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“Do I need a reason?”
“You never stop by without one, so yes.”
He kept eating, holding his fork and knife correctly. “Dad told me about his conversation with Heath.”
“I figured.”
“And that Heath would step down.”
“Yes.” I lifted my gaze and looked at him.
He chewed as he stared at me. “I’m surprised he agreed.”
“Dad didn’t give him a choice.”
He took another bite and chewed slowly.
“If Dad can get on board, I don’t see why—”
“I said I would try. I will.” He cut into his food and kept eating. “Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to come over for Christmas morning.”
“Me? Or me and Heath?”
He stared at me for a long time, like he had to think about it. “Both of you.”
That was music to my ears, finally allowed to wear the man I loved on my arm. Because if I had to choose, I wasn’t going to leave Heath alone on Christmas while I spent time with my family. We were a set. “Thank you.”
He shrugged in response. “I know if he’s not invited, I won’t get to see you.”
“And by inviting him, you just made me very happy.”
He grabbed his glass and took a drink. “Dad handled the whole thing a lot better than I expected.”
“Because he understands what Heath means to me.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“And I wouldn’t ask him to look past the situation if this wasn’t the only man I want to be with.”
He swirled his glass and took another drink.
“How have you been?”
“Fine.”
“That’s it? I figured you’d be really happy.”
“I am,” he said. “I just… This whole thing with Heath is a lot.”
“All you have to do is accept him. I’m not asking you to be his brother.”
“I know. It’s just weird. I hoped Dad would lay down the law and get rid of him…but guess not.”
“I know you don’t mean that,” I whispered. “Because I would be really devastated…”
A guilty look came into his eyes, like he did feel bad about what he’d said.
“When do you think you guys will get married?” Just as I finished the sentence, the door downstairs closed.
Damien heard it too, because he went rigid.
Heath didn’t usually come home until much later, so that was a surprise.
His heavy footfalls became louder as he headed up the stairs. My back was to him so I couldn’t see, but Damien’s serious expression told me that it was him. Heath opened the cabinet, got a plate, and scooped the food onto it. Then he came to the table, joining us. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey.” Once he was beside me, I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. It wasn’t the way I would usually greet him, but I felt awkward doing anything else with my brother sitting across from me.
Damien kept eating, not looking at him.
Heath didn’t say anything either, his eyes focused on his meal.
The men preferred silence to forced conversation.
“Damien.” I said his name quietly, giving him a nudge.
He stared at me, his eyes hostile.
I gave him a kick under the table.
He kicked me back and stayed silent.
Heath grabbed the wine bottle and filled his glass. “Damien. What do you think of Catalina’s cooking?” When my brother couldn’t bring himself to break the ice, Heath stepped up.
Damien took a while to answer, like he wanted to resist. “Good. Surprisingly good.”
“I taught her how to make this. And it’s better than mine.” Heath ate like he was starving, always scooping all of his food into his mouth like he was in a rush.
Damien went quiet again, picking at his food. “I like your front door.”
“A tank couldn’t get through it,” Heath said, his elbows on the table.
“So, are you living with him now?” Damien asked, looking at me.
“Not technically,” I answered. “But yeah, I guess. I mean, I like his place a lot more than mine—and not because of the door.”
Damien finished his food, so he sat with his elbows on the table, his fingertips at his lips.
“Tell Heath why you came over here.” I had to hold both of their hands and get them to talk, like they were boys who didn’t get along on the playground.
Damien gave a quiet sigh. “Wanted to invite you to Christmas.” He cleared his throat. “Both of you.”
Heath raised his gaze and looked at Damien, like he’d just extended a lifeline. “Thank you.”
Damien still wouldn’t look at him. “I guess I should get going…” He started to rise.
“Sit your ass down,” I said as I pointed my fork at him. “It’s rude to leave a meal when other people aren’t finished.”
“I’m a pretty rude guy, so…” He shrugged.
“I’ll stab this fork into your eye, alright?” I moved the fork back to the plate.
Damien stayed put and finally looked at Heath for the first time. “When are you going to quit?”
I imagined their conversations went much better when I wasn’t there, even if their discussions were hostile. But in peacetime, they had no idea how to behave around each other.
