Page 29 of My Three Roommates

His grin makes my heart ache. I should’ve tried harder to be okay with this a lot sooner. I know he doesn’t like holding himself back.

Cody’s hand closes around mine, his grip warm and reassuring. Leaning in, he strokes my cheek before he presses his lips to mine.

For a second, I’m frozen by a mix of fear and disbelief. What have we done?

It takes a moment before I’m able to relax into him. There’s nothing wrong with what we’re doing. If anyone else has a problem, they can suck it.

Cody’s warmth spreads across every inch of my body. His familiar scent overtakes my senses. The noise of the bar fades into the background as I get lost in the moment.

My hands find their way into his hair. I pull him closer, deepening our kiss. Cody groans, the low sound sending shivers down my spine. This is what I’ve been missing out on all this time. The freedom to express my feelings whenever I want to, without fearing any judgement.

When we part, I’m breathless. Cody’s eyes are filled with pure delight.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he murmurs, his voice husky. “I’m tired of hiding.”

As we both catch our breath, I glance up and freeze.

It’s Eric, standing only a few feet away. There’s no way he could have missed what just happened. My heart hammers against my ribs as his initial shock visibly morphs into anger.

“Tanner,” he growls, his eyes darting between Cody and I, as if he doesn’t know which one of us he wants to punch.

I never expected him to react this strongly. I’m struggling to say something, but the words get caught in my throat.

Cody keeps his hand firmly in mine. It takes everything in me not to pull away. There’s no point. Eric’s already gotten an eyeful of me kissing another man.

Christ.

Of all the wild scenarios that could’ve played out after Cody openly kissed me in this bar, this one never even crossed my radar.

“Hey,” I manage to choke out. “What’re you doing here?”

Eric’s eyes narrow. “You think that’s what needs explaining?”

His hostility is so deep, I recoil. Even Cody flinches, startled at the force of Eric’s anger.

“Try this question instead,” Eric snarls. “What the fuck did I just see, Tanner?”

CHAPTER 17 TANNER

“WHO THE HELL are you?” Eric turns his wrath towards Cody. “What the fuck are you doing with my brother?”

Cody’s spine stiffens, caught off guard by the sudden hostility until his natural defiance takes over. “I think you got a pretty good look at what he and I were doing.”

His attitude pisses Eric off even more. My brother straightens up, clenching his fist.

I move swiftly to get between him and Cody. “Eric. Stop.”

“What’s going on here, Tanner? Did this guy attack you?” Eric snaps.

Cody snorts. Eric clenches his fist. “No, Eric,” I tell him hastily. “Of course not.”

“Then what’s happening here? Were you,” he falters. “Kissingthis guy?

“You think there’s something wrong with two guys kissing?” I ask him, cutting Cody off before he can make the situation worse.

“There sure is,” Eric spits. “When one of them is my own brother.”

“Look, Eric,” I begin. “This isn’t how I wanted you to find out. Cody and I are…”

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