Page 20 of Betting Brett

Andy smiles, squeezing my hand. "Come on, let's get you something to eat."

We get up from the couch and head into the kitchen. The delicious aroma of the spaghetti carbonara Andy made earlier fills the air, making my stomach growl in response. Andy chuckles, a hand on my lower back. "Hungry?"

"Starving,” I say as I take a seat at the small scratched-up wooden table, mindlessly fidgeting with the edge of the placemat.

Andy heats up the leftovers he saved, placing a heaping plate in front of me. I dig in, the flavors bursting in my mouth. "This is amazing," I say, taking another bite.

Andy smiles, taking a seat across from me. "Izzy thought so too. She practically licked her plate clean."

I laugh, the sound loud to my ears after the day I've had. "Sounds like her. So," I begin, a playful glint in my eye, "Did you make a plate for our eight-legged roommate?"

Andy groans, burying his face in his hands. "No, no spider jokes.” I laugh again, the sound light and carefree, making a choice to focus on the good. “Well, you better hurry before he gets mad at you.”

He shoots me a mock glare. "Okay, enough about the spider, I can only talk about it for so long before I start feeling like they’re crawling all over me."

I smirk, taking another bite of my spaghetti. My eyes go wide as I point to his shoulder. "What is that!?”

Andy jumps up and starts smacking at his shoulder before he realizes I was teasing. He settles back down, rolling his eyes and laughing, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, you’re such an asshole."

We continue to banter back and forth, keeping it deliberately light as a welcome distraction from the horrors of the day. As I finish eating, I find myself smiling, laughing, feeling more like myself. The images of the crime scene are still there, lurking at the corners of the laughter and smiles, but they are becoming less and less potent.

Eventually, I finish my meal. Andy takes my dishes and stacks them in the dishwasher, hitting the start button on the way back. "Come on," he says, holding out a hand. "Let's get some rest."

I nod, taking his hand and letting him lead me to my bedroom. There’s no chance that I want him anywhere other than with me tonight. The bedside lamp casts a warm light over the room, and the familiar surroundings are a comfort. We change into my T-shirts and boxers and climb into bed. Andy pulls me close, wrapping his arms around me, his warmth seeping into my bones.

I feel like I’m home. Like I’m in a sanctuary where no one can touch us. No one can ruin the peace that we’ve created.

It’s all I’ve ever really wanted, and I don’t ever want to let it go.

I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The rhythmic sound lulls me into a sense of safety. I'm grateful for Andy, for my best friend, and for whatever we are becoming.

We drift off to sleep, wrapped up in each other's arms, the worries of the world forgotten.

The soft chirping of birds outside the window wakes me up the next morning. I stretch, feeling the warmth of Andy's body pressed against mine. A smile tugs at my lips as I breathe in his scent. But my smile fades as I hear the soft padding of feet outside the bedroom door. The door creaks open, and Izzy's curious eyes peek inside. "Daddy?" she whispers, her eyes wide with surprise. "Does Uncle Andy live here now?"

I sit up, pulling the covers around me, laughing. Thankfully, we had both gone to bed fully clothed and exhausted as hell yesterday, so there was nothing that needed to be hidden. "No, sweetie," I reply, my voice gentle. "He just stayed over last night."

“Like a grown-up sleepover?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Isabelle nods, her gaze shifting between Andy and me. "Okay," she says, already over the novelty. "Can we have pancakes for breakfast?"

I chuckle, ruffling her hair. "Of course, kiddo. Let's get to it."

I head to the kitchen with Isabelle while Andy showers. The events of last night and the love and promises I shared with Andy are all still fresh in my mind. As I look at Isabelle, her eyes shining with excitement, I'm determined to focus on what truly matters. Family. Love. Being Together. As I whip up a fresh batch of chocolate chip pancakes with Isabelle and Andy by my side, I’m almost swamped by gratitude for the life that I have.

13

Andy

Aweekhaspassedsince the night Brett had to work late, and life in Shafter Falls seems to have mostly returned to its usual rhythm. The sun is already high in the cloudy sky as I make my way to Leeanne’s, the local café and popular breakfast spot that's become a regular meet-up place for me and my friends. It's named after the owner, an older woman with a heart of gold and some of the best fresh pies I've ever tasted. The bell above the door jingles as I enter, and I'm immediately greeted by the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods.

Paul and Lee are already seated at our usual corner table, deep in conversation. I slide into the booth, the red vinyl squeaking against my jeans. Paul, with his bright, friendly eyes and sharp features, is Sam's partner and other half. The two had been each other’s first boyfriends and reconnected later in life, proving that love always finds a way back home. Lee, on the other hand, is Paul's best friend from Denver, a tall, broad-shouldered, lean man with a vivacious and equally friendly smile and an impeccable fashion sense. Lee came to help Paul plan his wedding to Sam, fell in love with Hank, Sam’s adopted brother, and never got around to leaving. I vaguely remember Paul from school, but I was aggressively welcomed into their circle when they discovered I had moved back and was out. I’m so glad. Making friends with these two feels natural and easy in a way that adult friendship never has before for me.

"Morning!" I greet, giving a side hug to Paul and a friendly wave to Lee.

"Hey, Andy," Paul replies with a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "How's life treating you?"

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