Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“Is that code for brother time?” the youngest Swift asks.
Archer chuckles. “Only you, East.”
But he’s right. That’s exactly what Morgan’s suggesting.
The three of us put our coats on, and Tripp gives me a smile when he hands me the keys.
It’s cold outside, but I can hardly feel it. All I can think about is the fact that I’m walking out of a bar with Morgan and East, to carry in stools I made for my brother, and how unbelievable that feels.
“There’re six in total, wrapped so they don’t get scratched.” I unlock the cover on the back of Tripp’s truck.
“Thanks. I appreciate that. We can put them in my office for now.”
We each grab two stools, and Morgan leads us around the back of the bar to his office. The door is hardly closed when East says, “Your duffel is in Tripp’s truck.”
“Jesus, East.” Morgan chuckles.
“How do you know it’s mine?”
“I just do.”
I set the stools down. Well, this is what Tripp and I talked about, isn’t it? I didn’t know it would happen this way, but maybe it’s for the better—me saying it here, just the three of us. This is what brothers do, right? I never sat around and talked with Morgan about Dusty or to East about Archer, but we’re able to share these things now.
I run a hand through my hair, don’t make eye contact because this is all still so damn new. But then something comes over me. I look up at them, back straight, head high. “We’re together, Tripp and me.”
As if there were one button for both of them, Morgan and East smile.
“I didn’t know I was bisexual, or whatever I am, until him.” Demisexual feels right too, but it’s not something I want to talk to my brothers about. “It’s…different…but I’ve never…”
I don’t know why I can’t finish. I feel cut open, raw and laid bare, but surprisingly, not in a bad way. It feels like another step forward.
“We don’t have to have all the answers right away,” Morgan tells me. “Life is about learning and growing.”
“Morgan…with Dusty that time…it wasn’t—”
“No,” he cuts me off. “We don’t have to go there again. That was in the past, remember? Right now, we want to hear about you and Cass.”
So I tell them, about becoming friends with Tripp, about work and how he asks me things about myself and tucks them away for later. About how he makes me feel, and what it’s like spending time at their place with him and Meadow. “She said I’ve changed. And I have.”
“Now we’re getting to know the real Rhett. And you are too.” East squeezes my shoulder.
“Yeah, yeah I am.”
“Cass makes you happy. I can see the difference. Welcome home, brother.” Morgan’s voice breaks on the last word, and before I know it, the three of us are hugging. I consider telling them about Dad coming by today, but now isn’t the time. He doesn’t deserve to take up another moment of our time together, not after everything he’s already robbed us of. Tonight is just about us, well, us and the three men waiting for us in the bar.
“Are you going to unpack the stools so we can check them out?” East asks.
“Hell yes. I’ve been dying for more of these.” Morgan begins unwrapping one, East another. I join in, pulling Bubble Wrap off the stools, East getting distracted halfway through with popping the bubbles.
“I love bubble poppers,” he says.
“I didn’t know that about you,” I tell East.
I figure there’s a lot we don’t know about each other, but now we’ll get to find out.
When we’re finished, Morgan says, “These are incredible, Rhett. The amount of detail is astonishing. I can’t believe you’ve been holding this talent in for most of your life.”
“I guess it’s kind of like you and running this bar. New beginnings.”
He nods, holding my gaze. A moment later, he says, “I guess we should return to our men.”
Our men. I nearly get dizzy with happiness. Mine. Tripp is mine. “I guess so…and about what I told you guys, it’s just between the two of us for now. At least until Tripp tells Meadow.”
“Your secret is safe with us,” Morgan says, and then we head back to the bar.
Tripp smiles at me, then discreetly sets his hand on my thigh. “You okay?” he asks quietly, just for me.
“I’m perfect.”
“I think this calls for a toast.” Dusty pours us beers. “To family.”
“And friends,” Archer adds.
“To the people we love,” Tripp says, making my heart bang against my chest. Does he mean…? Is he saying he loves me? No. Not like that, I don’t think. Just the love between everyone at this table.
I repeat what I said to my brothers. “To new beginnings.”
We clink our glasses together, and I know this night will make it to my list of favorite days.