Page 7 of Just Bromantically Invested

“I’d rather you all use your imaginations. It’s more fun that way.”

“You lost your clothes, didn’t you?” Molly asks.

“Gotta ruin my fun, huh?”

“It was obvious.”

Rush blinks up at me. “If you wanted to try something different, I could have made it for you.”

“Thanks, but I think my chicken days are over.” I strip out of the costume, and as grateful as I am that Penn rescued me, I’m happy to be free of how claustrophobic that felt.

Penn is the greatest bestie ever because he’s always there for me, no matter what I’ve thrown at him during our friendship. I think that’s one of the main reasons I’ve fallen ass over tit in love with him.

Sure, he’s a gorgeous guy. Flawless brown skin, thick lashes, and full lips that hold the type of smile that makes my heart stop. He’s also talented and has endless patience and never ever makes me feel the way my family does.

Like I’m crazy. Like a disappointment.

Mom and Dad are the country club types. They enjoyed bragging about my baseball talent, and they’ve never recovered from me leaving that life behind. Where I tried to make the most of things, all I get from them is snide comments and disgust at my “lifestyle” choices. And that’s not a synonym for being gay. It’s them telling me that being a nudist is unnatural and embarrassing for them to wrap their heads around.

Thankfully, I have my new family, and like Penn, these guys don’t judge.

“Does this mean the chicken suit is up for grabs?” Xander wonders.

“Dude, what the fuck do you want with it?”

Seven lets out a long-suffering groan. “Tell me you don’t want to jerk off in it?”

“Of course not.” Xander scowls prettily. “I like the feathers.”

“Have at it,” I tell him.

He scoops it up and cuddles it in his lap.

I probably should have checked with Penn first, but when I glance over, he’s already gone. As much as I want to hope he’s ducked into the bathroom, the way my heart sinks at the empty space where he was standing before tells me he’s definitely left.

Obviously, I distracted Penn from something today, and it’s not like I can expect to take up his entire afternoon, but since he was here, I thought he might stay for dinner. Maybe I could have roped some of the guys into a board game or two. I’m pretty sure there’s still a puzzle on the go in the dining room.

Not that it matters, because he has a life, and I need to stop taking up so much time from it.

“Did Penn leave?” Christian asks suddenly.

“Ah, yeah.” Wish he’d at least said goodbye. “He had things to do.” I’m assuming and not lying. At least that’s what I tell myself because it’s easier than facing the fact we’ve been hanging out less lately.

Rush gives me a sad smile. Out of all my brothers, he’s the one who knows about the feelings I have for my best friend, and we’ve had way too many conversations about me needing to move on. Rush is literal with his thinking, but I’m more of a … an idealist. What’s the best version of any situation? That’s the one I’ll be picturing.

With all the shitty things I’ve been through in life, I still choose to focus on the positive.

I’m not sure I’d get out of bed if I didn’t.

I’m coveredin dirt and sweat, clothes sticking to my skin and making me feel smothered by the material, but no way amI risking taking my clothes off again. Not after yesterday. I’ve just finished laying the final roll of turf when Penn rounds the house.

He lets out a long whistle. “This looks amazing.”

“It will when we’re done.” I gratefully take the bottle of cold water he offers to me. “I’m going to start on the garden beds tomorrow.”

Penn grins at me, making my stomach do that swimming thing. “You’re really talented, you know?”

“Me? This is your design.”

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