6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

JAMESON

I watch Wyatt leave, every last muscle in his body pulled tight with anxiety. He still reminds me of the soldier that deployed a few years except for moments like this when he all but melts in my hands. I always see the teddy bear version of him rather than the tattooed beast everyone claims him to be. Don't get me wrong. The tattoos are an added bonus and I know there's more strength in his hands than there is in my entire body. However, I also know that Wyatt has a soft touch, one that creates delicious masterpieces.

The smile on my face quickly disappears when Reggie stalks over to me, his hands fisted at his sides. He reminds me of a petulant child that just lost an argument rather than a grown man about to hand me my ass for dating his brother. In either situation, it’s not his choice who I or Wyatt dates. It never has been and it never will be.

Should I have mentioned something?

Probably.

But Wyatt has been at my side just as long as I’ve known Reggie. They were my family when I had none. I lean back against the counter and fold my arms across my chest. At this rate, I’ll be late for work but it’ll be worth it to have this conversation now. “What’s your real problem with Wyatt and I, Reggie? Because you’re not allowed to be angry that your brother is dating.”

“But it’s you!” He jabs a finger into my chest. His controlling nature was something to look up to in college. It made him a great fraternity president but now? It makes him an ass. We’re in our mid-30s and he still acts like his words hold the same weight. “I told him you were off limits. I told you-”

I gently pry Reggie’s finger off my chest and shake my head. “Reggie, I don’t need your fucking permission to date your adult brother. You of all people have no business telling anyone what they can and can’t do when you are constantly disrespectful of everyone’s boundaries.” I’m done playing the friend who just goes along with everything. There have been times when I’ve kept my mouth shut and shouldn’t have. “I was going to mention Wyatt yesterday but you were so fucking nasty about the idea, I thought I’d spare your brother the ridicule that would come from my confession.”

“I am not nasty to him. Wyatt just needs a little more love.”

My head falls back as I laugh. “Do you not hear yourself? He’s been trying to get you , his own brother, to love him! But everything is always about what you need.” His eyebrows bend in confusion but I’m not done. Reggie needs to hear this and even if he still doesn’t understand, it has to come from me. “I love you. You are my best friend, Reggie. You’re basically my brother but you don’t even see what you’re losing right in front of you."

"So you’d choose my little brother over me?”

I don’t understand why he worded it like that. Something twists in my head, that I should read into his words but I ignore it. “I’m not choosing anyone, Reggie. Once you get your head out of your ass, I’ll be right here. Excuse me, I’m late for work.”

I push past him, throwing a head nod to the few who are still here. They’re shocked by my harsh words but I don’t regret them. Hopefully, Reggie will understand before there is no one left to love him.