Page 86 of Get Undressed With Me

Theo raised his glass, rolling his eyes at his brother before taking a drink, and Gus was suddenly struck with how different their relationship was from his and Robbie’s. They worked together on this game for years before Hayden was able to finish, and Theo was always supportive of Hayden’s dream. More importantly, before that, Hayden’s streaming helped to fund the restaurant, which turned into a smashing success. The brothers were there for each other, always, closer than they like othersto see, and Gus suddenly realized that he and Robbie were not like that. He wouldn’t trust Robbie with money for a new career. When Robbie had first announced he was going to stream, Gus had assumed it was yet another weird ‘get rich quick’ scheme. And while Robbie had stuck with it longer than his last few jobs, Gus still wasn’t really convinced it was something that would keep him going. And Gus knew, without a doubt, if he needed anything… Gus knew Robbie wouldn’t be his first call for help. And that made him really, really sad.

Gus shifted his attention back to Hayden, who had been thanking various developers on the game, but had just gripped Min’s hand tighter, pulling her closer to his side.

“And most of all,” Hayden continued. “I want to thank this beautiful woman next to me.”

Catcalls from the crowd resounded, and Gus joined in as Brittany screamed loudly for her friends. Min blushed as Hayden turned to her.

“Min, you are everything I didn’t know I needed in my life. The game wouldn’t be here without you. My life would be a sad shadow of what it could be. You brought me out into the world and showed me love and beauty and exactly the best ways to kill zombies.”

The crowd laughed, then gasped as Hayden pulled a small box out of his pocket. From the way Min’s mouth was hanging open, she hadn’t known this was coming. Brittany was up, trying to kneel on the seat of the booth to get a better look, and Gus steadied her with a hand to her back.

“Min, I can’t imagine my life without you. You are essential to absolutely every aspect. So, once again, I’m going to do this big, public grand gesture, and hope like hell you’re willing to take a leap with me.”

He went down on one knee, and flashes went off around the crowd as everyone took pictures and video. Hayden slowlyopened the box, and even from this distance, Gus could see the glint of a substantial diamond.

“Minerva Hayes, will you marry me?”

Tears were pouring out of Min’s eyes, but she was nodding “yes” as emphatically as she could. A cheer went up over the crowd as Hayden slipped the ring on her finger and then pulled her tight into an embrace. Brittany was doing her best to jump up and down on the seat as their entire table vied to be the loudest.

Brittany turned accusatory eyes to Theo.

“You knew he was going to do this.”

Theo shrugged.

“Of course, I did.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“Well, I can’t believe you had sex in my bathroom, so I guess we’re even.”

Brittany laughed and rushed out of the booth with Devery and Iris, making their way over to where the newly engaged couple were taking pictures and accepting well wishes.

This left Gus alone at the table with Theo.

“Congrats, man,” Gus said, meaning it.

“Thanks.”

There was a wistfulness about Theo then, something Gus had never seen in the chef’s expression.

“You okay?”

Theo nodded.

“Yeah. It’s just… it’s been just me and him for so long, you know? It’s hard to think of another person being there with us. With him.”

Gus nodded, understanding. He felt the same way about Robbie.

“It’s hard watching your little brother grow up, I guess is what I’m saying. Especially when…” Theo’s voice trailed off, his eyes glancing back to the kitchen.

“Especially when you feel stuck?”

Theo met his eyes at that. Gus shrugged.

“I’m an older brother, too. And Robbie sure doesn’t have his shit together, but there are times when he’s out, or he’s streaming, or we’re just hanging, and he seems so happy I just sit there and wonder what I’m doing wrong. I spent our childhood taking care of him, and now he’s this adult doing adult things, and what am I doing with my life?”

Theo nodded to where Brittany was admiring Min’s new engagement ring.

---