Stay(16)

In bed, he’d been just what Braden enjoyed—rough, and passionate. Verbal about what he wanted, and what he wanted done to him. A man who wanted to be fucked and wasn’t afraid to ask for it, but also who made that slow-burn curl at the base of Braden’s spine, making him wonder what it would be like to be taken by him, too.

They’d been at a bar with Noah and Cooper that night, and despite Wes’s prickly behavior with Coop, more lingered right below the surface—pain, anger and loneliness. He’d sensed it then, and he definitely saw it now. He hid it well, but for those who took the time to look, you saw it.

The only time it disappeared is when they were in bed together. It felt like the only time Wes took something just for himself. For someone like Braden, that interested him. He didn’t quite understand it, and wasn’t sure why he wanted to. It was more than just being a challenge, though; Wes just plain caught his attention.

After pulling into Wes’s driveway, he killed the engine, grabbed Jock’s ball and stepped out of the truck. He snapped his fingers. “Stay with me, boy,” he said to Jock, who trotted next to him, practically bursting from the seams to run.

It took a few minutes for the door to open after he knocked. Wes’s sister, Lydia, stood on the other side. The woman flashed him a million-watt smile. She definitely wasn’t happy to see him for the same reason most women were.

“Braden, hi. I didn’t know you were coming. Not that I didn’t want you to. I do, we do. I just didn’t know.”

He grinned and her cheeks flushed.

“I’m rambling. Sorry. Please come in.”

Jock didn’t leave his side as he stepped in the door. People stood in different groups around the room. Chips, dip and other food sat on the kitchen table.

“The best way to find Wes is to search the corners.” She laughed, but it sounded forced.

“I’ll drag him out. Even if it’s just because I’m driving him crazy.” Braden winked at her, excitement skittering through him. He liked getting under Wes’s skin. Liked being the one to fluster him both sexually and by plain frustrating him.

“You seem to know my brother,” Lydia said.

Not really. He had a feeling most people didn’t really know Wes. “A little bit.” Questions swam in her eyes. He had no doubt one of them probably circled around his sexuality, and if he was gay or not. He didn’t hide the fact that he liked to have a good time. He didn’t hide the fact that he enjoyed men as well, but it wasn’t part of his standard introduction.

He saw her confusion, though. Knew she’d probably seen him with women, probably pegging him for being in the closest. Bisexual wasn’t something most people considered, or really believed, which, if you asked him, was bullshit.

“I’m going to go.” With his thumb he pointed inside the room. “To find, Wes. I’ll see you later.” He bailed before she had the chance to ask questions.

The house wasn’t huge, but he still couldn’t find Wes. At least not in the obvious places. He said a quick hello to Cooper and Noah when someone tugged on his arm.

“Hi,” Jessie said when he looked down at her.

“Hi.”

“My polish is coming off.”

“I’m sorry. I bet Uncle Wes would repaint it. I heard he’s very good at nail polish.”

Jessie’s eyes sparkled with happiness. “Good.” Jock snuck from the other side of him and licked the side of her face.

“Jock—” Jessie’s giggle cut him off from saying anything else.

“You brought him! Can we play? I wanna play!”

As if he could read her mind, Jock’s tail started wagging like crazy.

“Well, I’m not sure. It’s dark and cold outside, so I don’t know if you’re able to. Maybe we can ask Wes.”

She crooked her finger at him, as if to say to come here. Braden kneeled next to her. “He’s hiding.”

Amusement pumped through him. “Is he?” From Braden or everyone in general, he wondered.

“Yep!” And then she ran off without him knowing where she went. The kid was a ball of energy; not that he could talk.

Noah and Cooper asked him about Jessie, and the dog. He just got through explaining that he’d seen them at the grocery store and she asked about Jock before Jessie returned, wearing a coat, gloves and a hat. “There’s a flooding light in the back yard. Aunt Lydia said we could go out there.”

He snickered at how she pronounced it. “Thank God for flooding lights.” Braden stepped back. “Ladies first. Lead the way.”

Jessie smiled and did exactly as he said, leading him to the backyard. They had a decent sized yard, with a wood fence and a swing in a tree.