Awkward Love (Stumbling into Love 2)

“Yeah, I know.” I playfully rubbed my nose against his. School was hectic, coupled with my work, which was hectic too, but we were making it work. Jameson and I loved each other, and we came home to our condo every day. We held each other every night and laughed and joked and were dorks together. There was no one in the world I would’ve rather been a dork with than him.

“You and Dad don’t have any trips planned over the break, do you?”

“Nope.” Leon and I had gone to California in September and then again in November. It was awesome, but also busy as hell. I was looking forward to my trip to New York City, with Jameson, which we planned for spring break. That vacation would be all fun and no work with my favorite person in the world.

So far, working with my boyfriend’s dad hadn’t been as awkward as we’d feared. It probably helped that Jameson and Leon were closer than they’d ever been. It was really great to see, and Leon was still like a father figure to me. I felt so lucky to have them in my life. When we were at work, I was his PA, but at home, I was the guy who loved his son, a son to him too.

“Can we just cuddle like this all night?” Jameson asked right before the doorbell rang. Why had we thought a party was a good idea again? Oh. A good time. I remembered.

“Hell no. We’re going to have fun with our friends, then kick them out early, have sex, then cuddle.”

He laughed, burying his face in my neck, rubbing the hair on his chin against my skin. “I like the sound of that.”

I liked it too.

Shaw and Eli arrived first, followed by Ali and Kira, who were still crazy in love. They’d moved in together too. Danny got there next, and I couldn’t stop myself from looking around outside for Jonathan’s car. This little get-together tonight was the first time he was going to hang out with our friends.

My brother and I had become closer over the past few months. We still struggled sometimes. It was hard to sweep under the rug a lifetime where we hadn’t gotten along, but we tried to meet up often, and I made sure he always knew I was there to support him. He was still going to therapy and seemed to be feeling more and more comfortable with his sexuality, and he was getting used to the fact that coming out wasn’t a onetime thing. He’d lost a few friends, but I hoped he would gain better ones.

“He’s not here yet?” Jameson asked.

“No. I’m worried he won’t show.” I tugged my phone out of my pocket to check my texts, but there was nothing. I sent off a quick message to Jonathan, then tried to enjoy our friends. Everyone was so busy with school and work, hell, with life, that we didn’t get to hang out together like this often.

I was in the kitchen chatting with Danny and Shaw when I saw Jameson open the door. I hadn’t heard a knock or anything, but he’d been standing closer and must have.

My brother was standing there, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, looking more insecure than I’d ever seen him. It was still such a shock to see. Jonathan had always seemed so put together, so confident. It just went to show that you never knew what people were feeling.

Jameson had his back to me, but he must have said hello because Jonathan replied with the same before my professor gave him a quick hug. The sight calmed some of my restless nerves for Jonathan. I knew tonight would be fine and everyone would be welcoming to him, but I could see his uneasiness, and hoped Jay’s gesture would show him he had both of us in his corner.

There was no jealousy or hard feelings over that handy years ago. Both Jameson and I were confident in our relationship. The past was just that—the past.

“That’s your brother?” Shaw asked.

“Yeah.”

Shaw squeezed my shoulder in support.

I walked over and said a quick hi before introducing Jonathan to everyone. As I knew they would be, they were all great, chatting him up and getting to know him. Jonathan was quiet, really only speaking when spoken to, but it was a start.

Eventually, we uncovered the food we’d had delivered earlier, and all of us ate, piled on chairs, couches, and the floor. There were lots of laughs. Shaw and I teased each other relentlessly, always in competition because that was us and I didn’t see that ever changing.

When I looked over, Jonathan and Danny were talking, both sitting in dining-room chairs they’d pulled over to the living room with the rest of us. At one point, Jonathan went to the kitchen and came back with drinks for him and Danny.