Page 7 of Game of Revenge

The brothers are sleeping in separate rooms in our rental, constantly bickering, and I was hoping being somewhere else would help. Unfortunately, Jefferson, Texas, isn’t exactly a romantic location.

I’m really trying though. It feels as if I’m the only one who is. Tray drives silently into Jefferson, grimly looking around as he drives toward the inn we made a reservation at.

They didn’t have anything large enough for four people, so we’re unfortunately staying in two rooms. I told Tray I’ll room with whoever needs me to keep the peace when he made the reservations.

Brian didn’t want to put his mother out for a short trip. She’s going to be working at the hospital anyways, so the inn was the best place.

Just wish we could all get along for one weekend.

“You shouldn’t have to walk on eggshells for your relationships,”are the words Tray gave me once he hung up the phone.

Fuck if he isn’t right but I despise fighting. We’ve been happy for so long and it feels as if suddenly we aren’t anymore. Did I miss the signs? How did this happen?

Holding back a sigh, I look down at my jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt, wondering if this is the right thing to wear.

“Hey Brian, what’s the dress code for the reunion?” I ask him. “Do we need to change or anything?”

Brian’s facial expression softens as he turns toward me. “I swear, the world doesn’t deserve you, Kier. It said they wanted button-ups and nice pants, but I couldn’t care less. I’m just really happy you’re with me,” he says. “I always swore I wouldn’t come back here.”

“We are though,” Michael says with a sigh. “I saw what you went through here, Brian. I have this awful feeling, and it’s making me an asshole.”

“Even more than normal?” Tray asks with a smirk, to which Michael snorts in derision.

“I know, I know,” he grumbles. “This place just feels evil.”

“It’s just a town,” I say gently. “We’re some of the scariest people I know. We'll be in and out of here so fast, their heads will spin in gay pride flags.”

I won’t hide my love for my guys. They’re my family, even while we’re going through a rough patch. We’ll either be able to move through it or not. I’ll call a family meeting when we get home and either get this figured out with words or masks and a paint gun fight. Whatever works, I don’t care.

“We packed for either,” Tray says with a sigh. “Let’s grab our room keys. I want a shower before we go. We made good time from Whitney.”

Nodding, it’s actually one thing no one fights about as Tray pulls into the parking lot.

“It all looks the same from when we were in school,” Brian murmurs. “Same businesses, same people that walk the streets, it feels surreal.”

“This town may not have changed, but you have,” Michael reminds him. “For the better, I mean. Leaving helped you grow into the person you are today. You hate bullies, bigots, and dickheads.”

“So why do I love you,” Brian teases him as Michael pops him over the head.

This is the brotherly love I can handle. They’re always horsing around, it’s the jealousy that gets difficult to handle. Getting out of the car, we grab our bags and head into the lobby of the inn to get our keys.

An older woman with curly gray hair and large bottle cap glasses greets us with a smile as we walk in.

“Hello,” she says. “Welcome to the Sunny Day Inn. What’s the name for your reservations?”

Smiling back, I give her my first and last name. “It’s for two rooms, please.”

“They’re king sized rooms. Will that be a problem?” she asks worriedly, glancing between us all.

“No, ma’am,” Michael says smoothly. “We’re brothers so we’ll stay together. Brian and I went to high school together and we’re here for his reunion.”

“Oh, you’re a Bulldog. How wonderful,” she says happily, clapping. The information makes her forget to ask if I have a problem sharing a room with Tray, since we’re obviously not related, and she checks us in.

Amused, I nudge Michael’s shoulder as we walk up the narrow stairs to the second floor.

“That was impressive,” I murmur softly.

“I still got it,” he responds with a shrug. “Misdirection through oversharing works every time here. When in doubt, make them focus on something else.”

---