The fact Antonia has on fuzzy socks that have ears is kind of distracting. She’s also using that awful blanket; I need to get her something new and soft to use.
“Gavin!” they both shout in unison.
“What?”
“Why do you think Aidan is gay? Didn’t he just leave his girlfriend?”
“She cheated on him ages ago and they kind of had this back and forth thing going on, but he wanted a clean break from her once and for all, but he’s been acting secretive with his phone. I answered it tonight and some guy was saying he wants Aidan to make him sweat and some other things about their relationship.”
I sit and then stand. Aidan’s never given any indications to being in to dudes. He loves women.
“I think it’s sweet, and maybe he’s secretive because he’s worried you’d act just like you are?” Mary snipes.
I glare at her. “I’m not homophobic, it’s just confusing the hell out of me. Aidan and I have always been really close and can tell each other anything. If he does play for the other team then he’s been hiding it from me my whole life.”
“Or he’s been hiding the real him from himself. Don’t make this about you. Put yourself in his shoes. What if you started developing feelings for someone unexpected and it threw you off course?” Antonia asks me, and it hits a little too close to home because the more I’m around her, the more I fall for her and that has my head all kinds of off course. I know it can never be more than friendship. I will keep that and be what she needs and not damage a friendship with Finlay that I’ve had since college by doing something foolish like telling her how I feel.
She would let me down easy because that’s the kind of beautiful soul she is, but it would hang there between us and ruin the connection we’ve built over these past months.
“Why do you just keep staring in silence?” Mary chirps, and I realize that’s exactly what I’m doing and need to shake myself.
“I love my brother and will support him whoever he chooses to be with, whether that be a woman or a man.”
Mary grins and Antonia nods her head. “Now tell him that.”
She’s right. “Okay. See you two later. Pizza on me.”
“And wine,” Mary adds.
“Fine.”
I go to leave but stop just in front of Antonia, who called my name. She raises a brow and nods towards the TV.
Of course.
I switch it back on, and just as I’m walking out the door, Antonia shouts, “Oh crap. I missed Hazel learning to walk, Gavin.”
Oops.
Knocking on the door to Aidan’s room, I wait and debate just talking to him tomorrow, but the thought of him thinking I’d not approve and him stewing all night just aches my heart. He’s always been there for me and I’d never have a problem with him being gay.
The door opens and he stands there in a pair of shorts and no shirt. “I’m going to bed, Gavin, so whatever you have to say can be said tomorrow.” Stopping the door from closing with my foot earns me a glare. “Gavin.”
“Let me say what I need to and then you can go to sleep.”
He opens the door wider and folds his arms. His jaw’s tense and I hate that he’s so defensive.
“The guy on the phone. If there’s something going on and you want to talk about it, I want you to know you can come to me. No judgement, just understanding.”
His eyes narrow and he swallows but doesn’t say anything.
“Aidan, I don’t care who you fuck, love, or hang out with as long as they make you happy.”
He frowns and then bursts into laughter, reaching out and slapping me over the head. “You think I’m gay?”
“Well, yeah. That guy wants you to make him sweat.”
He laughs really hard. Maybe he isn’t gay.
“You’re an idiot. That was Ronnie. We’ve gone into business together.”
“What kind of business?”
“A gym, dumbass. You really thought I’d turned gay?”
I scoff. “You did say you were off women for life.”
“Figure of speech, Gav.”
Well, now I feel stupid. “Why the secrecy?”
He pushes past me and I follow him into the kitchen where he pulls a carton of milk from the fridge and drinks it. Swiping his milk tash, he leans on the counter. “It was something I wanted to make sure went through and that I could raise the funds for before I told you.”
“But I could have helped you with the money,” I tell him, confused that he didn’t tell me this was something he wanted to do.
“Exactly. I didn’t want my little brother giving me the money. I needed to do this for me, so I can be proud of something and not live off you forever.” He grins and walks over to where I’m standing, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You’re my little brother and I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. You inspire me and that’s all I can ask for.” He brings me in for a brief hug before releasing me and punching me in the gut. “That’s for thinking I’m gay. Do you not know me at all?”
I cough and clutch at my abs. Bastard. “You punch like a girl.”
“Doesn’t make me gay, asshole.”
He’s heading back to his room when I shout, “There’s nothing wrong with being into men.”
“I know. That’s why I still love you no matter who you bone, brother.”
Damn it, that backfired. Antonia is going to have my life over this one.
“Hello?” Gaby’s voice calls out from the front door. Peeking my head around the kitchen door, I see her waving at me from the open door. She never just comes over. In fact, she’s never around anymore. Mike is building them a house and she spends most of her time at her mother’s, planning their big day.
“Hey,” I say cautiously.
She walks towards me with a smile on her face and an envelope in her hand. “It seemed pointless sending by post when we live next door.” She laughs nervously.
“What is it?”
Pointing to the white ribbon around it, she says, “A wedding invitation, silly.”
She’s waiting for a response or a reaction, and in a way, so am I, but I feel…nothing. I’m actually a little relieved and a fraction happy for her. I’ve known Gaby for a long time and watched her struggle with her overbearing brother and the death of their father, and then the whole he wasn’t your father thing. She deserves this piece of happiness.
“Thanks. Of course I’ll be there.” I hold the invitation up and then slip it in my back pocket.
She lingers and the silence becomes awkward.
“Okay, great. So.”
“So.” I agree and she turns on her heel and gestures to the front door.
“I’ll leave you to it.”
“Okay. Thanks again for the invite.”
“You’re welcome. It’s a plus one,” she says in a hurried tone.
“I’ll bring Aidan.”
She waves her hand and furrows her brow. “Oh, Aidan can just come. You should bring a date.”
Why does she care who I bring, unless it would just be less tension if I were with someone on the day? Maybe I just let her know right now that I agree with her that our one-nighter was a mistake and I’m glad things turned out the way they did.