Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
As the game started and his older brothers went back and forth about their father, Matty’s phone dinged with a message. Reaching into his pocket, he brought it out to see that it was Wells, answering his text from earlier.
Wells: I miss you too. I’m ready to see you again.
With a smile, he texted back quickly.
Matty: Me too.
Wells: Are you there?
Matty: I am. We’re hanging out.
Wells: Call me after?
Matty: Yeah.
When Wells didn’t type anything back, not even a heart emoji or a smiley face, Matty’s heart jumped up into his throat.
Matty: Are we good?
Wells: Why wouldn’t we be?
Matty: You’ve been acting weird this week.
Wells: Have I?
Matty: Yeah, ever since the night after you transferred the money. I swear I’ll pay you back.
The little type bubble popped up and stayed up, and he knew Wells was typing a story. When it came, Matty held his breath as he read it.
Wells: Wren gave me shit that night for it, and then Vaughn and Jensen did the same. I got it worked out with them. But the thing is, I did rush into it and just came to the rescue like I tend to do when it comes to someone I care for. I love you, and because of that, they think it’s clouding my judgment. But I swear it’s all taken care of, and we can talk more about it later. Enjoy your brothers. I’m sorry if I’m being distant. I’m annoyed with my family, and I fucking miss you.
Matty read it twice before he could wrap his head around it.
Matty: They think I’m taking advantage of you?
Matty: Not that I care what the hell they think, only what you think.
Wells: No, not at all. It’s fine, I promise. We’re good. I promise.
Matty: Then why did they say that?
Wells didn’t answer for a moment, and then the bubble popped up.
Wells: They think you’re trying to keep me in the closet.
Matty held his breath.
Matty: Do you feel that way?
Again, it was a moment before Wells answered back.
Wells: I don’t think you’re doing it intentionally.
Matty: Wow.
Wells: Don’t be upset. It’s fine. We’re fine.
Matty: Whatever.
When his phone started to ring, it was Wells, but Matty declined the call, sliding his phone into his pocket as he shook his head. He wasn’t mad. He wasn’t even hurt because, in a way, he knew Wells’s family was right. The irrational part of him wanted to tell them all to fuck off. But the rational part, the part he had learned from Wells, knew he didn’t have the best track record, and it probably did look that way. As Matty had said, he only cared what Wells thought. But the fact that Wells felt even a little like Matty might be trying to hide him in the closet didn’t sit well with him. Matty wouldn’t have his lover, his boyfriend, feeling that way.
Taking a deep breath, he looked up just as Seth said, “He doesn’t believe in us. Hell, Avery is a successful songwriter and a great mom. Have you ever heard him give her praise? No. How about Matty? He’s a great player, but does Dad care? Nope. He irritates me.”
Matty’s mouth went dry as he nodded. “If Dad would pay attention, he’d notice that his kids are adults deserving of respect.”
Both his brothers turned back to him, their eyes wide, and for a moment, he thought he said the wrong thing. Though, he felt it was entirely true. When a slow grin crept over Seth’s face, he held up his fist. “That’s fucking right, brother. You’re quiet and a little weird, but smart.”
Laurence laughed as Matty pressed his fist to Seth’s. Laurence added, “He is, but he’s right. Dad was never around.”
“He was too busy making his way to the top.”
“And because of that, we depended on each other,” Matty said, and both of them nodded.
Seth scoffed. “Well, we did. You and Avery stuck together like a pair of symbiotic twins.”
Matty smiled as he nodded. “But now, we all have each other.”
They both grinned back. “We do.”
His heart picked up in cadence as he watched their faces carefully before saying, “Through thick and thin, right?”
Seth’s brows rose as Laurence’s face twisted in confusion. “You dying or something?”
“Yeah, what’s going on?”
You can do this. You can do this. You’re doing this for yourself. For Wells. Open your fucking mouth!
“Umm,” he stammered before leaning forward and putting the controller on the table. “I, um, actually need to talk to you two about something.”
Oh, fuck, he was doing this. Yes, he was doing this. He loved Wells. He was a gay man, and damn it, he didn’t care what anyone thought. Wells would do anything for him; he’d proved that over and over again. It was time for Matty to do the same. But when he looked up, ready to utter the words he wasn’t sure would be well received, he was stunned when he noticed they were scooting closer to him, their eyes on him, concern filling their features.