Up in Smoke (Hotshots 4)

Brandt raised an eyebrow. “You need me to admit I sleep better with you right here?”

“Might be nice.” Shane couldn’t lie, not to him, not even when the truth made him look needier than he might like.

“Fine.” Brandt let out a long-suffering sigh before popping a spoonful of ice cream in Shane’s mouth. “I like you here. Even when you hog the covers.”

“I’m sorry, who does what? Pillow thief.” Swallowing first, Shane gave an exaggerated blink. Joking was so much easier than getting real about his feelings, about what this was and what he wanted it to be.

The teasing carried them through most of the carton of ice cream, but then Brandt sobered as he set the pint aside.

“Thanks for being there today.” No joking, no silly grin, only honest gratitude, and Shane’s breath caught, chest so full it hurt.

“Anytime,” he whispered. And meant it. This was why he wasn’t talking or thinking about that phone call. Brandt needed him. Jewel needed him. And he needed them. Everything else could wait.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Brandt was done being freaked out at his own domesticity, and instead, he marveled at his aptitude for it as he cleaned the counter, stopping as he heard Shane come in.

“What smells so good?” Shane asked as he set his guitar near the table. He’d missed dinner for another band rehearsal, which had also let Brandt execute his plan, such as it was. However, as Shane came closer, something in his speculative expression made Brandt start second-guessing himself. Maybe this was a silly idea after all.

“Baking.” His tone came out all cagey.

“This a new talent of yours?” Shane’s easy smile didn’t help any either. He smiled more these days, which Brandt liked, but this time the tease felt like a barb. Damn it. Maybe he had freaked himself out with this whole thing.

“I’ll have you know I can read a cake mix box as easily as anyone else.” He moved so Shane could see the square cake on the counter. The kitchen hadn’t had a round pan, but the box had directions for a sheet cake, and once spread with the canned frosting, it didn’t look half bad. “And you might want to not poke fun at the effort if you want to have some.”

“Cake? Man, you really do have a sweet tooth.” Still smiling, Shane shook his head and brushed a kiss across Brandt’s cheek. And okay, that helped settle Brandt’s nerves back down. He was much freer with affection than Shane, and it always felt like earning some sort of reward when Shane initiated contact. Made him want to do whatever it took to earn more little touches and kisses.

“Or maybe I had an occasion.” Brandt gave him a pointed look as he hauled him closer.

“Occasion? What...” Shane blinked before his eyes widened. “Oh. That.”

“Come on. You can’t tell me you forgot your birthday.”

“Eh. It’s just a day.” Shane sounded exactly like Brandt himself had year after year. And why Brandt had this sudden urge for things to be different was something he refused to think too hard about, only that he couldn’t let the day pass unnoticed. Still, though, his skin heated as Shane continued to study the cake, mouth pursing. “I really don’t need cake.”

“I know. But you’re getting one.” That Shane didn’t need a big deal was maybe exactly why Brandt wanted to give him this. And honestly, the guy deserved so much more, more maybe than Brandt could give. But this? He could do a cake. “And before you start in on not wanting a fuss, you can say it’s for Jewel’s three-month birthday too.”

Brandt gestured at the diva in her swing near the dining table. He’d strung two soft toys where she could kick at them, and she’d been happy enough to let him handle icing the cake without her in the sling. Maybe at her six-or nine-month birthday, they could let her taste a little frosting. Because she too deserved all the little celebrations that Brandt hadn’t had. And aptitude or not, he was going to do his best to give her those moments. Because some day she’d have someone she cared about, and he wanted her to know what to do for that person and not have this ridiculous twitchy stomach over a cake.

“Thank you.” Shane smiled at him, tentative, eyes soft and mouth crooked. That look made all this uncertainty worth it, made the heat creeping over Brandt’s skin shift to something more pleasant.

“No problem.” Brandt’s voice came out gruff. “Like you said, I like cake.”

“Well, it smells good.” Shane brushed a light kiss over Brandt’s mouth. “When do we get to eat it?”

“How about now before we try to get the diva settled for the night?” Brandt grabbed two plates and forks. “I have a feeling we’re gonna need the boost.”