Page 62 of Truth or Spare

Theo had his work cut out for him but he was ready to roll up his sleeves and soothe Dewey’s wounds with comfort food and gentle sex. While there had been much to celebrate, Roddy’s return had been a shock for everyone and his reunion with Dewey and Bryce had been intense. After, Dewey had been quieter and slower and Theo worried the day had been too draining for him. But Theo had a plan to salvage the evening.

Once they got in out of the cold.

It had begun to snow about an hour before the bowling alley closed and it was up to Walter’s chest by the time Dewey parked in his driveway. Walter did his business quickly and beat them to the front door, groaning impatiently until he was let in. He went straight to the bed Dewey had made for him in the living room and burrowed into an old quilt.

“I hope you enjoy lentils and butternut squash,” Theo said, hanging his coat and heading for the kitchen. “Cassie picked up a squash and a few other Dinge so I could make Leo’s favorite soup and pasta—Cappellacci di Zucca—for you. I had a head start so it won’t be long,” he reassured Dewey.

“Something already smells delicious,” he said as he followed Theo.

“Bryce drove me back while you were doing the lanes so I could roast the squash and start the soup,” he explained as they passed the stairs and used his shoulder to push the kitchen door. “This is what I always made when Leo had a long day and the weather was bad.”

It had beenyearssince Theo had cooked to comfort his brothers and he was excited for an opportunity to prove he was competent at something other than spending money.

“I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,” Dewey said and took Theo’s hand, stopping him. “Can I tell you something, before you get started?”

“Of course…” Theo raised a wary brow. “I thought we were done with secrets.”

Dewey shook his head, laughing softly. “It’s nothing bad and I don’t think this is much of a secret. But I get stuck and scared whenever I try to tell you.”

“Scared?” Theo’s neck craned. “You’re not sending me back to the Winnie, are you? I haven’t even unpacked yet.”

“Sending you back?” Dewey snorted. “Could you imagine sharing that with Roddy? He’s a lot bigger than me and we were like sardines in there.”

“I rather liked being a sardine with you,” Theo said.

A shaky laugh wafted from Dewey. He seemed so tired and Theo worried that he was hanging on by a thread. “I did too,” he said with a weak chuckle as he fiddled with the collar of Theo’s shirt. “A lot. In fact, I was hoping that this trial week wouldn’t be a trial, and that you’d want to stay. With me. Here.”

“I have to, now that Roddy’s in my Winnie,” Theo countered, earning a suffering look from Dewey.

“I’m trying, but you’re making this really hard!” he whispered and Theo pretended to zip his lips. Dewey thanked him and took a deep breath. “I’m hoping you’llstay—here, withme—and give this chance because I...” Dewey’s lips clamped and he squeezed his eyes shut. “Hold on. Let me start over.” He forced out a long breath and whispered a prayer. “Theo, I don’t want you to go—ever—because I lo—” Dewey let out a strained whimper and whipped around. “Why are you such a big fuckin’ chicken?” he hissed at himself and needed the counter for support.

“Sei ruhig, bitte!” Theo crooned soothingly as he gathered Dewey in his arms, turning him. He held Dewey’s beard in his hands, feeling more certain and content than he had in years. “You’re so tired, so I’ll go first: I’m in love with you, Brooks, and I want to stay and build a life in Oslo with you and Walter.”

“Thank God!” Dewey swept Theo off his feet and into a tight hug. He stumbled and fell against the counter, but ignored Theo’s complaints and kissed him. Dewey was laughing and crying as his lips clung to Theo’s. “I think I’ve loved you since you asked for that damn job. Even when I couldn’t figure out why you were here or what the hell I was supposed to do with you, I was always hoping you’d stay. My life wouldn’t be the same—Oslo wouldn’t be the same—without you,” he babbled shakily.

Theo felt shaky too and like laughing and singing, then remembered that only half of his heart was in Oslo. “I have one request.” Theo held up a finger, becoming serious. “I want to take you home—to Austria and to Italy—to meet Leo and Jonathon and what’s left of my mother’s family. I want you to see the town she’s from and where we grew up,” he said with a hopeful look. Theo understood that whilehewas used to jumping on jets and planes when he missed one of his brothers, Dewey wasn’t accustomed to traveling on a whim and had responsibilities in Oslo.

“You wantmeto…go to Italy and Austria?” Dewey confirmed and Theo nodded quickly.

“It’s important to me, so that you can have a connection to those places as well. And so my relatives can know you and know that I’m in good hands in America.”

“But…that’s…” Dewey stared, appearing overwhelmed until he laughed and nodded. “You know what? Okay… That sounds like the craziest thing I could ever do and it scares the shit out of me, but I want to do it. I was gonna burn out in the bowling alley and nothing special was ever gonna happen to me.” He kissed Theo again until they were both weak and dizzy. “Then,youhappened and so many other amazing things. For some reason, I was lucky enough to win the prince and I get to go on the adventure, so I’m going to make the most of it.”

“Bravo!” Theo clapped and was sincerely proud of Dewey for finally accepting that he deserved the world. “I will take you as soon as you feel comfortable leaving Brooks Bowling for a few weeks. But, soon,” he repeated with a loaded look so that Dewey knew he couldn’t drag his feet. “I intend for this adventure to last the rest of our lives and I’m hoping it includes a wedding in Austria, with Cassie and Bryce. And my brothers, unfortunately,” he added with a dramatic eye roll.

“Easy!” Dewey caught Theo’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m in for all of it, including your brothers,ifyou don’t change your mind before I get a chance to meet the other two. Are you sure you’re ready to give up your freedom and privacy? I should have asked if it was okay if I evicted you so Roddy could use the Winnie, but I’d much rather have you here than him. I’m not ready to trust Roddy like that yet, either.”

“Naja, I was okay!” Theo insisted. “I’ll always think of it fondly and as my Winnie, but I prefer the amenities here now,” he said, wiggling his brows suggestively.

“Am I one of those amenities?”

“The only one that really matters,” Theo said as he led Dewey to the table. “Sit and keep me company while I work,” he ordered, pulling out a chair for Dewey.

“Are you sure? It might be…quicker if I helped,” Dewey said and Theo hummed happily.

“It’s no trouble and I already feel like I am at home. Did you know, Cassie had a pasta maker? She didn’t even need the Barilla,” he said, clicking his teeth. “But I have borrowed it so I can make the Cappellacci for you.” He went to the stove and checked the lentils, taking one from the pot and tasting it. “Gut,” he declared, then poured Dewey a bowl.

He set it on the table and Dewey caught his wrist, tugging gently so Theo would lower. “Thank you,” Dewey said as he kissed Theo. “This morning was magic and the happiest I think I’ve ever been. It got really heavy in the middle and I thought Roddy had ruined our magic day, but you saved it in the alley and you’ve made tonight magic too.”

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