“But we’re still brothers. That hasn’t changed.” Dex pulled him to one side, closer to the doorway of a closed business so they weren’t out in the open. No sense taking any chances. There was plenty of foot traffic with pedestrians on their way to one of the many restaurants and bars lining the street opposite them. “What’s going on?”
Cael leaned against the brick façade and shrugged. “It’s just….”
“Ash?”
“Yeah. I thought being on leave would help, but it’s almost worse, because I can’t stop thinking about him. Hoping….” He let out a frustrated groan. “You saw him. He’s shutting me out, and I don’t know why.”
“So you think going out with Seb is the answer? You think it’s fair to him?” He told himself not to meddle in his little brother’s love life, and although Cael wasn’t the kind of guy to lead anyone on or use them, his brother wasn’t exactly thinking clearly. He’d hate for Cael to do something he’d regret later on. And Cael would certainly regret it. The guilt would eat away at him.
“I’m not going out with Seb. Seriously, Dex. You really think I’d do something like that? I was up front with him. The night of your birthday party, he took me home. We spent a long time sitting in his truck, talking. I told him I liked him and wanted to spend time with him, but it couldn’t lead to anything long-term because… I was in love with someone else. It turned out we had a lot more in common than I thought.”
“Seb’s still in love with Hudson.”
“Yeah. But Jesus, Dex. It was like, years ago.” Cael looked up at him, the heartache in his big silver eyes squeezing Dex’s heart. “He keeps holding on. Is that what Ash expects me to do? Hold on, waiting for however long it takes? I know he said he has issues to work out, but what if he can’t work them out? At the very least, I thought he’d care enough about me to confide in me. Why can’t we work our problems out together, like you and Sloane? Maybe he doesn’t feel the same way about me.”
“Dude, he took a bullet for you,” Dex reminded him. “Plus, this is all kind of new for him. Even if something were to happen, you have to consider Ash might not be ready to leave his closet.”
“But no one’s going to care. Hardly anyone cares about it anymore. I’ve never gotten shit for being with guys. The douche-baggery is reserved for my being a Therian.”
“Maybe no one else cares, but Ash clearly does, so there must be a reason for it.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Cael nodded, and a small hint of a familiar smile came onto his face. “Thanks, Dex. Be careful tonight, okay?”
“You too, bro. And thank you for the van. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Duh, of course,” Cael teased. “I’m the genius of the family. And the cute one. You’re the weird one with the cheese obsession.”
Dex chuckled and poked him in the ribs, making him squirm with a laugh. “I’m not weird, you little nerd.” He gave Cael a playfully push. “Go on. Get out of here. Have fun. Get your mind off all this for a while.”
“Thanks, Dex.” Cael gave him a quick hug before running off, waving his arm. Dork. Chuckling to himself, Dex headed back to the van and after a quick look around, climbed in. It felt good seeing his brother smile again. Inside the van was a different story. Everyone stood around looking like someone had told them they were doing another THIRDS calendar shoot. Luckily, he hadn’t had to do one yet, but he’d heard stories. Horrible stories.
Austen looked around. “Wow. You need a chainsaw to cut through the tension in here.” He turned to Dex. “What’s up with your bro? He’s been acting kinda like he’s got a stick up his ass.”
Dex cast Ash an accusing glare. “He’s going through a tough time.”
Austen gave a lazy shrug as he leaned against the console. “Well, it’s probably not such a bad thing he’s got a date with Seb. Means he’ll keep him away from the investigation for tonight. Getting laid will do him good.”
Ash launched out of his chair and pushed Austen up against the wall. “Watch your fucking mouth, you little shit. No one asked you for your fucking opinion, so shut the fuck up.” The van fell into silence with Ash resuming his seat. Austen held his hands up in front of him. When he spoke, he addressed no one in particular.
“Question one: are you all screwing each other? Question two: how can I get in on the action?”
“I’m going to check on Sloane and Rosa before heading into the bar,” Ash growled.
Shit. Dex hadn’t texted Sloane with an explanation of where he’d gone. He still had no idea what he was going to tell his partner. Kind of hard to use PR as an excuse after midnight. “What are you going to tell him?” he asked Ash before the guy could stomp his way out the back.
“That you’re sitting in your ex’s catering van which your brother set up like the fucking Pentagon to do surveillance
on Calvin while he seduces Collins’s boyfriend to get intel.”
Dex’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “You’re kidding right?”
“Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.”
“I think adding some more fiber to your diet might help.”
“Fuck you, Daley.” Ash stormed out, slamming the van door behind him. That went well. Way to keep things on the down low. This whole night had the makings of a spectacular clusterfuck.
“Is it me, or is he grumpier than usual?” Calvin asked.