Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Can I help you?” a blond man with green eyes asks. He’s wearing a suit and has a tape measure around his neck.
“We have an appointment. Brenner Dean and Taylor Falkner.”
“Oh yes. Your parents are getting married, right? You’re part of the wedding party.”
“We are the wedding party,” I reply. Our tailor doesn’t look impressed with me. “Hey, Taylor and tailor,” I tease.
“It’s his first time in public,” my Taylor jokes.
“Well…yes. Let’s get started. Taylor, come with me. My coworker will help you, Brandon.”
“Brenner.” Other Tailor is a dick.
A woman approaches, and I follow her toward the back where they went. There are a few rooms, and Taylor is in one of them already, while Asshole Tailor waits outside.
“I’m Heidi. Your suit is inside. Go ahead and put it on, and then we’ll get started.”
I nod and go into the room. Taylor and I could have gone into one together, but I’m pretty sure that’s frowned upon. I hurry into all the clothes, then open the door to only see Heidi waiting for me. Asshole Tailor must already be inside.
“One of your parents is getting married, right?” Heidi asks.
“My dad is marrying Taylor’s mom.”
Heidi makes small talk while telling me how to move and stand, taking measurements and sticking pins in places, but I can’t stop focusing on what’s going on in the other room. Asshole Tailor is really chatty in there. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but twice he makes my Taylor laugh, and what the fuck? Asshole Tailor didn’t seem that funny to me. I’m also pretty fucking sure Asshole Tailor is queer, and if he thinks he’s going to hit on my…whatever it is we are, he has another thing coming.
“Can you lift your arms?” Heidi asks, and I really wish I could tell her no and go to the next booth and see what’s so funny. But I do what she says while she pulls things in a really weird way.
More mumbling from the other room.
Taylor laughing.
“Psst!” I say loudly.
Heidi frowns. “Yes?”
“Not you. I was talking to Taylor…not the tailor, my Taylor, I mean.”
She chuckles. Thankfully, Heidi’s chill, but Taylor doesn’t seem to hear me. “Is he your…” she asks.
Well, shit. “Best friend,” I finish for her.
“Nice. Bet it’s cool that your parents are getting married.”
I doubt she would be saying that if she knew we’re sleeping with each other. Or that I’m standing here jealous. This situation is messing with my head.
Luckily, no more laughing comes from the booth next door, and a little while later, we’re walking out of the store together. “Asshole Tailor wants to fuck you.”
Taylor laughs. “What? No way. Wait. You’re serious? He’s queer?”
“You haven’t gotten the homing beacon installed yet?” I tease. Clearly, it’s not something every queer person immediately recognizes in another.
He rolls his eyes. “Second time jealous has come up in one day. That’s so cute.”
“Like you weren’t jealous at the party last month.”
“I’m not denying it.”
We should maybe talk about what that means, but luckily, he doesn’t press me to open up and share my feelings right now. It would be hard to share something I don’t yet understand. “Good. I’m not either. Oh hey, you know what? I heard there’s a new arcade over here. We should go.”
“Are you taking me out, Bren?”
“I mean, I figured you would pay, but I’m willing to negotiate.”
He reaches out and laces our fingers together. It surprises me for a moment, and Taylor tugs me closer, giving me another of those sweet kisses I never saw the draw of before him. “The arcade sounds fun, and no worries, I get the jealousy. Like I said, I felt the same about you. That must be normal for best friends who are future stepbros and having sex with each other.”
I laugh.
Yeah. Normal. I sure as hell hope so.
We detangle our hands and get into the car. Taylor looks up the new arcade, then drives there. This is actually perfect. We haven’t done something like this together in a long time.
“You know I’ll kick your ass at everything we play, right?” Taylor teases.
“Yes. I’m used to it by now.”
“You want me to let you win?”
I gasp. “Hell no.”
“Good. Because I wouldn’t anyway.”
We get to the arcade and find a parking spot. It’s loud inside from all the games and people.
“Race you!” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, we start running toward one of the machines for coins like we’re twelve years old.
Taylor gets there before me, and I pretend to be annoyed, but of course I’m not. We get a prepaid game card, then head straight for the games. We play old-school fighting games, newer shooter games, and the zombie game Taylor loves. He beats me at everything, like we knew he would, but I hold my own pretty well.