Page 40 of Doubling Down

“And a vegetable,” Eric said.

Ezra nodded.

Brandon whined.

Okay, Eric wasn’t a total pushover. “No corn,” Ezra said. He hated corn and Annabelle wouldn’t touch the stuff.

“No corn,” Eric promised. “You boys finish up. I’m going to change clothes now. I don’t have to wear a suit tonight.”

“K!” Brandon waved him away.

Eric left the room and Ezra moved to his knees. “Do you want me to help you clean up?”

“No. I might play later. I don’t sleep much.”

Ezra had noticed. The dark circles under his eyes were very evident of Brandon’s sleepless nights. And had increased since Ezra had gotten there. Brandon hadn’t opened up to him though.Maybe in time? Or better he could totally push Brandon and Dom together and Dom would figure out how to help their new friend.

“If you want me to help clean up, just let me know.”

Brandon smiled. “Sure.”

Ezra climbed to his feet. “Thanks for this. I needed the break.”

Brandon stood as well. “No, thank you.” He looked away quickly. “I didn’t think I would ever have this again.”

Ezra stepped closer. “Being little?”

Brandon nodded, still not looking at him.

“Can I ask why?” Maybe he would push just a little. He was curious! Ezra also wanted to help Brandon. To make him smile.

“Something bad happened. A while ago,” Brandon said with a shrug. “I didn’t… It was bad.”

Ezra linked his fingers with Brandon’s. “Are you okay now?” Stupid question. Brandon’s trauma was obvious. “Safe, I mean.”

Brandon finally looked back at him. “I am. And I’m healing. It’s okay to not be okay yet. I have a strong support system.”

It sounded a lot like Brandon was repeating something he had been told.

“Good.” Ezra squeezed Brandon’s fingers as he heard Annabelle call out for him.

“Go!” Brandon told him. “I’m going to make sure my brother doesn’t burn down the house.”

They giggled together before Ezra went to go get his little girl.

Chapter Eight

Ezra

Ezra could hear that Eric was talking but for the life of him Ezra couldn’t force himself to pay attention to the words. He hadn’t expected to enter the kitchen to see Eric gulping down a bottle of water while topless with sweat pouring down his muscular chest.

The same muscular chest that Ezra had come all over just a couple nights ago. Damn! Did Eric live at the gym or what?

Ezra’s eyes were transfixed on the lone drop of sweat that slowly crawled in between Eric’s muscular pecs and down. Ezra’s mouth was so dry. He tried to swallow.

Fingers snapping in front of his face drew Ezra’s gaze back up.

Eric smirked. The cocky bastard. He knew exactly what he was doing to Ezra. Ezra wanted to…well he wanted to do a lot. Eric had eaten with them the previous night, played with Annabelle on the floor, before having to head back to work.

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