2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

JAMESON

Reggie’s 34 th birthday party was just supposed to be a gathering of old-time friends, a moment in time when we could see a few of our former fraternity brothers between all our busy schedules. I should have known that it would devolve into drunken chaos. Reggie was and still is a child, through and through, skating through life without a care in the world. He excels in his sales career and even more so, the nightlife he partakes in. Although, I'm not entirely sure what he's selling this month. It could be anything; the man could sell anything to anyone.

I watch as Reggie jabs playfully at one of our mutual friends, both of them bordering between tipsy and drunk. The party barely started an hour ago and I already know there will be more than one blackout drunk passed out on the lawn or in the living room by the end of the night.

Reggie has done nothing to honor his parents’ house. Sometimes, I wish that Wyatt or their younger brother, Axel fought for it or decided to sell it. At least it would be loved more than it is now. I think Wyatt’s desserts are showing that kitchen more love than it has seen in years.

A heavy sigh falls from my lips as I step out onto the patio, relishing the warm air that hits my skin. A beer in hand, I try to circumvent the Reggie situation when he pulls me over to the patio seating. Ten years ago, I would have been right there with him, downing shots and making goofy comments to solidify my frat-boy personality. Now?

I can’t.

I have someone I’m in love with. Someone who thinks they need me more than I need them. They’re wrong. I can’t breathe without Wyatt in my life and I’ve loved him far longer than he’ll ever know.

“You’re real chummy around my brother,” Reggie spits out. His eyes are unfocused but his words are harsh. “What are you doing rescuing him from me?”

I recognize the hurt in his tone but it’s unwarranted. “You know how uncomfortable Wyatt gets during your parties. The least you could have done was leave him be in the kitchen to finish preparing.” I’m more worried about Wyatt driving than I am about Reggie’s outburst in the kitchen. The constant requests have kept Wyatt here longer than he should have been and he despises driving at night. It’s a good thing he’s agreed to spend the night here.

“Look, I’m glad you’re looking out for him. That’s great but he’s my brother. I know him very well and he’s fine. He would have said something.”

Wyatt will never say anything. He hates confrontation and after the falling out between Reggie and Axel, Wyatt always tempers his anger and swallows it down so far it nearly disappears. He doesn’t want to lose anyone so he would rather forgo an emotional reaction if that means Reggie stays in his life.

I set my beer on the table in front of us before dragging a hand through my hair. “Reggie, I know you think you get it. That you just wanted to bring your brother into the fold and have him celebrate with you.” I don’t want to have this conversation when Reggie is drunk but fuck it, I’m done watching Wyatt get pushed to the side.

Reggie snorts, cutting in. “Is it so bad that I want family here to celebrate with me? Axel couldn’t be fucking bothered but Wyatt came.”

He makes it sound like his youngest brother is a problem, that Axel just decided that he wouldn’t come. In reality, Reggie decided to play parent, Axel being just 18 when their parents passed away. Axel couldn’t be his own person without Reggie having something to say about it. Silly banter between the brothers quickly morphed into heated conversations and Axel moving out of the family home.

I still remember their last argument, a few weeks after Wyatt had deployed, and the question Axel asked of Reggie. “You’re not my parent. I want my older brother back, Reggie. Can you do that?” Reggie mumbled something about trying to look out for him and Axel left. That was the last time they spoke that I know of.

Axel is flourishing on the other side of the city and I’ve seen him a few times when Wyatt and I visit for dinner.

Realizing I haven’t responded to Reggie’s statement, I sift through my thoughts for the right words. “Reggie, we’ll talk about this later. Enjoy your birthday.”

“No, we’re definitely talking about this now. Not everyone is here and I can see you’ve got that stupid brooding face on. Share with the class.”

Reggie’s going to drink himself into a stupor after this conversation. “Fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard you try to blame your brothers for your shortcomings. You treat your family like they owe you their time and attention. Axel left because you were overbearing. He needed a brother, not another parent. And Wyatt? He’s a sweet, tortured man who has a hard time being around you because you can’t respect his boundaries. He doesn’t ask for much and you still give him nothing.” It actually hurts to see Reggie so disrespectful. If Wyatt wasn’t so sweet, he would have cut Reggie off a long time ago.

My best friend snorts again, grabbing my beer to chug. He lets out a wild belch before someone across the lawn yells ‘good one!’. “Wyatt isn’t sweet, not with shoulders like that. However, you definitely like him or some shit because you’re always around when he is.”

Reggie isn’t wrong but I’m also always around because someone needs to advocate for the man.

“My brother is off limits, James.”

As he has said many times, not that I’ve ever listened. Well, I tried to be respectful when we were much younger but it was so fucking hard watching Wyatt in his senior year. And then when he left for the military without so much as a goodbye, it nearly broke my heart. I thought that was his way of telling me this couldn’t work. The day he came back, though, things changed. He sought my attention, the soft words of affection, and the gentle touches.

“Reggie, you always say the same thing.” I push to my feet, ready to escape this conversation as more people show up. “You don’t want any of your friends dating your brother but I’ll tell you this. You don’t get to dictate who your brother chooses. I’ll also tell you that if you keep trying to tell Wyatt what he can and can’t do, he’ll leave just like Axel did.” If Wyatt isn’t able to pull away, I’ll help him. He doesn’t deserve the disrespect he cops around his brother.

Reggie’s face scrunches up as he stumbles to his feet. He pokes me in the chest several times before speaking. “I don’t appreciate what you’re insinuating. Axel-”

“No. If you want to talk about this, we’ll do it sober. Just know that Wyatt and Axel are not your fucking kids. They’re your brothers. You want to look out for them? Great. Start by respecting some fucking boundaries.” I stomp off to the cooler, needing another beer. This night is going to delve into madness, a few of my fraternity brothers I recognize yelling my name. I sift easily into my college persona, a goofy grin spreading across my lips as I embrace them.

This will be my last party. I can feel it.

I can’t keep up the ruse anymore—that I care about what happened in college or that I enjoy reminiscing about days when we were younger.

My life is wrapped around that man inside the kitchen.

And I need him like I need water.

He gives me something no one else has.

His submission.

In a life where I feel wildly out of control, Wyatt offers me himself behind closed doors. He is mine to pleasure, to hold, and to take apart.

And watching as grown men stomp around the backyard like we’re 20, I silently apologize to Wyatt.

I think I’m going to need more than a fucking cuddle tonight.