Sundae's Best (Briar County 2)

“Yep.”

“Okay. You too,” he replied, and Grady felt his chest warm at that, knowing Deke would be there for him too, but he wasn’t surprised. “This ain’t normal, is it? A straight guy and a gay guy going to each other for this.”

So there it was. Deke did identify as straight. Grady tried to ignore the sting of the words. “It’s normal for us. That’s all that matters. People spend too damn much time trying to be like everyone else when it’s not important. This is us, and we’re just doing what feels right.”

Deke’s teeth dug slightly into his bottom lip. “You’re good at this.”

“It’s okay if you feel a little strange, being here with me like this.”

It took Deke a moment to answer, and Grady could see he was trying to sort through his thoughts. “It should. You bein’ a man and, well, not her, but it doesn’t feel strange. I think that’s what’s throwing me for a loop the most. It just…is.”

Grady’s hand twitched with the need to cup his face, to trace his lips with the tips of his fingers…to know what he tasted like. But that would ruin everything, and he wasn’t dumb enough to do that. “That’s probably because it’s me. I’m pretty great.”

“You’re cocky is what you are.”

“Hey, so are you sometimes,” Grady countered. The moment was surreal, the two of them in bed together, Grady touching him and them laughing and talking almost as if they were a couple.

“I guess we’re both pretty great. We deserve to brag about it from time to time.” They chuckled, and Grady couldn’t help wishing they could stay here all day, just the way they were. “On that note,” Deke said, “I, um…need to take a piss. I also work this morning.”

“Oh, shit. Okay.” Grady rolled away from him and onto his back. Deke got out of bed, stretched and shit—he was clearly hard. It’s just morning wood, Grady reminded himself as Deacon headed for the bathroom. “You got time for breakfast and coffee?”

Deke paused in the doorway. “There’s always time for breakfast and coffee.”

“A man after my own heart.”

Grady grabbed a shirt and tugged it on while waiting for Deke to finish up in the bathroom, then went in to take care of business himself. When he came out, Deacon was looking out the bedroom window, and he turned around and smiled. Grady nodded toward the hallway, and Deke followed.

“Coffee first.” Grady went to the machine and worked on getting it started. “Omelets okay with you?”

“Yep, but you gotta let me help.”

“Don’t gotta tell me twice.” Grady winked.

He got food from the fridge, then started cooking some ground sausage while Deke cut peppers and onions.

“I don’t know why, but I love bell peppers.” Deke tossed a piece in his mouth.

“It depends for me. I don’t like them by themselves, but I love them in dishes. Oh, and stuffed bell peppers are great.”

“But do you eat them or just the filling?”

Grady stirred the food. “Just the filling. I’m assuming you eat the whole damn thing, which is just weird. Much weirder than me eating ham and potatoes in one bite.”

Deacon covered his ears with his hands. “No, stop. Don’t remind me. I was starting to like you again.”

“You have a weird food issue.”

“More so that I know how to eat it and you don’t.”

“Look who’s judgy first thing in the morning,” Grady teased.

They cooked, talking and joking the whole time. When the food was finished, they doctored their coffee and went on the back porch to eat. Grady’s wasn’t screened in the way Deke’s was, though it was covered.

They kept the conversation going while eating and taking in their morning caffeine. It was so…domestic. Like they were more to each other than they should be, but then, it had been like that since the beginning with Deke.

When they finished, they put the dishes in the sink, then lingered like they weren’t sure what they should do. Grady spoke first. “Maybe I’ll come by and get some ice cream today.”

“You should do that. You also gotta get me your name.”

“Soon.”

Deke nodded. “I should head out.”

“Might wanna get your shoes first.”

“Smart-ass.” They chuckled.

A minute or so later, they were by the front door, Deke ready to go. He shoved his hands in his pockets, and something about the way he stood looking at Grady told him there was something Deke needed to say but wasn’t sure he should.

Grady couldn’t do it for him, though, so he waited, knowing Deke would get it out when the time was right.

“You got plans tonight?” Deke finally said.

“I have a feeling I do now.”

Deacon grinned. “I can come over, if that’s okay. We can have dinner and then watch Goodfellas. It’s been a while for me.”

“I’d like that,” Grady replied. He liked it too much. “No obligation, but you’re welcome to stay again if you want. Or we can play it by ear. It’s all up to you.”