Jared stood in the doorway.

“What if we just… had tonight.”

I stepped back. Letting him in.

He didn’t even look behind him.

The door clicked shut.

And that was it.

A line in the sand that had held between us for weeks disappeared as he reached for me.

Before I could even process it his lips were on me. Finding what he had been searching for for weeks.

His hands. His rough hands I could feel exploring the shape of my body.

He wanted this.

I needed this.

Read more

It is amazing, the power of just one kiss.

A kiss should confirm something.

Letting two people know where feelings lie.

Not here.

When Jared left my room, I evacuated Vegas as if there were a natural disaster.

There was a disaster. Nothing natural about it.

I did not hear from Jared at first.

Thirteen days of me picking up my phone at the slightest disturbance or sound.

Playing it cool and not reaching out.

Then it happened two Saturdays after Vegas.

11:08 AM Jared: Hey.

11:11 AM Me: Oh hey!

11:12 AM Jared: You busy?

11:12 AM Me: Just gaming with friends, I lied.

11:12 AM Me: U?

11:14 AM Jared: I can text later.

11:15 AM Me: No, can text. We are just wrapping up. What’s up?

I watched as the chat screen showed him typing. Starting. Then stopping. He was taking his time while I sat there breathless.

My mind was screaming, trying to draw out his thoughts.

11:28 AM Jared: Cool. Just wanted to check in.

11:28 AM Me: Nice =) Things are going well. Summer school is kicking my ass.

11:30 AM Jared: Nice. I thought you were smart. =)

11:31 AM Me: I am. I took on a double major and just don’t want to take another year.

11:31 AM Jared: Cool.

11:35 AM Jared: Hey, about Vegas...

My heart dropped as I brought my knees to my chest and continued reading.

11:41 AM Jared: Thanks for coming out. The guys liked you.

His friends liked me. That was great but what the fuck about that kiss.

11:42 AM Me: They were cool, the whole trip was worth it.

Then nothing. Not a damn thing.

Fuck.

Read more

Between the engagement and Vegas, Jared had texted me 32 times. Check-ins, arrangements for his bachelor party. One snarky gif about the Longhorns losing a game.

On my flight to Vegas, I kept reaching for the safety card. Flipping it. Setting it down. Then reaching for it again.

Jared would be there.

His five best friends waiting for me.

Would they even like me?

Did Jared want Paige’s little brother there? Or was I just another obligation?

I checked my text again. I read it over and over. More than anything all semester.

“Can’t wait to spend some time with you.”

I flipped the phone over and raised my tray table, taking a deep breath.

My fingers dug into the seat in front of me, going deeper with each doubt racing across my mind.

These doubts only grew louder the closer I got to the hotel. To whatever this weekend would be.

Checking into The Venetian, I could tell Jared was sparing no expense.

From the frescos to the tall columns, all were a display of beauty hiding all the sinful desires of its guests.

I gripped my carry-on strap tighter, getting lost in the sea of slot machines and decadence.

When I got to my room, I put my bags down and took a breath before I saw it.

In the center of my bed was a black box, with a teal ribbon tied around it. My heart stopped for just a moment as I walked toward it.

Slowly. Like it was a rattlesnake ready to strike if I made the wrong move.

On top, a letter. The handwriting was messy and barely legible.

My eyebrow perked up and I rushed to the bed and opened the card.

“Thanks for being a groomsman and for always having my back. It means a lot. I’m lucky I get to marry your sister, but getting you as a brother-in-law is a pretty great bonus too.

P.S. I am a gamer too. Should play sometime.”

I held the card close to me and stood there in the room before putting my clothes away.

Then read the card again before digging into the present.

Jared bought me a new Nintendo Switch.

That bastard, I thought while I sat on the edge of the bed holding the box, smiling like an idiot.

My sister was one lucky woman.

And I needed him.

My phone dinged, breaking the moment. Fingers fumbling across the screen to see who the text was from. Freezing when I saw a group text with Jared’s name lost in a sea of strange phone numbers.

The text from one of the strangers:

“Hey guys, let’s meet downstairs at 7. Big night ahead for our boy Jared.”

I arrived at 6:45 pm, positioning myself in a corner, with a clear line of sight at our rally point. Slowly, one by one, each friend walked up, meeting each other with high fives and fist bumps.

I buttoned and unbuttoned my top button, waiting for him.

When he walked in, the slot machines stopped chiming and all I could hear was my heart beating louder.

His hair was messy perfection.

A confident swagger that he had hidden away at his introduction.

And a button-down that gave a hint to his lean tanned body.

While Jared greeted each person with years of familiarity, I sat back and watched.

Laughter, jokes, and possible side comments about Paige’s brother being an obligation.

Then slowly, pulling his phone out. Checking the screen and looking around searching for something.

Or maybe someone.

Then forcing himself back to the conversation.

Taking one final breath, I stealthily navigated through the gaming tables and rushed up looking like I was late.

I pretended not to see him.

“Sorry guys, just a bit of jet lag,” I said, trying to look embarrassed.

Then a pull at my arm, as I was pulled toward him.

His hazel eyes that had this sparkle in them staring back at me.

“Dude. You got here, that is what is important,” Jared said before giving me a friendly hug.

Leaning in closer and lowering my voice. “Thank you for the present, Jared. It’s way too much.”

His scruff looked seductive as I pulled away.

“You helped me out that night. I wouldn’t forget that. Besides, I want to see how good you actually are,” he said, winking at me.

I looked at him. Trying not to smile.

“Guys. Let’s go. Can do intros in the car,” yelled out one of the strangers.

The stretch black SUV sat with its engine and light roar waiting for them.

Jared dove into the car first and I made it a point to follow on his heel, sitting next to him.

Sitting there, I played with my watch. Playing with the metal clasps as I watched the lights of the strip streaming by the windows on our way to dinner.

Jared seated in the middle. Spreading out like he owned Vegas as everyone made their first drink.

Noticing my silence, he handed me a cocktail and raised his hands to command the room to silence.

“Yo, boys, this is David. Paige’s brother. Don’t scare him off and let’s make sure he experiences Vegas.” Not little brother, like Paige always says with emphasis. Brother.

I nervously smiled at everyone, my eyes tracing the red strip of lights that lit up the car.

“This is my little bro Tyler,” Jared said, patting his brother on the shoulder. He looked older than me but something about him felt just as dangerous.

“My best man Jake,” Jared said, putting his arm around his shoulder. Jake had slicked-back hair. I would bet he was in finance. He carried a natural swagger that helped him land and lose women with ease.

“Darren and Chris,” Jared said, gesturing between them. “Friends since we were four. Well, four when they met, five when they were actually friends.” Darren gave me a handshake as Chris corrected with a warm smirk that lit up the SUV.

“Guys, it was four when we met but not friends until five,” Chris said.

There were two other guys, Greg and Kurt, who faded into the background of the night.

As Jared finished introducing, everyone helped themselves to a second round.

“What is this, guys? Am I pouring my own tonight or what?” Jared said, shaking his empty glass.

“I got it,” I announced, rushing to fill his drink before anyone had the chance. My announcement silencing the conversation for one moment at my eagerness.

Tyler looked like he wanted to stop me.

I looked through the bottles and saw he had the Macallan there. Same brand and year of the one I showed him. I felt a warmth wash into my chest as I reached for the bottle and poured into a glass.

Handing it to him, he looked surprised.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said, smiling. “You always seem to be taking care of me,” he laughed.

And I smiled as I returned to my seat.

When we got to the restaurant, we all piled out and walked in like we owned the place. Well, they did. I stayed behind just watching, trying to adjust.

The restaurant was dimly lit and had a rich masculine opulence to it.

Wood paneling. Bourbon barrels littering the aesthetic.

As we sat down, Jared made sure to pull out the chair himself and have me sit next to him. His hand patting my thigh, a move that Tyler caught out of the corner of his eye a moment too long.

“You good here?” Jared said, just to me. His hand on my knee.

I nodded. “Yeah, just, I get nervous when meeting new people.”

“So this place has a lot of unique meats from around the world. I would try the elk. I had it my first time here and it’s pretty good.”

During the dinner, I heard stories of all Jared’s dirty dating secrets.

Losing his v-card at 14.

Getting caught by a cop having sex in a movie theater parking lot.

All making me giggle as they unlocked more of Jared’s mystery.

“Ok guys,” I said, raising my glass. “I’ve learned a lot. Maybe too much. But thank you guys for having me. Just one thing...” Making sure I had all of their attention with my wry smile. “My buzz is starting to wear off. Let’s get some fucking shots.”

They all cheered as if I was part of their crew. Patting myself on the back as I ordered the shots.

We made our way to a bar next door and his brother Tyler made it a point to sit next to me.

“So you’re David,” Tyler said, placing his drink on the high top where I was standing.

“Yeah,” I said, standing up straight, pretending to look relaxed.

“Nice to finally meet you,” he said, with subtext. “Jared hasn’t stopped talking about you since his engagement.”

His hand was stirring his drink more than it needed to be. The noise of the ice moving almost overtaking the music in the bar.

“Guess I made a good impression,” I said.

“Yep, sounds like it. Feel like I’ve heard more about you this trip than about Paige,” Tyler responded matter of factly.

Tyler took a sip, then walked away without saying another word.

I had to force myself not to let my mouth drop open.

Instead, I sat there, nose flaring.

My discomfort was interrupted by Tyler calling out to the group that he had bought the next round of shots.

As we all chatted, Jared came up and sat next to me, his button-down failing to hold up his polished look as he slipped further under the spell of his drinks.

“Yo! David’s surviving, right? We didn’t scare you off yet?”

My eyes followed Tyler as he walked to the restroom.

“Don’t mind him. He’s always been protective of me,” Jared said, half warmly and with an ounce of annoyance.

“He’s just watching out for you. It’s what brothers do. And apparently brothers-in-law,” I said.

“Yeah...” he said, his voice and attention drifting.

We sat there a few moments. He was watching my hand as it moved the thin straw up and down in my drink. His eyes never leaving as I dropped a few drops on my tongue before putting my mouth on the straw to remove any excess liquor.

“You know. And I love Paige,” he said, as his hand poked me with his drink in hand. “Paige is great. With you I don’t have to think,” he said philosophically. “It’s nice. I can be me.”

I just laughed. Patting his knee, him not moving. Not an inch.

“No. I get it. Paige is just. She is like her own force of nature,” I said.

Jared laughed in agreement.

“When she wants something she will get it,” I said.

“In a lot of the same ways we are the same. I just like to be slow, not force things. Be easy going,” I said.

Jared nodded his head. As he got up I could see his steadiness slipping.

I went to the bar and got him a water with a dash of lemon.

“Here,” I said. “Down this quickly. You have a long night. Just pace yourself.”

Jared’s hand found my shoulder and rubbed it in brotherly appreciation before we joined his friends.

The night continued and I made an attempt to give Jared space, which only kept him in my space as we went from bar to bar. I wanted to be protective, make sure he didn’t drink too much and keep him from being a tragic waste of a groom.

Our last location was a trendy rooftop club just off the strip.

We were given bottle service. We were all too drunk to enjoy it.

The music was loud and all the guys were vibing with one another. Even Tyler seemed to surrender to my charm offensive.

While the two brothers were chatting, I made it a point to slide up to Jake at our table.

“Hey bro,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief at the words.

“Hey man,” he said, slumped over, forcing himself to take another drink. Perspiration was decorating his face after dancing with some girl.

“What happened to Gina?” I asked.

“Ginger, I think,” he said, laughing into his drink. “Her friend took her away after we started getting close while dancing.”

“That bitch,” I said, getting closer to him.

“You know what, I really thought it was going to suck having you tag along. You have been alright.” His hand flopped on my shoulder.

I could feel Jared out of the corner of my eye observing us. Closely.

Leaning closer to his ear while watching Jared watch me.

“You have been alright too,” I said, giving him a pat before pushing him away with a laugh.

I walked over to another table close to ours that was now empty, littered with two Bud Lights and a graveyard of shots.

I slumped over in a chair and just looked intently at a napkin, playing with the edges.

“Mind if I join you?” Jared said, almost falling into the chair.

Sitting back, switching back again to a water that he had ordered himself.

“You good, bro—”

He stopped.

“Sorry. You just… you seem off,” he said.

“Yeah. Just. A lot going through my head,” I said.

“Like what?” he said, moving close.

The smell of him was trying to take control of me. My body going on autopilot.

“I’m just thinking about Paige. Life. How this almost puts a bookend on our relationship,” I said.

He just listened. His perfectly shaped lips sipping that water. Listening and caring.

Christ, he is making this hard.

“Well, you can still visit,” Jared said.

“Yeah, but I don’t want to be a bother,” I said.

“We are just hours away, David. You can sleep over anytime you want.”

Something about the word sleepover stuck itself to my chest. Staying there as he looked deeper into me.

“That would be nice,” I said. A small tear forming in the corner of one eye.

“Even though we are older and don’t hang out. Would love to reconnect,” he said.

“She would love that too,” I said.

“And I...” he said, forcing himself back into silence.

His eyes looked at me.

Searching.

“I can’t wait to have you in the family, Jared. You are so sweet, so loving and anyone would be lucky to have you,” I said. My hand on his wrist for a moment longer than needed.

We sat there in silence, just sipping our drinks as his hand gripped his glass harder. I could see his knuckles straining.

“Ok, well...you guys have a strip club to go to....this lightweight needs to find a bed,” I said, getting up.

Jared looked surprised at my departure.

“You could still join us. Have some fun,” Jake said sincerely.

“Naked women aren’t my vibe. Besides, no witnesses,” I said, putting my hands up before walking away.

Jared sat there a moment before getting up.

“Boys, let me walk David to his cab.”

I gave everyone hugs and fist bumps.

Tyler was almost falling over and hung on my neck an inch too close, reeking of gin.

“Be good,” he said before falling back onto his drink.

Jared stumbled with me to the car.

As I walked away, I debated whether I should have gone to that strip club. Jake had bragged about getting VIP access several times. I had to force the thought of someone else’s mouth on Jared out of my mind.

He grabbed my wrist as we reached the outside.

“You should stay.”

The cooler desert air coursed against our bodies as I held my arms close to my body.

“I shouldn’t...nothing good can come from me staying out later.”

We stood there in silence as the car arrived.

Jared cleared his throat, then opened the door for me.

Could still do it. Join Jared and the crew. Keep the night going.

Then I thought about the consequences and let him shut the door.

As the yellow cab slipped into the night, I looked at Vegas and all it had to offer. Shaking my head at all the secrets it must hold. Some better, some far worse than what I was holding.

Had I made the right choice?

What distractions could make Jared stray now that I was gone.

When I got back to the hotel room, I sat on the bed. Thinking of everything from that night.

The dinner. New friends. Booze. More booze.

Looking over, I saw my gift from Jared.

The connection he had given, to make sure we stayed in touch.

I grabbed it, reading every letter on the box like it was a love letter.

To me it was.

As I drifted to sleep, I was happy.

As I was packing my bags before leaving, having to end the short weekend in Vegas, I forced one last item in as the bag was busting out at the seams from me packing for every scenario.

As I sat there ready to go, a gentle knock on the door.

I opened it. Jared was there, his hair flopping down.

His lips.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey. How was last night?” I asked.

“Honestly, kind of lame. I ended up passing out on the car ride over and didn’t make it into the strip club,” he laughed, looking embarrassed.

“Oh. That is really lame,” I said, letting him in. Looking in the hall before closing the door.

He just stood in front of me, looking slightly worse for wear but not a disaster.

“Just wanted to thank you, David, for coming out. I know it was a short weekend, but it was great having you here.”

“Yeah, it was great getting to hang out with you and your friends.”

“...and you taking care of me,” he said in a way that sounded like he had thought about it tirelessly all night.

His breathing picked up. His fingers worked the club wristband he forgot to remove.

“So David...I...”

I looked up at him, questioning, taking a half step closer.

Remembering the bourbon, the cigarettes, and his hand on my knee.

He swallowed.

“Yeah, Jared?” I said, taking another step.

“Thanks for not being....for being you,” he said.

“Just... trying to be a good brother-in-law,” I said, causing him to wince.

“Yeah...that aside....just....felt.....effortless to be around you. Nice to feel a connection,” he said, leaning forward.

Before returning without an ounce of hesitation.

“With you.”

Could smell his natural sweet scent mixed with last night as he kissed me.

His lips moving and trying to figure something out.

I was his answer.

Then he pulled away quickly, looking like he had just woken up from a dream.

His hand touching his lips in disbelief before quickly backing to the door.

“You...I’m sorry....Paige is supposed to call....you have the airport,” he said, speaking in fragments.

And I watched him leave into the hallway, then sat in the silence.

What had he just done.

Share

Weddings bring out the worst in people.

I sat on a rustic white wooden bench on the night of my sister’s wedding reception. This was the last place a gay college student, who had just turned twenty-one, wanted to be on a Friday night.

My foot was rolling a pebble under my toe, while the sun disappeared under the horizon. The place was cute enough, a winery just outside of Austin. I could hear family members laughing, telling the same jokes they always tell at our family events.

Tomorrow was the big day for my sister. I had always thought the world of her when I was little. She was this cool older sibling that I looked up to but also was close with. My protection from the world when my parents were away.

I always wanted to play with her toys, games. Anything she was doing I had an interest in doing too. As she got into high school, it was like a switch was flipped and I was no longer cool enough to hang out with. It was all boys and shopping.

Never me.

The moment that broke us was on April 14, 7 years ago at 8:17 pm. My mom had dragged my dad to some vacation spot in Europe and we were alone. She stepped toward the door, keys in hand.

I followed right behind her, still tugging at the straps of my Spider-Man backpack.

She looked at me like I didn’t belong. Almost sneering at me to stay.

“I am going to go meet Derek, be back in an hour,” she said while rushing out the door.

The door slammed behind her.

I was alone. She had left me with only snacks and Netflix to supervise me.

Five hours later Paige came back. Five hours after hearing the house settle, strange noises and loneliness.

She never apologized.

And only got worse from there.

I should have been more excited when she and her bf got engaged. It was a year ago, before I started my Junior year of college. I was home with mom and dad and we were playing Monopoly. I had my hands on the little dog token, I was always the dog, and was minutes from winning when my sister barged through the front door.

“Mom. Dad. I have BIG news,” she said like she was on an off-broadway production.

I rolled my eyes thinking she had to be pregnant. They had only been dating a few months.

Jared followed her into the house, hands in his pockets, confidently walking in. His hair somehow blew in the stillness of our foyer.

“What is it Paige?” my mom asked, fearing the worst for no reason.

I swear she milked every moment, making sure everyone was in a perfect position and that we were all watching.

She took a deep breath before bursting out with her usual burst of energy.

“Jared proposed!” she squealed, revealing a large diamond and her sentence to a life of wedded bliss and out of my life.

The family cheered, clapped and cried. Predictable as everything else they did.

“David,” my mom called my name.

“David,” my mom said again and I pretended not to hear her.

My mom grabbed my shoulder to get my attention.

“Congratulate your sister on her big news.”

I sat there staring at my token. Knocking it over before getting up with a smile.

“Congrats Paige,” I said, giving her a hug.

“Thanks David,” she responded, making sure my mother was watching before giving me a distant hug.

I grew rigid at a hug I had not felt in years and then the ruffling of my hair. I hated that.

She walked over to our mom, their phones in hand, as they planned Paige’s perfect day.

On the other side of the room, I could see Jared sitting with dad, sharing a beer. Sitting in awkward silence.

I just sat there going through my phone to avoid everyone. When I looked up, I could swear I saw Jared looking. Perhaps nothing.

Then he did it again. A second too long.

My mother and sister began cackling, squealing at new ideas for the wedding. Their intensity was like they were planning D-Day.

I could see Jared trying to chat up my dad. Struggling.

Looking sad, uncomfortable and alone.

I could almost make out his heartbeat in the vein of his neck bumping.

Thump. Thump.

Thump. Thump.

“David.”

My mother called out to me like a drill sergeant, bringing me back to attention. “Why don’t you go take Jared and get one of the special bottles of whiskey. We should celebrate.”

I nodded for Jared to follow and he fell in line behind me as I bounded down the stairs.

I could hear his footsteps behind me.

When I turned around, he was a step too close behind me. Crashing into me.

His chest hit mine for half a second, warm and solid.

I stepped back, suddenly aware of the shape of his chest beneath his light blue button-down before turning away.

“You doing ok?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Jared said, almost with an exhale.

“How am I doing?” he asked nervously.

“Not bad. Yet,” I joked.

He patted my shoulder and we both looked where his hand had been.

“What kind of whiskey do you like?”

“I uh...not sure. Usually more a beer guy.”

“Oh... let me help you out,” I said as I rummaged through the long row of bottles before landing on The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak.

“Here, say you thought this one looked good.”

He grabbed the bottle with an uncertainty about what I had given him.

“It is a good bottle, they will think you have good taste. Which you do, you are marrying my sister. Also it is easy to drink if you don’t like whiskey.”

“I don’t either,” I said.

He just watched me. Neither of us moved.

“Well,” he said. “Thanks. Really. We should uh...get back.”

I nodded and led the way back up the stairs.

Jared handed out the bottle and my mother made a big production of Jared having THE best taste, then getting back to planning the wedding, how many babies they would have, etc.

I walked out of the room, rolling my eyes and going to sit on the patio.

A few minutes later Jared came out. Closing the door behind him and taking a deep breath.

I kept looking at my phone as he sat down, relaxing in the wicker chair next to me.

“Your family is real...”

“Much?” I said, smiling into my phone.

“Yeah,” he said, patting his pockets and bringing out a pack of cigarettes.

“Where can I...” his voice trailed off.

“Go around the corner.”

“Mind if I grab one from you?”

“How old are you?” he asked.

“Old enough to smoke,” I said, looking serious.

He nodded for me to go to the side of the house.

I walked slowly, checking back over my shoulder before joining him.

“So you’re David,” he said, taking a drag of his cigarette then blowing it up into the air.

“Yeah that’s me. What do you know?”

“Not much. She hasn’t said anything about you. Just that you are her little brother, name’s David. And...can be moody,” he said, putting his hand behind his head.

“Oh, damn. I guess it makes sense, she’s older,” I said, defending myself.

“She talk about me?”

I stood there inhaling. Noticing him for the first time.

His dark brown hair. Looked like the color of dark chocolate and had these dangerous red highlights that were subtle.

He had this shirt on that clung to his arms and chest in all the wrong ways.

The more I stared, the tighter my collar felt. Not knowing why.

“Oh yeah,” I lied. “I mean nothing in detail. Just how sweet you are and cute. Very cute,” I said without thinking, then trying to rush to grab the words and take them back.

He smirked at me and lowered his head.

“So David, what do you do for fun?”

“Nothing too crazy. Hang out with friends. Live music. Gamer...saving up for a new Nintendo system. Read when I can. Go out. Senior at UT so I don’t have a ton of time.”

“UT Austin, oh my God, I went there too. Hook em horns.”

“Hook em horns,” I said half heartedly.

“Where do you like to go out?”

“Umm...” I paused. “I like going to the Cockpit.”

“The gay bar?” he said, tripping on his words, putting out a butt on the side of the house then burying it in the grass.

“Yeah,” I shifted, my foot playing with a small rock in the ground.

“Cool. I mean I never knew any gay guys before. But that’s cool,” he said comfortably.

I swear I could feel his eyes on me but it had to be my imagination.

Right?

Share

We lit up another round of smokes. He was lingering.

“So how did you two meet?” I said, watching his lips, a perfect shade of pink, put the cigarette against them.

He was talking about my sister, I’m sure it was something stupid. I couldn’t focus. His lips were more important.

“Aww that is cute,” I said as a token gesture.

“So how was it being Paige’s brother?” he asked.

“Great, we were really close years ago. Very similar. She would be the one to get us into trouble. I was always the one to work our parents and get out of whatever mess she got us into.”

Jared laughed. “Sounds about right.”

“Yeah she was always more rough around the edges. I was the easier one to deal with so that helped.”

“What are your parents like?”

“Dad’s cool. If you like football you will get along well. Especially anything about the Cowboys. That is your in.”

Jared smiled, nodding. “Thanks.”

“And mom?”

“She is more like Paige. Intense, but at the end of the day give her a few compliments and she is harmless. Drives you crazy but harmless.”

“Yeah,” he said, smiling and looking at me.

“I can see Paige in your face a bit...it’s crazy.”

“Oh yeah?” I said, messing up my hair.

“Just more masculine. But soft. It’s cra...” he said, inspecting my face with his hand.

“I am her brother. So that checks.”

“Yeah,” he said, lost in thought.

“Jared, honey, are you out here?” Paige said, sticking her head out the window before gliding out the door to find Jared.

“Hey babe, just talking to David. Getting to know my future brother-in-law a bit more.”

“Shit,” he whispered.

“Oh that is so sweet, talking to my little brother,” she said as I rolled my eyes.

Then she sniffed.

“Jared, have you been smoking?” Her rage was building. “You told me you quit.”

Jared’s face faded to a shade of white as he froze, looking back at me.

I walked in front, putting my hand on his shoulder.

“Paige, sorry. That’s me,” I said, patting Jared’s back.

Jared looked back at me and exhaled with a smile.

“DAVID. You know Jared quit smoking,” she said.

I didn’t. I had just heard of this guy tonight.

“Sorry. Just family stuff stresses me out,” I said.

Jared joined me and I should have waited until he went back in the house.

Her eyes looked at me narrowly. Trying to read the situation.

The doorbell rang and she pranced back into the house. The scent of her Chanel No. 5 staying behind with us.

“Thanks David, you are a freaking lifesaver.”

He patted my shoulder.

“Here,” I said, handing him some gum.

He smiled, reaching for the piece, our fingers grazing each other. His hand did not move and I tried to avoid watching him. Feeling him drawn to me.

All I could do was give a sheepish look through my tousled hair before he disappeared into the same empty conversation of the night.

As I watched from the corner of the room, mom and Paige were hours deep in planning the wedding and Jared was reciting Cowboy history and player stats to dad.

For a second, it felt like every piece had finally fallen into place.

Jared, and his smile, were all I could think about for days. Weeks. But I finally got lost into my normal college rhythm.

7:23 PM Jared: Hey Man😊 Bachelor Party. Vegas. June 3. You better come.

I stared at the text longer than anything at school all semester then placed it on the desk. Face down.

I leaned back in my chair. Closed my American History book.

Then a smile.

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