Page 46 of The Step Dare

“She’s earned every bit of happiness she has.”

“That’s for sure.” I shake my head, fighting my teary eyes. “Anyway, just sounds so nice hearing you talk about your parents. And seeing how kind and compassionate your dad is with you and your feelings because the only kind of dad I know made my mom feel like shit about my sister’s death, and then when she couldn’t take it anymore, dragged her through court just so he could spend his half of custody ignoring me and resenting me for choosing her.”

Brenner rests his hand against my cheek, stroking softly, like he knows I need his touch right now.

“I hope you know, Bren, that just like I know your feelings with your mom don’t make you want my mom or your dad to be miserable, I’d never want you or him to be miserable because ofmy experience with the Piece of Shit. Even if sometimes a part of me feels a bit sad seeing how amazing your dad is.”

A tear finally breaks free, and Brenner wipes at it with his thumb. “I know.”

“Of course you do. I just wanted to tell you.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Me too,” I say, leaning into his palm as I gaze into his beautiful dark-brown eyes, appreciating the warmth of his touch. As much fun as we can have fucking around, I love moments like these just as much.

When it’s just the two of us.

The real us.

The us that isn’t just wanting to get each other off or watch each other get off.

Or all jokes and laughs, like we don’t have a care in the world.

The us we only show each other.

“I wish there were magic words I could say,” I add. “Something that would take away the sting of what’s happening, and what happened to your mom.”

“I wish I could do that with your shit too. It’d be nice if we could just have a quick chat about all the dark shit in our minds and that could clear it all up, but things aren’t ever that easy, right?”

I nod. “Right.”

His cheeks puff before he exhales slowly. Then he shakes it off. “Let’s restart the movie. And I’ll cuddle the shit out of you to make me feel better. Come on, assume the position.”

“Oh, do we cuddle now?” I ask.

“Shut up and be a good big spoon.”

I laugh as we adjust. I slide down, resting my head on the pillow as he pushes his body against me. I hook my arm around him, tucking my hand under the hem of his shirt as his ass pushes close against my crotch.

“Let’s see how long it takes me to get you hard like this,” he teases.

I glide my hand across his abs. “You get me hard,” I say, “and I swear, I’m gonna tickle the fuck out of you.”

Being besties, we’ve had our share of tickle fights, and as I get close to where I know he’s sensitive on his abdomen, he grabs my hand. “Uh-uh.” He glances over his shoulder. “Don’t forget I know where you’re sensitive too, and I’ll go right for under your arms.”

I grunt. “Guess you win this time.”

“Second win of the night,” he says.

“First win!”

“Uh-uh, you agreed to the first. And working on my third now.” He jiggles his ass against my crotch, making me laugh, even as I find it’s working pretty fast.

I can’t help noting that even though the threat of a tickle is gone, he keeps his hand on mine, relaxing his hold. I grip gently to remind myself that, despite everything that happened in the past, I’m safe here with him.

I grab the remote and restart the movie, and as the credits start rolling, I keep waiting for him to let go of my hand.

He doesn’t, though.

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