Page 44 of Conquest

“Just so you know, even back then I had a crush on you,” Jesse said.

Evan smirked at Jesse. “And just so you know, I’m glad I didn’t meet you back then since I have a feeling prison life would cramp my style.” He looked back to Brandon. “Jess tells me you’re one hell of an actor and dancer.”

Producing a shy smile, Brandon lowered his eyes. “I do okay, I guess. There are far better actors out there than me. And my dancing is nothing compared to what you used to do on stage.”

Jesse rolled his eyes at Brandon’s feigned humility, then caught Brandon’s gaze drifting down Evan’s body, blatantly checking out his lean, fit torso. Obviously Brandon wasn’t too upset over Evan usurping his position in Jesse’s life.

“Well, that was a long time ago,” Evan said. “I doubt I could pull half those moves anymore, and I’m way behind on the latest trends.”

Brandon waved Evan’s excuses away. “You talk like it’s been decades. Dancing’s like riding a bike. If you’re free tonight, we should go to dinner, I know the best Italian restaurant, then we could go back to my place and I’ll show you all my best moves.”

Evan opened his mouth in as much shock as to protest the offer, but before he could get a word out, Jesse lunged at Brandon and shoved him back a step.

“I can’t believe you! I’m right here, and you’re hitting on him!”

Brandon rebounded and retaliated with a hard push to Jesse’s chest. “All I did was ask him out to dinner!”

Jesse stepped up to Brandon’s face. “And invite him to your apartment for ‘all your best moves’! What a lame ass line!”

“It’s better than making him stay here! You should be ashamed of yourself for making him come to this dump!”

Evan looked back and forth between the two of them, barely restraining from breaking into hysterics. “Wow. I’ve never had two brothers fight over me before. This is hot. We can move it into the bedroom if you boys like.”

Jesse sucked in a horrified gasp. Brandon started snickering. Jesse spun to walk away from him, but Brandon snatched his arm.

“Wait. Since you weren’t playing around about him, then does that mean you really did meet with Phoenix Records yesterday?”

Jesse’s chin raised in pride. “That’s right. We’re all set to make our first album. Well, we will be after our producer finds us a drummer and keyboardist, but he said he’s already got a couple people who might be interested and he’d arrange for us all to meet down at the Phoenix Studios next Monday, so by this time next year the whole world will know my name.”

Brandon threw his arms around him. “I knew you could do it! Didn’t I always tell you that?”

“Yeah, you did,” Jesse laughed as he hugged Brandon with one arm while still maintaining a grip on his towel. He stepped from Brandon’s embrace and headed toward the bathroom. “I’m going to finish showering, then we’ll go out to breakfast. I’m starving and those donuts you brought aren’t going to cut it.”

“Hurry and get ready,” Brandon said, chuckling again. “I’ve got to show you guys this stripped out Escalade parked up the street before the owner finds it and has it towed away. The damn thing’s up on blocks, the whole front clip is gone, tires, everything! It got stripped right on the street! I almost died when I saw it! What moron leaves their Escalade parked on the street in this neighborhood?”

Jesse snapped his head toward Evan.

Evan stared at Brandon. He blinked once. “Was it black?”

Brandon’s laugh slowed, then stopped as he cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

Evan took in a long, deep breath and exhaled slowly.

Jesse put his hand on Evan’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

Evan lifted Jesse’s hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on his fingers. “Don’t worry about it. This just gives me an excuse to get a Porsche Cayenne.” He turned for Jesse’s bedroom. “Let’s get ready to go.”

Jesse faced Brandon and saw his eyes were focused on Evan’s ass as he disappeared into the bedroom. He punched him hard on the bicep. “Hey! Can you behave around him while I get a shower? You’re not going to try and compromise his honor or anything, are you?”

Exasperation fell across Brandon’s face. “Will you hurry and get ready?”

Jesse gave Brandon a final warning look before going back into the bathroom. When he finished his shower, he stepped out to Brandon rambling about theatre and his roles to Evan, having already forgotten about his humble routine. He ducked into his bedroom and was pulling on a shirt when Evan stepped in.

“Is he driving you nuts?” Jesse asked, sitting on the bed to put on his shoes.

Evan shook his head. “No, but he talks almost as much as you do when he’s excited.” He stood in front of him and placed his fingers under Jesse’s chin. “Why don’t you pack a few things and come stay with me for a while?”

Jesse’s expression glowed with a bright smile. “Really?”