Page 61 of Throw Down

James regarded him with growing curiosity.He took a step toward the cabin.Derek was prepared to block the doorway or toss his brother out on his ass, if necessary, but it didn’t come to that.The door opened behind him, and Sabbath sprinted into the yard with a joyful yelp.

“Come back here, you little brat!” Briar called.He stepped smoothly out onto the porch, looking bright and awake and perfectly coifed.Even Derek wouldn’t have guessed he’d been naked underneath him only ten minutes earlier.Briar froze, looking surprised, and said, “Oh, hey.James, right? Can you grab her?I’m just delivering Sabbath back home.”

James dropped his clipboard and caught Sabbath by her collar, looking surprised.“I thought Derek gave her up?” he asked.

“Oh, he tried. But I’ve got my ways.” Briar’s eyes were twinkling as they met Derek’s.He winked. “No one would take the little escape artist.So, he’s stuck with her.”

The lie was smooth, a patch to cover the hole in Derek’s world that he wasn’t ready to face.

Sabbath barked and scrabbled at James’ legs, an unwitting accomplice with big, trusting eyes.James crouched down to ruffle her ears, looking delighted.

“Good,” James said with satisfaction.“The stubborn jerk needs her.”

“What I really need is a full day without someone asking me for a favor,” Derek retorted, raising one eyebrow.His heart felt like a drum in his tight chest.

Briar shifted subtly closer, shoulders touching in silent support.

Everything about this moment felt wrong.The cabin that had been their sanctuary now felt like a stage, and James didn’t look like he was buying their amateur performance.His gaze shifted between them, brows drawn together in confusion.

“Briar was just leaving,” Derek said abruptly.He couldn’t look at Briar as he said it.“Grab what you need and head out with him.”

“Okay,” James agreed, giving Sabbath one final pat before rising back to his full height.“But I promised everyone I’d bring you along to the Fish Fry.”

“Why the hell did you do that?” Derek asked, exasperated.

“The kids have been asking to see you.”

“Why?” Derek injected as much distaste as he could into his tone.“I don’t even like them.”

“You don’t?” Briar asked, looking appalled.

James laughed, unintimidated by Derek’s killing look, and said, “Don’t listen to him.He loves those kids, just like he loves the pup here.He just likes to pretend he’s Mr. Tough Guy.Keeps everyone’s expectations in check.You ever been to a Fish Fry, Briar?”

“Oh, sure. We have ‘em all the time in the city,” Briar said wryly.

“You should come. We have one every year out at the reservoir.It’s a laid-back thing, but it’ll be a good way for you to meet more folks from town.You’ve been here, what? A year?And no one’s ever seen you hang out with anyone except Nate Silva and this big oaf.”

Derek cut a sharp look at James, but his brother only cocked his head back at him.His expression was full of mischief.

Briar frowned and slid Derek an uncertain glance from the corner of his eyes.He looked cornered. Derek knew him; he knew Briar loved any excuse to be social and how eager he was to make friends in a town where he still felt like an unwanted implant.He wanted to agree so badly that Derek could practically taste his hope.But no matter how much he wanted it, Briar would never do anything to make Derek’s life more difficult.

“I’ve got a lot on my plate,” Briar said hesitantly, and then seemed to strike inspiration when he added, “Besides, I haven’t driven up to the reservoir on my own before.GPS keeps sending me up random logging roads every time I leave town.”

“I’ll bring him," Derek found himself saying.

Both men looked at him in surprise.Derek didn’t blame them; he’d surprised himself.It was a stupid impulse. Bringing Briar to the Fish Fry meant exposing him to more eyes and more prying questions, but Briar subverted his own needs every day to keep Derek’s secret.The least Derek could give him was one day of fun.

“Oh. Good. That’s…good.” James blinked rapidly, then gave himself a hard shake and beamed up athim.“Get there early, okay? I could use some help with set-up.”

“Are you sure?” Briar whispered from the corner of his frozensmile.

Derek exhaled slowly. He waited until James disappeared into the garage before reaching out to give Briar’s hand a quicksqueeze.

“I don’t want to keep you prisoner out here with me,” he saidquietly.“I want you to make friends. I want you to meet myfamily.We just need to becareful.”

The happiness on Briar’s face made the risk worthit.

Chapter Twenty-Four

---