At least, he hoped Orry had been out all day and hadn’t not left the light on because he was mad at George for some reason.
George hit the light switch by the door, which turned on their floor lamp. Levi put the bag down near the door as George turned to close it, giving them a bit of privacy. He checked his phone but still no reply from Orry. Ninety minutes wasn’t the longest he’d ever taken to reply to a text, but George was also used to knowing which job Orry was doing. Saturday night was a good night for driving ride shares or bartending.
“Nothing from your brother?”
George shook his head. “I mean, I’m not super worried or anything. I guess I was hoping he’d be home. I wanted a hug.”
“Will a hug from me tide you over?”
“Definitely.” George slid easily into Levi’s arms now, and he rested his head on Levi’s shoulder, nose pressed into his neck.
“I suppose this will have to tide me over for a while too.” He ran his fingers through George’s hair in the familiar, petting gesture that George was beginning to adore. It made him want to roll over and show his belly like a puppy.
They stayed like that until a key rattled in the doorknob, then broke apart quickly, George’s heart suddenly in his throat. Orry didn’t seem surprised to see Levi; someone downstairs must have mentioned him still being here. “You must have just got back,” he said. “You’re still in your coats.”
George didn’t want to lie and say yeah, they had just gotten back. Levi saved him with, “We got distracted. It was a long week.”
“Huh.” Orry tossed his own coat over the back of a chair, even though they had hooks by the door, then went to the fridge.
“You don’t work tonight?” George asked.
“Bartending gig starts at ten, and I was hoping to eat before then if that’s okay.”
George took a step back, even though the remarks had been directed toward the refrigerator’s interior. It wasn’t like Orry to be that snappish with him. Levi briefly squeezed his elbow before letting go. “I’m sorry.”
Orry sighed heavily and let the fridge door close. Turned. “No, I’m sorry. It’s just been a really long day of ride shares and I’ve missed you. The apartment has been so empty.”
“I missed you too.” George opened his arms. “Peace?”
“Of course, dude, we aren’t fighting.” Orry crossed the distance and hugged him. “I’m glad you’re home, and I’m glad you had a good week.”
“I had a great week.” George squeezed his brother tight, overjoyed to be with him again after almost a full week apart. The longest separation since they were both sixteen. “I took way more pictures than I sent you.”
“I bet.” Orry pulled back and studied him. “You seem different. More confident.”
“I am. I rode a horse and camped overnight, and I made new friends and acquaintances. I was so happy, Or. I felt alive for the first time since... I don’t even know. It’s been forever.”
“I believe you.” He shot Levi a suspicious look. “I also need to eat before I got to work again. We’ll talk more in the morning, yeah?”
“Of course.”
Orry went back to rummaging in the fridge. George took Levi outside to the private landing. “Call me tomorrow when you have a chance to talk to him,” Levi whispered. “We’ll plan our next date.”
“Okay.” George brushed his lips over Levi’s, wishing he was brave enough to do more. “I’ll see you soon. Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome. It was all truly my honor. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Count on it.” He reluctantly watched Levi descend the steps and disappear from sight. The muffled sounds of Levi saying goodbye to the Monopoly crew drifted up, and then the softer sound of the front door closing. After an entire week close to him, Levi was gone.
George went into the apartment where Orry was eating a sandwich at the small kitchen table while also doing something on his phone. He was tired and the idea of a long, hot bath was appealing, but George plunked his ass down into the chair opposite his brother and asked, “Why did you lie to me on Thanksgiving?”
Orry nearly choked on his food. “What?”
“You told me you had a bartending gig, but the bar you work at was closed that night. I’ve kept this in for weeks, bro, but I need to know the truth.” George couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so blunt with his brother, demanding information rather than simply accepting what he was told. And it felt good. Freeing.
Orry put his sandwich down and stared at him for a long time, his identical blue eyes difficult to read for the first time in ages. “I didn’t mean to lie. Exactly.”
“What does that even mean? Lying is lying.” And wasn’t he guilty of the same thing by not telling Orry he was gay and now dating Levi? Probably but right now, this was about his brother.
“I know, I just...didn’t want to put any kind of pressure on you. About stuff.”
“Stuff like what?”
“Dating stuff.”
For a split second, George thought Orry knew about him dating Levi. Except that wasn’t right. No one knew for sure about their status, which meant... “Are you dating someone?”
“Yes.” Orry stared at his lap. “I met her in late October, and a few times when I said I was working I was actually with her. Hanging out. Doing stuff.”
For all that George was excited that Orry was dating, he was still confused by the subterfuge. “Why did you think you needed to lie to me about seeing someone? I want you to be happy, and if dating this girl makes you happy then great. I’m all for it.”
He looked up. “Really? It’s been just you and me for so long. You aren’t jealous?”
“No.” George didn’t have to consider his answer for a moment. “You have taken such good care of me for the last seven years, and I can’t possibly be jealous over you finding someone who makes you happy. As long as she makes you happy.”
The grin on Orry’s face said everything without words. “Yeah. She’s pretty great. Believe it or not, she was a ride share client. We hit it off talking in the car, and she actually told me to call her, so I did.”
“What’s her name?”
“Zoey. I really like her, George.”
“Good.” He reached across the small table to squeeze Orry’s wrist. “I’m happy for you. Honestly. So, I, uh.” His stomach seized up tight. “Hope you can be happy for me, too.”