Page 72 of Outcast
“I understand how you feel, though,” Emory said quietly. “I worry about it too. Everyone expects me to be a certain way. If I’m not who they think I am, do they know me at all? Will they still like me?”
I took hold of Emory’s hand under the table, squeezing it. “It can be lonely,” I admitted. “But it’s easier when you’re out. When there are no more secrets. It’s like this heavy burden is gone.”
“How can you say that after what happened with Dad?” Bailey asked. “Was itbetteryou had to leave?”
“No. No, of course it wasn’t. That killed me. But after that day, I was done hiding. And there’s a freedom in that. I no longer had to worry what people thought about me, whether they figured out I’d stared at a cute guy too long, if they were going to tell my secret. I could just be me.”
“Your brothers are supportive,” Emory told Bailey. “You’re lucky to have that.” He hesitated. “I think I should go and let you all talk privately.”
“We didn’t mean to chase you off,” Holden said.
Emory pushed back his chair. “That’s all right. I’ve got an early morning. It was really nice seeing you all together.” His voice grew tight. “You’re lucky, Bailey, to have so many brothers. There’s no one who will ever be more loyal.”
I followed him to the door. “I’m sorry we dragged out our family business in front of you. We’ve got no filters when we’re together.”
“Oh, don’t apologize,” Emory said. “I love how close you all are. It must be nice…to have one another.”
“It is, yeah.” I smiled as I opened the door for him. “I really missed them when I was gone.”
“Of course you did.” Emory stepped outside. “Tell Holden I’ll be in touch about getting a look at the books, okay?”
“Yeah, sure. Thanks for speaking up for us today. I could tell your dad wasn’t thrilled with the idea.”
Emory swallowed. “Yeah. I need this to work, Gray. For all of us. Dad is giving us this chance, but there won’t be any others. And I really can’t let him down. I owe him better than that.”
“You owe him? You use that word a lot.”
He looked down. “I just mean, he’s trusting and relying on me, you know?”
“I understand.” I cupped his chin, lifting his eyes to meet mine. “We don’t want to let you down either, golden boy. We owe you for giving us a chance.” I echoed his words about his dad. “You’re trusting and relying on us, and we won’t forget that.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean?—”
I kissed the protest from his lips. “You’re too hard on yourself, sweetheart.”
His eyes widened a fraction at the endearment. Shit. I was doing a piss-poor job of keeping this casual. I kissed him again, deeper, so he’d forget what I said.
When I drew back, his eyes were glazed. I brushed my thumb over his damp lower lip, my cock thickening in my pants. Emory had to go, though, and I needed to get back to the kitchen to be there for Bailey.
Regretfully, I stepped back. “Have a good night.”
I returned to the table, where my brothers were scarfing down the last of the enchiladas.
“What did I miss?”
“Nothing. Bailey clammed up again,” Axel said.
“Don’t rush him.” I retook my seat. “He doesn’t have to say anything if he doesn’t want to. Bailey is Bailey. Nothing will change either way.”
That seemed to be what he needed to hear. Bailey exhaled, then looked me in the eye.
“I’m gay,” he said.
“Me too. Welcome to the club.”
“Seriously?” Axel wound an arm around Bailey’s neck and rubbed his knuckles over his head. “I’ve waited patiently for years for you to tell me, and you come out toGray? I was robbed!”
“Way to make it all about you!” Bailey yelled, fighting him off, but he was laughing.
