Page 45 of Messing With My Brother's Best Friends

“What?” I paid them little mind, moving to the kitchen before pulling out fry pans and spatulas, bread, bacon, and eggs. This provoked only greater hilarity. Connor was actually wheezing, slapping a hand down on the counter to try to catch his breath. “What the fuck…?”

“Did you decide to dress up extra special for Kendall this morning?” Gage asked with a smirk.

“No, I didn’t think…”

I followed his finger as he pointed at my chest, and I saw myself clearly for the first time this morning. Every inch of my skin was covered in neon-pink glitter.

“What the…?” I caught the moment Kendall snuck out of her room, shooting us a guilty look, then her expression became a perfect echo of Connor’s. She fought back a smile, failed, and then burst out laughing, the musical sound of her giggle filling the house, right as she ran out the door. “Fuck.”

My girl had pranked me. I wanted to give her my heart, and she covered me in Barbie-pink glitter.

“I dunno why you’re laughing,” I said to Gage, who was going red with the effort of holding back chuckles. “She’s pranked me and Connor, so you’re next.”

His smile faded then, but it wasn’t replaced by anything negative. Instead, he looked around the kitchen thoughtfully, eyes finally settling on the flowers.

“Bring it on.”

Chapter 24

Connor

I was so close to having every bloody thing I’d dreamed of, and yet was no closer to getting it. We stood in line for our morning coffees, not at Kendall’s bakery, because I needed time to think, when an older woman edged closer. I looked up, wondering if she needed the time or directions, but instead, she just shot us that kind of soft smile only grandmas seem to master.

“I just wanted to say how proud I am of you.”

“Sorry?”

That came out without even thinking.

“You’re very brave,” she continued. She looked so hopeful, and yet when I glanced at the others, I knew she was just a stranger, so I waited to see if this was a dementia thing or what. “When I was growing up, boys like you had to be very careful about expressing themselves, otherwise they’d risk getting shunned or worse.” She reached over and patted Van’s hand, while I just stared. “But now you can be out and proud about who you are.”

Oh fuck, she thought Van was gay.

The pink glitter was probably what was tripping her trigger. Van had jumped back in the shower once Kendall made a hasty retreat, and while he looked slightly less like Barbie vomit, there was still enough glitter clinging to him and his clothes to make the lady think my best mate liked driving stick.

“And is this your boyfriend?”

Jesus, now she was looking at me.

“Connor?” A grin spread across his face, giving me a little warning, right before his arm was slung around my neck. He pressed a rough kiss to the side of my face, right before I shoved him off. “Ouch, babe.” He danced out of reach when I growled at him. “No need to get aggressive this early in the morning.” He leaned closer to the woman. “He’s a total animal, but Gage…”

The man himself crossed his arms and glared at Van.

“He’s the tall, silent type but really possessive.”

“Two boyfriends!” Her eyebrows shot so high I was beginning to think they’d jump off her face. “I didn’t realise people did that sort of thing nowadays. I mean, there was a bit of friskiness when I was young. Husbands tossing their keys in a glass bowl and then…”

Her hand fluttered as it came to rest on her chest, and then she smiled.

“But you don’t need to know about that. Now, my grandson has recently come out as queer, and I’m still trying to get the terminology right. Are you what they’d call a twink?” she asked Van.

“He totally is.” I moved in and rubbed my hand through his hair roughly. “Our little twinkie. Sweet and with little nutritional value.”

“Oh, well—”

“He’s a wolf,” Van shot back, thrusting a thumb my way. “And Gage is totally a bear.”

“Right, so—”

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