“I know.” Dex held his hands up before wrinkling his nose. “But Ash Keeler?”
Cael put the bowl on the black-marble counter and planted his hands on his hips. Were they really going to do this today of all days? They had a hundred things to do and prep before dinner. One of their dad’s Therian-sized ovens was currently cooking a couple of forty-pound turkeys, casseroles, potatoes, and veggies, while in the second Therian-sized oven, Cael was baking cakes, cookies, fresh bread, and whatever Dex roped him into cooking next.
“What’s wrong with Ash?” Cael demanded.
Dex smirked. “How long do you have?”
“Funny.” Cael swatted Dex’s hand away from the cookie tray he’d removed from the oven a minute ago. “No.”
“Come on, bro. Just one. Pleeeease?”
Dex batted his lashes, and Cael shoved him out of the way so he could open the cabinet door for the box containing the food coloring. All the frosting and icing had to be handmade. Cael detested the premade supermarket stuff, and Dex hated marzipan. Everything always tasted yummier when it was made from scratch. He also enjoyed the process of making it. It was very therapeutic for him.
“I’m not Sloane. Batting those baby blues has no effect on me. You didn’t answer my question. What’s wrong with Ash?” He swatted at Dex’s hand again. “I said no. Don’t make me tell on you, because you know I will.”
“Tattletale.” Dex leaned against the counter and shrugged. “I don’t know. I always pictured you settling down with someone less… Ash.”
“First of all, no one said anything about settling down. Probably because no one says that anymore. What is this, Regency England? And why’s this such a huge shock to everyone anyway?”
“Sloane’s known Ash since they were kids. They grew up together, trained together, became the first members of Destructive Delta together. And according to Sloane, Ash has never expressed any attraction or romantic interest in another guy. He’s had a long string of girlfriends. Granted, none of them lasted very long, but they were always women. I’m not judging him. If one day he wakes up and he sees this amazing boy and he falls in love, good for him. My issue isn’t with his falling for another dude. My issue is why is it a problem for him?”
“He’s got stuff to work out,” Cael muttered, moving the M&M’s chocolate chip cookies onto a plate painted with a turkey and acorns. If his brother went for the cookies one more time, he was going to beat him with his spatula.
“No kidding.”
Removing his oven glove, Cael turned to his brother, pleading. “I need you and Dad to support me on this. I love him, Dex. It can work between us. I know it can. He just needs some time to figure all this out. We’re going to sit and talk about it. I don’t want to push him. If we have to take things at his pace, then so be it. At least I know he wants to be with me.”
“Hey, you know Dad and I will be here for you no matter what. I just worry, that’s all.”
“I can handle it.”
Dex bit his bottom lip and averted his gaze.
What was this now? Cael folded his arms over his chest. “You don’t think I can handle Ash?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Cael narrowed his eyes at his brother. “No, you were thinking it.”
“He’s got an attitude. I just don’t want you to regret getting involved with him.”
“Attitude. I know for you that translates to anger issues.” There was something his brother wanted to say but was afraid to. “What is it?” Cael studied his brother and read between the lines. With Dex, you always had to read between the lines. Attitude. Anger issues. Regret getting involved. It dawned on Cael, and a lump formed in his throat. “This is about Fuller, isn’t it?” An old wound he thought had long ago healed ached. He hadn’t thought about Fuller in so long. Which was exactly how he preferred it.
“You can’t deny the similarities,” Dex said gently.
“Ash is nothing like Fuller! How can you even think that?” Cael was furious. How could Dex believe that of Ash, after everything they’d all been through together? Ash had proven himself time and time again. What was it going to take for his brother to understand? “Look me in the eye and tell me you think Ash is like Fuller.”
Dex went pensive, and Cael waited.
“You’re right. I’m being unreasonable and a jerk. I’m sorry. Ash might have issues, but he’s a good guy. I genuinely believe that. I know he’d never hurt you like that. If anything, he’s risked his life to protect you. I don’t mean to give him a hard time. I just hate how he’s keeping you hanging.” Dex put his hand to Cael’s cheek. “I’m sorry for being so insensitive.”
Cael swallowed hard and nodded. The backs of his eyes stung. His brother was worried, and he had every right to be after what he’d been put through with Fuller. Years later, and Cael’s guilt still ate away at him. All his life, his big brother had looked out for him, and Cael had pushed Dex away to defend a Therian who’d taken advantage of him in the worst way, who’d made him feel worthless. God, Cael had been such a despicable jerk to Dex. They’d had so many arguments. One in particular stood out among the rest. His hurtful words to his brother echoed in his head. He’d never forget them. You’ll never understand me. You’re Human, and what’s more, you’re not even my real brother.
“I’m so sorry, Dex.” Cael wrapped his arms around his brother and squeezed him tight. “I’m sorry for the horrible things I said to you. I never meant them. You have to believe me.”
“Hey, now.” Dex held him close and placed a hand to the back of his head, comforting him like he’d always done. Cael had never regretted anything more in his life than he had in the two years he’d been with Fuller, not only for what he’d endured but for what he’d put his family through. “Of course I believe you. I never doubted you, Chirpy. I knew that wasn’t you talking.”
“I can still see your face, how badly I hurt you. Yet you never gave up on me.”