15. Barrett
15
BARRETT
The art expo at East Dremest Luxury Hotel he brought it to life. The rolling hills, the horses grazing, the way the clouds floated across the sky. I could almost feel the breeze against my skin.
I was surprised by the other one he brought. It was the painting of us eating ice cream when we were younger. It didn’t matter that it was us and could be hung in someone’s home. I’d never hold Marshall back out of my need for privacy. I had a feeling they were both going to sell.
When the event started, and trays of appetizers and drinks were walked around, I drifted from my brother’s area, not wanting to see people turn up their noses at his work. I doubted they would, but not all of the Dremest citizens were kind. Some thought they were better than the rest.
Jordan thought he was. Then again, he actually was. With that attitude came a man who wanted to help his city. He wasn’t so stuck-up he didn’t see what was happening in front of him, or if he could help, he wouldn’t.
As I made my second lap, I relaxed. Jordan wasn’t here, and neither was anyone I worked with. This wasn’t an event for them. I still worried, still didn’t want them here, learning more about me.
Turning, I started to return to my brother to check in when a familiar person entered the room.
Reghan’s hair was brushed back, and he wore black slacks with a baby-blue button-down. The sleeves were rolled up, showing off his powerful arms. Everything about him called to me on a primal level, to the point I was walking toward him before realizing what I was doing.
Dark eyes met mine, and a slow smile formed on his delicious lips. I could say that now because I’d kissed him. It was only once, but it would forever be ingrained in me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, more accusatory than curious.
“Hello to you too.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“I’m not allowed to attend events like this?”
“Are you into art?”
Reghan leaned close so his lips brushed the shell of my ear, eliciting a shiver that ran through me. “I’m into you. This has to do with your brother, so I want to support both of you. I looked up the event, and here I am.”
I should move away, but my body said fuck that and pressed closer. I still had enough sense to say, “We don’t want your pity.”
He moved so he could look into my eyes. “When have I ever pitied you, Bear?”
“In the café.” I’d never forget that moment.
“No, in there, I wanted to comfort you and ease your pain. That’s not pity. The more you get to know me, the more you’ll understand me. I’m here to look at local art and maybe purchase some. I have a new apartment that needs a little something to brighten it.”
“Well, don’t let me stop you.”
Could I be fucking normal for once in front of him? He already knew more than any other person besides my family about me, and yet I kept pushing him away and putting that mask I wore so well on. I wanted to be real with him, but this came more naturally. It was a defense mechanism honed after years of not letting anyone in.
Before he could reply, the hotel's owner clapped him on the shoulder. “Reghan, I didn’t know you were coming by tonight.”
“Emeric, it’s nice to see you again.” They shook.
Over six feet with light-auburn hair and a clean-shaven jaw, Emeric Saylor turned heads wherever he went, except mine. I didn’t have eyes for anyone except Reghan. I was still alert to my surroundings though. “Are you here to purchase? I’m matching the price of every piece sold and donating it to the city.”
“In that case, I’ll have to buy more than one item.”
Emeric grinned. “The city and the artists will appreciate it.” Then he focused on me. His blue eyes were not as warm as they were with Reghan. Emeric knew who I was and had a ballpark idea of the sides I played. I didn’t trust him, but I didn’t hate him either. He was kind to my brother and the other artists tonight, plus he did a good thing by building an upscale hotel here. East Dremest needed more development to attract people to visit our side of the city. “Detective North, I saw on my list that your brother is one of the artists tonight. How’s he doing?”
“Good. No sales yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” I was confident enough for both Marshall and me.
“Everything is going well between you and Reghan? I don’t want any problems.” He smiled in greeting at a woman in a navy dress who walked past us.
“You won’t have trouble from us. We were only talking. I should get back to my brother.” If others saw me with Reghan and knew who he worked for, it could get back to my superiors, and I really didn’t want to deal with that shit.
“I’ll come with you,” Reghan said. “We’re good, Em. No worries here.”
He nodded. “Have a nice evening.” Emeric left to make his rounds, encouraging others to purchase by saying he was donating money.
As we walked, before I could open my mouth and tell Reghan to leave me alone, he whispered, “I didn’t say that because you can’t handle yourself. I know you can. Emeric was just doing his job and making sure everything was all right. Now, if you don’t want to introduce me to your brother, I can walk the other way—your call. I would like to meet him though. Not for Jordan or anything else. For me, because I care.”
How could I turn him away after saying that? I held back a groan. Opening myself more to Reghan didn’t make me want to run toward my brother and shield him. It felt natural to bring Reghan over, even if I shouldn't have him near Marshall or me in public.
Marshall smiled as we approached. A dark-green sweater spanned his slender frame. He paired it with gray slacks that were cut slim. His usually messy hair was tamed. I preferred him the other way, but tonight wasn’t about me. Marshall said he had to impress. I’d said fuck what others thought. He’d laughed.
“Mars, this is Reghan. Reghan, my brother, Marshall.”
My brother's eyes bounced back and forth between us as his smile grew. “So, you’re the man my brother’s been brooding over for what feels like an eternity.”
“Brooding?” Reghan asked. “I couldn’t possibly picture him doing that.” He rolled his eyes. My god, it was so fucking playful I had to resist kissing him. I never expected this side to come out of Reghan. It showed how little I knew about him.
Marshall laughed and extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” They shook. Reghan was far gentler than I imagined he’d be.
“It’s nice to meet you as well. Are these yours?” He nodded toward the paintings.
“They are. I have more at home. We were only allowed two pieces per artist.”
Stepping closer, Reghan’s eyes went over both paintings, though he paid special attention to the one of my brother and me. “That’s you, isn’t it?” he asked me.
“It is. That scene really happened. Mars remembered it and painted it recently.”
“Is this the price?” he asked my brother. Marshall priced them higher than he originally thought he should. I told him the wealthy of East Dremest could afford five times his prices, so he raised them a little.
“It is, but if you want to negotiate, I can do that too.”
“Now, hold on,” I cut in.
“I’ll take it,” Reghan said.
“What?” I faced him. “I told you no pity.”
“And I told you I don’t pity you, Bear.” He leaned close and dropped his voice so only I could hear him, although Marshall was close enough, he would too. “I don’t want a painting of you and your brother in anyone else’s home but mine.”
“Oh my god, you’re perfect,” Marshall whispered. “And you called him Bear. How sweet is that?” When I glanced at my brother, he had his hands clasped and held against his chest.
I pointed at my brother. “You’re not calling me that.”
“That’s Reghan’s name for you, not mine.” Marshall bent to pull a slip of paper out of his bag. He placed it over the top corner of the painting. SOLD was in bold gold letters. Then he handed a piece of paper to Reghan and instructed him on how to pay for it.
“Thank you. I’m going to look at the other pieces of art before I pay,” Reghan said and left my brother and me alone.
Marshall gripped my arm once Reghan was gone. “Barrett, he’s the best. I don’t understand all the brooding though.”
“You don’t know him.”
“I don’t need to. The way he looks at you speaks for itself. There was adoration in his eyes when they were on you.”
“It can’t work, and before you ask why, don’t. Just take my word for it.”
“That’s bullshit. There’s always a way to be with the person you’re meant for. This is no different.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t tell Marshall why it was a horrible idea to be with Reghan. That would mean revealing what I did on the side.
A potential buyer stopped to look at the countryside painting, so I drifted again, silently trailing Reghan around the room. I watched as he made another purchase. This time for a beautiful piece of blown glass in a rainbow of colors.
He moved on to the next person, then the next, before stopping and turning so fast I almost ran into him. “If you’re this obvious at work, it’s amazing you’ve made it this far.”
“You know I’m not.”
“We have to talk after I pay.” He didn’t say it in a threatening way. If anyone overheard, they’d think he just wanted a word with me. I, however, knew better.
“I’ve already told you it can’t work.” Of course, my mind went there. Reghan was standing in front of me, looking like a fucking god, after buying art from my brother because he didn’t want anyone else to have a painting of me. It affected me more than I cared to admit.
“And I’m going to tell you it can. I talked to… him. We’re good.”
“What does that mean?”
“I got the green light.”
“Oh no, there’s no green light here. There are red flags, orange cones, hazard tape, and a person in a fluorescent vest waving his arms and screaming at us to turn around. Are you out of your damn mind?”
“Nope. I see things pretty fucking clearly. I’m going to pay for my new pieces of art, and we’re going to talk.”
“Hell no, we aren’t. The event is almost over. I need to help my brother and go home.”
“Then I’ll join you.”
I groaned. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“No, Bear. This is a long time coming.”