." Brad couldn't think of a better way to spend his time than being in the same room with Kendrick for the time it would take to make a meal. And then they would sit together at the table and eat it.

"Would you…um…some stuff we'll need isn't at the market in town. Will you come with me to the one in Harbor Shire?"

"Sure." It just meant more time with him, so Brad was down for anything. "Should I pick you up?"

"Yes. Please. I just have to wait for one of my employees to show. He has a sick wife, so he's sometimes late."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Yeah, me too. Just a second, Brad."

"Sure."

Kendrick talked to someone. The conversation was brief and had to do with bar business. Kendrick kept his voice muffled, probably with a hand over the receiver. When he addressed Brad, his voice was clear. "At my house in thirty minutes?"

"I'll see you then."

Brad almost hated hanging up, but the conversation would have delayed them being together in person, so Brad ended the call and carried the phone into the kitchen.

Luis still grinned like a lunatic. "Well?"

"What?"

"Did you ask him out?" Luis splayed his fingers out as if they asked right along with his mouth.

"Wait. What did I miss?" Caden darted his gaze between Brad and Luis.

"So Kendrick, the guy who owns the bar, has the major hots for Brad. He chubs out and gets all weird around him." Of course, Luis had to say it straight. Why would he hold anything back?

Most of what Luis said wasn't news to Brad. After talking to Kendrick, he understood Kendrick was just as attracted to him as he was to Kendrick. What was news to him was Kendrick getting hard in front of him. "I'm very glad the two of you can bond over my phone call, but first, you better not be looking at Kendrick like that and you better not embarrass him when he's here."

"So you asked him out?"

"Yeah."

Caden grinned. "My older brother finally has a date. Never thought I'd see the day."

If Brad had been anyone with a normal, nice childhood, he would have taken that as Caden teasing, but he knew Caden meant every word. The hug he got only confirmed it. "Thanks, Caden."

"I'm just glad you're living life again."

"Me too." He hadn't felt as if he were drowning like he did before prison and therapy, but maybe he had been living life with his eyes shut.

Maybe Caden was right. Dating again meant Brad had opened them for the first time in his entire life, even if it was just a crack.