“What was that for?”

“I wanted to kiss you. Got a problem with it?” Wes teased.

“You got jokes now, Wesley, or what? Who are you, and what did you do with the Wes I know?” But he liked it. Fuck yeah, he liked it.

“You should have said something. I feel bad.”

Braden brushed it off. “What would you have done? It’s not a big deal. Hurts a little. It’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

“Aw, you don’t like that you got hurt, do you? You’re human, too. I know you can do just about anything, but looks like you’re simply a man like the rest of us.” Wes had laughter in his voice. He moved to walk down the hall and back to the living room, but this time it was Braden who grabbed his arm.

“Say it again.”

“What?” Wes asked.

“The part where you said I can do anything.”

Wes looked up and shook his head as if he didn’t know what to do with Braden. “Only you.”

“But you like me, remember?”

“I remember,” Wes told him, and then walked away.

The rest of the night was pretty laid back. The kids ran around the house and played with their new toys. Braden and his dad took Wes to the shop to show him the motorcycle. Wes and Jessie called home and spoke with Lydia and her family. It was comfortable. They fit in with his family naturally, and Braden wondered if Wes realized it.

Since they’d had such a busy day, everyone when to bed early, including Wes and Jessie. Braden lay on the futon, staring into the dark, unable to sleep. His mom was right. He was in love with Wes. There was a small part of him that was a little freaked out over the idea just because—well, love was serious shit. It changed everything, especially with Jessie in the picture. Jock had always been the biggest responsibility he had—excluding his job. There was this little tug of fear that he hadn’t expected—what if he fucked it up?

Braden shook his head, not willing to let himself think that way. He reached over and grabbed his phone.

U awake? He texted Wes.

Yeah. What if I wasn’t, though?

U’d be awake now

Haha.

His fingers hovered over the screen, trying to figure out what else to say, or why he’d texted in the first place.

Jess ok?

He hoped like hell she wasn’t having a night like she had Christmas Eve.

It took Wes a minute to reply.

Yes.

Ah, so it’s just u who missed me.

What? You texted me.

Exactly.

There was another stall, but he didn’t regret hinting that he missed him. Finally, Wes replied, and Braden hoped he wasn’t pulling back again.

I’m glad I’m here.

Braden smiled into the dark.

Me too.

***

Today was their last full day with Braden’s family. They had plans to go into Denver to an indoor mall with ice-skating, and other Christmas activities with the kids. Jessie was excited as hell to go. Wes could see Braden favor his ankle each time he stepped, and knew he was ignoring it for Jess.

“Hey. Maybe we should sit this one out,” he told Braden as everyone was getting packed up to go. Like Wes knew he would, Braden shook his head.

“Nah. It’s cool. She’ll be heartbroken if we can’t go. I’m fine. I’ll just ice it and put it up tonight.”

It was little things like that that showed Wes more and more than he wanted this man in his life. Wanted to keep him there. He took a step closer. “Braden—”

“Do you want us to take Jessie?” Emmy approached them. “Sorry, didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Okay maybe just a little. But I wouldn’t mind, if you think she’ll be okay with it.”

His immediate response was, “No, that’s okay. Thanks, though.” He didn’t feel right with Jessie going with them if he and Braden weren’t there. The only time she hadn’t been with him since Chelle died was when she was in school, with Lydia, or Braden. Thinking of her in Denver without them made his stomach sour.

“Are you sure?” Emmy asked. “I know Brady won’t stay unless someone forces him. Plus, we’d love to have her.”

“Grandma and Papa spoil all the kids.” Braden’s sister Yvonne smiled as she walked by, her hand on her pregnant belly. Her words almost knocked him on his ass. Jessie wasn’t their granddaughter. The poor kid didn’t even know what it was like to have grandparents. He suddenly wished she did.

Emmy reached up and touched his cheek. “We’ll take care of your girl, Wes.”

The funny thing was, he didn’t doubt it. Still, he wasn’t sure...