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Tad canted his head. “So, what kind of stuff are you curious about, exactly?”
And wasn’t that the million-dollar question.
Because in truth, Breck wasn’t even sure. All he knew was that he needed someone to talk to. A friend that understood and could hopefully relate. Thing was, he wasn’t quite ready to spill the beans. To tell Tad, or anyone for that matter, what was going on.
“I dunno.” He shrugged again. “I mean, your new lifestyle. It just… I dunno… It just seems sodifferent.” He looked at Tad. “Like, for example, what’s it like to publicly date a guy?”
Tad thought about that for a minute. “Nottoodifferent from dating a girl.”
Breck eyed him incredulously.
Tad laughed. “Okay, sosomethings are a little different. Like the looks. You just gotta get used to them. Train your mind to not give a fuck. And then, of course, there’s that thing,” he drawled, “about not provoking homophobic thugs.”
Breck’s jaw clenched at the sober reminder. When Tad had gotten jumped by three pricks in a parking lot. Just the mention of it got his blood boiling. He balled his fists, unable to even imagine what it’d done to Scott.
Clearing his throat, Breck muttered gruffly, “Yeah. Word to the wise.” But then he plastered on a smile and tried to peddle shit back. “If I recall, your ass looked pretty happy in Georgetown. Definitely hadn’t been caring about what people thought that night.”
Tad laughed and took another drink. “You mean my ass looked prettywasted. Despite Scott’s valiant efforts, I still drankwaytoo much.”
Breck smiled at that as the waitress returned with their food. “He cares about you. A lot. The way he looked out for you… It was really cool.”
Affection softened Tad’s eyes. “Yeah, he’s amazing.” He exhaled and shook his head. “I’m so fucking lucky.”
“Scott is, too,” Breck pointed out.
Tad smiled. “I certainly amuse him.”
Breck lifted a brow.
Tad grinned and poured some ketchup on his plate. “We play off each other well, and… yeah, I’ll just leave it at that.”
Breck’s insides stirred. Sometimes it felt like that with Kai as well. The way their energy always did that subtle dance. All weaving around and intertwining. Stoking their minds. Fanning things hotter. Like breath to a flame.
He loved it, that feeling. It was addicting. Especially now that they’d moved beyond their grievances from clashes in the past. When their pride had had them butting heads. All of that changing when they started meeting privately. Their need to protect their precious egos somehow diffused. And it was great, not feeling so defensive. Their chemistry felt… well, it feltbalanced.
But again, that was only in private.
He had no idea how either of them would react when back in public.
“So, no one bugs you guys? Besides those assholes? No real backlash in your day-to-day?”
Tad considered that, then shook his head. “Nope. Nothing major.” He grabbed his burger and took a bite. “But then again, I’m kind of a nobody, ya know? If I were you, for example, I’m sure it’d be different.” He smiled as he chewed, clearly meaning that as a compliment, his high-five acknowledgment of Breck’s VIP status.
But his words only made Breck frown. Just one more confirmation that, even if he wanted to, he could never go that route. That the luxury afforded to others like Tad just didn’t extend to him.
“Right,” he muttered, nodding. “Yeah, totally. Sports media and shit, the local news… They’d have a field day with me if I were gay. As would this whole fucking town. Everyone knows my face. I doubt I could step outside without getting harassed.”
Tad paused mid-chew and stared at him. Then swallowed his bite with a frown of his own. “It probably wouldn’t bethatbad. I mean, in the beginning it might be rough. But once the networks have beaten it to death, and the town’s bored of talking about it, they’ll move on.”
Breck regarded him, suddenly uneasy. Tad didn’t sound like he was talking to him in hypotheticals anymore. Instead, he seemed as though he’d been attempting to reassure him.
Breck shifted in his seat. Took another swig of his Coke. He’d hoped it’d help settle his stomach. No such luck. Although, in fairness, his Coke had a lot to contend with. Especially if Tad was intuiting his situation. No soda could help his nausea if that were the case.
“Welp.” He forced a smile. “Good thing I’m not gay.”
Tad didn’t seem to receive that sentiment very well.
“You know, formysituation,” Breck quickly amended. “Yourdeal’s totally great. But imagine beingmeand shit, and wanting to date a guy.”
