Page 24 of Until Him

I saw my brother right before the fall semester started, so it hasn’t technically beenthatlong since we’ve hung out. But it’s noticeable because we were always so close growing up. We were inseparable. It’s one of the reasons Finn is so close to him too. Everything I did growing up, I did with the two of them.

But then the accident happened, and things got weird.

So yeah, my absence has been noted and Landon knows why, so he’s calling me on it—like he should.

I sigh and press the palms of my hands into my eyes. I can’t think too much about this, or I’ll really stress out. And I can’t be late for practice either. I need my head in the game today. I can’t be distracted.

I tiptoe out the door and then look over my shoulder once more for good measure.

Fuck, I need to peel my eyes away. He’s just an ordinary guy with a big brain and an even bigger dick. Nothing to see here.

I shut the door quietly and jog down the steps. First, practice, then class.

Then on to bigger issues, like how to deal with seeing my brother again and pretending like I’m fine.

* * *

“Want to go hang out with Damon and Xander after class?” Finn asks me, and I shake my head.

“Nah, can’t. I’m busy. Plus, you’ve been a tattletale, so I’m kinda mad at you.”

Finn runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “God, I know. I’m sorry, okay? You know I don’t keep secrets from Landon. He looks at me all pouty and shit, and I just cave.”

“Yeah, but I’m your best friend.”

“Yeah, but Landon is…Landon.”

I eye my best friend suspiciously and see his cheeks flush. Yeah, okay. I know my brother and Finn are close, but what the fuck is going on? Maybe having Theo’s dick in my mouth has awakened some kind of sixth sense when it comes to gay shit.

“So, what are you busy with? Why can’t you hang?”

I shrug and bite into my breakfast sandwich. “Theo’s sick. Gonna make sure he’s okay.”

“Hold up, the guy who’s tutoring you? Why the fuck do you care about him?” Finn asks, looking seriously confused.

Yeah, dude. So am I.

“Dunno, Finn. He’s really sick, and I don’t think he has anyone around to help him. And we all know how it is to be alone when you feel like shit. I just can’t help myself, it seems. Ever since Landon…”

Finn’s eyebrows scrunch, and then he nods. “Okay. Yeah, I get it.I get it.”

Yeah, he better, because Finn is all gaga over my younger brother. He’s always doing all sorts of shit for him all the time. Landon only needs to blink, and Finn is at his side, feeding him grapes and fanning his face. He carried him around for a while there, too.

I thought Finn was bad before the accident. Now he’s like ten times worse. I’m surprised Landon can stand it. It’s almost overbearing. I mean, as it is, he drives out to see him every weekend that we don’t have a game.

“Call me if you need anything.”

“I will. Thanks, man.”

When I make it back to Theo’s apartment, I knock on the door. I probably should have grabbed a key when I’d snuck out this morning, but I didn’t want him flying off the handle if he woke up lucid and found them missing.

I don’t want him to think I’m a creep. Even though I did stare creepily at him earlier and Curie caught me. She eyed me like she knew what was going on in my head.

I shooed her away, but she just flaunted her butthole again.

When I hear no commotion on the other side of the wall, I start to worry that maybe he’s passed out somewhere and is really hurt, but then the door is flung open. Theo frowns at me, all rumpled and groggy. When he doesn’t tell me to go away and just proceeds to scowl at me, I think we’re making progress.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, stepping into his space.

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