If it wasn’t that, then what was it?
Gene was seldom wrong about stuff like this. If it wasn’t that, he was hella confused.
“What are you saying?” he asked. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, CJ.”
Callen lifted his head and stared into the man’s eyes.
“I’m in love,” he whispered.
Oh, holy fuck.
He nearly dropped his brother like he was scalding hot, but somehow managed to hold him up.
He certainly didn’t mean…him.
RIGHT?
It took everything he had not to back out of the shower once it was said. Now, it explained the erection, and the self-destructive behavior. It explained him watching through the window and drawing the heart.
Oh, he knew he loved him.
Just not that kind of love.
“I saw you move on,” he slurred. “I didn’t expect to feel this. Only, I know now,” he whispered.
Oh, Jesus Christ.
Ethan now had other problems, and he hoped to God that in the morning neither he nor Callen ever brought this up again, and for a few reasons.
Gene being the big one.
Of course, he’d just threatened his man with cheating on him with his brother only to find out that Gene wouldn’t be the one Callen would climb into bed with.
What the hell did he say to all of this?
“Callen,” he said.
The man leaned on him, his lips by his ear.
“You can’t stay because we can’t be. If you keep coming here, I’m going to ask you to never leave me, and I know you, EJ. You won’t leave me.”
Oh, he was well aware of all of that.
In that moment, Ethan thought back to all of the times he and Callen slept together, cuddled, and it hit him.
Oh, God.
He thought back to the times they laughed together and spent time together. They were some of his happiest moments where he felt whole.
And it hit him, too.
HARD.
They had been more of a couple than brothers. They’d been the only person the other had.
“It hit me, and I can’t get it to go away,” Callen whispered.
Oh, Jesus Christ.
