Defined By Deceit

“There’s the big dope.” Llew laughed.

Shane saw a medium-built handsome man leaning against the back of a large pickup with an attached trailer, full of furniture. The logo on the truck bed was an image of a group of shrubs with the name Gardner Boys written across it.

As soon as Shane came to a stop, Llew jumped out the truck and ran up to the man who was a smaller version of himself. They eagerly hugged each other, Llew lifting his brother’s feet completely off the ground. Llew beamed with excitement and Shane loved seeing him like that. Llew beamed at him, too, but in an entirely different way. After the two Gardner men exchanged handshakes and another hug, Llew turned and waved for Shane to come over.

He couldn’t believe he was nervous. Llew said that Leslie raised him since his parents died while he was in high school, and was the most important person in his life. He sure hoped the man would find him worthy of Llew’s affection. As soon as Shane was in range, Llew spread his hand on the small of his back and guided him in front of his brother.

“Shane this is my big brother; Leslie, Leslie Gardner. Les, this is Shane Smith Jr.”

Leslie’s smile was genuine when he shook Shane’s hand. “You’re his new boss right?” Leslie’s eyes were just as dark as Llew’s, but not as revealing. Leslie’s black irises twinkled with mischief.

“Yes, I’m his new boss and—” Shane looked up at Llew, silently asking for permission. It surprised him when Llew leaned down and kissed him chastely on his lips.

“And my boyfriend,” Llew finished.

Leslie’s smile was bright and beautiful. It was clear how happy he was for his brother, and hopefully he could see how happy Shane was to be with him, to be given the title of “Boyfriend.”

“You always did wear your heart on your sleeve, bro.” Leslie jabbed Llew in his arm, but he paid no attention, his eyes still locked on Shane. Leslie laughed, teasing his brother. “Yeah. You got it bad already, man.”

He did have it bad. Leslie had no idea. Shane had been the soothing balm his blistered soul needed. He finally felt like he was recovering, living, breathing again. It was the worst feeling in existence to be suffocated by life.

“Llewellyn, you’re home.” Ms. Pat stepped out onto the porch, letting the screen door slam behind her. She hurried down the steps, wiping her hands on her brown-and-pink flowered apron. Llew let her hug him and kiss his cheek; she turned and did the same for Shane before turning to Leslie. “You must be the brother. You two could be twins fo’ sho’ if you was just a smidge bigger.” She held her two fingers an inch apart, laughing loudly. Leslie would need to grow way more than a smidge to be as big as Llew.

Leslie leaned in and kissed her cheek. Schmoozing her immediately. “Yes, ma’am, I’m Leslie. He may be bigger but he still can’t whup me.”

“Well when I was in jail, I put on a few muscles myself. I was really a piece of work in my younger days,” she boasted, laughing again when Leslie’s eyes widened.

“Jail.” Leslie shook his head like he didn’t believe her.

“You got it.” She took her dishtowel and swatted Llew’s shoulder, winking at him. “Me and this one are like two peas in a pod, huh, Llewellyn?”

“You got it,” Llew said right back, unconsciously pulling Shane into his chest.

Ms. Pat covered her mouth, while she stared at them. “Oh Llewellyn, Shane. You two. I knew there was something about ya’ll. I could see it in the both of ya. I’m so glad. Lord knows. Llewellyn, Shane is a good boy, ya’ll look great together.” She looked between them excitedly.

“He better be good,” Leslie piped in, his arms crossed over his chest.

Here we go. Llew knew Les would turn on the big brother act sooner or later.

Ms. Pat turned with her hands on her hips, feigning anger. “I know he’s good because I helped raise him. So you just get off your high horse, mister.”

Leslie put his hands up in surrender. “Yes, ma’am. I’m just doing my job.”

Llew let go of Shane. “Okay everyone relax. We’re fine, I’m fine, Shane’s fine, everyone’s fine. No one has any job to do.”

“Actually yes ya do. Ya’ll got a big job to do. Go on and get this furniture moved so you can eat this nice dinner I’m fixin’.” She turned to go back in the house, stopping when she remembered something else, like she always did. “Oh, and Llewellyn, Shirley say she is coming by to bring you something. She was too pleased about the job you did on her benches.”

“Oh, okay,” Llew said, already dropping the bed on the truck and climbing inside to see what his brother brought him. “Come on guys. Les, Shane’s gonna help us.”