Page 153 of Raw Notes, Rough Nights

“I don’t need you to like what I choose.” I looked him in the eye. “But Idoneed you to respect that itismy choice. And his.”

Gary met my gaze, and it was as if something in him finally gave way. “I do,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I promise.”

I watched him for a second longer, then stepped aside and opened the door.

“He’s inside. And he’s still hurting.”

“So am I.”

“Then don’t make it worse.” I heard the steel in my own words.

Gary swallowed. “I won’t.” He went inside, then stiffened, and I knew without seeing that Theo was awake.

He stood in the living room, his arms at his sides.

Gary walked over to him. “Theo, I owe you an apology.” His voice shook.

Theo didn’t move.

“I was angry because I was scared,” Gary continued. “Not of you—never of you—but of losing my brother. And I let that fear turn into accusation.”

Theo clenched his jaw.

“You’re not Luka,” Gary said. “And I should never—never—have put you in the same sentence as him.”

Theo flinched, but he didn’t look away.

“I trust you,” Gary said quietly. “I’ve trusted you for over a decade. I forgot that for a moment, and I hurt you because of it.”

Theo swallowed hard. “Why did you come back? Why now?”

Gary looked between us. “Because I finally understood something.” He took a breath.

“You choosing each other doesn’t mean I’m losing Cam.” His voice steadied. “It means he’s gaining someone who loves him as fiercely as I do.”

My eyes burned.

Theo said nothing for a long moment, then expelled a breath. “Thank you.”

Gary nodded. He turned to me, closed the gap between us, and wrapped me in a hug so tight he squeezed a startled sound out of me.

“Still my little brother,” Gary murmured. “Just… not so little.” Then he turned to Theo and hesitated before holding out his hand.

Theo looked at it for a long second, then took it.

Okay, it wasn’t a hug, and maybe we hadn’t finished forgiving him yet, but it was a start.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Cameron

Gary glanced at our surroundings.“Nice café.”

“Theo’s recommendation. He comes here to work.”

I could see why Theo liked the place. The aromas of coffee, chocolate, buttery pastries, and spices permeated the air, and through the large window the world passed by. Most of the tables along the wall were populated by people working on laptops.

“Now tell me why we’re talking here instead of at the flat.”