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“I’m okay that he’s not a baseball fan.”
He tapped Coury on the back of the head. “Fuck, you really are whipped. You? Baseball? The draft? Have you given up that dream?”
Something twisted sharply in his chest. Something he’d felt stirrings of before but hadn’t let himself consider fully. He swallowed. “It’s still my dream.”
“Then you’re leaving.” Beckett held his eyes earnestly—something Coury had rarely experienced. He understood the gravity of his friend’s caution. “If you get drafted, you’re going to some ass-crack tiny town to play minor league ball. Be honest. Are you really going to put his picture up in your locker? If your teammates are around, will you call him after a great game like I know you’d want to do? Do you see yourself inviting him to visit and stay with you, introducing him to your teammates?”
Beckett’s assessment was dead on. With each question, he struck at something Coury hadn’t really thought about. Coury looked away.
They were quiet for a long moment. “Whatever you do,” Beckett said, “don’t hurt him.”
Coury yanked his gaze up sharply. “I wouldn’t do that, Becks. You know that.”
“I notice how you stick up for him. You’ve always had his back.” Their eyes held again. “Don’t screw that up by thinking with your dick.”
Coury dropped his gaze to the bricks in the patio. After several seconds, Beckett got up. He put his hand on Coury’s back, patted it a couple of times, and walked back inside.
* * *
Liam
Having missed his chance when Beckett hooked Coury’s elbow and whisked him outside, Liam sagged onto a barstool.
He was tired; he wanted to go home. Anything to avoid the awkward conversations about who was he dating, when was he going to find someone, and his favorite: How could such a handsome young man as Liam not have a list of interested ladies?
Pop had nearly choked on a pig in a blanket when Liam’s Great Aunt Laura dropped that classic. How had no one told her Liam was gay? It had only been five years.
Most of the family gathered in small clusters. A few strays scanned the room for their next target. He ordered two sodas and strode purposely through it all, pretending he was bringing someone their drink. Coury taught Beckett that trick years ago, who’d then passed it on to Liam.
The small table near the front had been empty most of the night. Its distance from food and drink made it undesirable to most of the family, who craved the bland party food the Elk Lodge served.
He plunked onto the sturdy metal chair and tried not to wonder what they were talking about outside.
He pulled out his phone and groaned. At least another hour before anyone would leave. He nearly threw the phone across the room when the chair next to his slid back with a heavy shudder over the polished floors.
“Easy, Squirt,” Beckett said. “It’s just me.”
“Shit, Becks. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I’m tired of talking to family. I mean, family who are forty years older than us.”
“At least your cheeks aren’t bruised from everyone pinching them. It’s like I’m still a baby because I’m the youngest of all the cousins.”
“Not for long.” Beckett smirked. “Lana is pregnant, but don’t let that out. She plans to announce it tomorrow at brunch.”
“That’s cool.”
Beckett leaned back and stared at him.
“What? Do I have toothpaste on my face or something?”
“No, goofball. I’m just looking. Pop said you were a lot happier this semester and I can totally see it. I’m glad. I . . . you know.”
Liam swallowed the lump in his throat. “I really appreciate you coming to Harrison that weekend to make sure I was okay. Thank you.”
He managed to keep the tears at bay and held out his fist.
“You bet.” Beckett eyed the second soda and smiled. “Did it work?”
“Like a charm. The Coury Henderson fake out for the win.” Coury for the win in so many ways.
“Pop said you and Coury are hanging out?” Beckett picked up the glass and took a sip.
Liam nodded, his heart jumping to the base of his throat. Coury must have talked to him. “He’s made it his mission to make sure I go out once a weekend now.”
Beckett stared into the sea of family in the main part of the hall. “He’s good like that. Always doing things for someone else.”
Liam downed half his soda and screwed up his flaky courage. “I—I kissed him.”
Beckett didn’t react surprised. Maybe Coury told him. Maybe he expected his brother one day to make a fool of himself.
Beckett nodded after a second.
Liam continued, his voice hoppy and all over the place. “He’s just super nice. Did he tell you he gave up a Friday night kegger at the frat to take me to a paleontology lecture?”
“No.”
“Or that he joined me and Pop for Pizza Friday and Frights because he knew I didn’t want to go out that night? And when Pop wanted me to go to dinner with him and Helen, Coury gave up a Saturday night to go with me so I wouldn’t feel stupid.”
