Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
NORTH CAROLINA
B ryson found Kaydon in the weight room. The soft lighting bounced off the mirrors, giving Kaydon a glow that Bryson thought made him look angelic. Bryson would have laughed if it wasn’t for the seriousness of their impending conversation.
Hiding in the doorway, Bryson sank out of Kaydon’s view, choosing to watch him. Kaydon was supposed to be his brother Luca’s Right Hand. In many ways their relationship was directly correlated with Luca’s death.
If Luca hadn’t died in that car wreck, Bryson and he would have never happened. Bryson didn’t think about a higher power very often. Probably because he was too busy relying on himself, but things like that made him think.
If he ever met God, that would be the first thing he thanked him for. Right before punching him in the mouth for all the things he wasn’t thankful for.
“I can hear you,” Kaydon said, finishing up an RDL set.
“I wasn’t making any sounds.”
Kaydon laughed, “Like hell. You’re biting your nails.”
Bryson scowled .
Kaydon continued his set, and Bryson moved into the room.
His brother was blessed with the ability to build muscle, where Bryson just built tone. Sometimes he was jealous, but other times, like now, he just enjoyed the view.
“Look, I’m not very good at this,” Bryson said, glancing down at the rubber floor.
Kaydon dropped the weights and turned toward him. He was wearing black jersey shorts and no top, sweat pooling on his chest.
Kaydon said, “Take it up with Seth. He’s the one you owe an apology to.”
“I think your right eye would disagree,” Bryson said, pointing to the bluish tinge.
“Seth’s allowed to be mad. I just have to deal with it.”
“Who said that?” Bryson snapped.
Kaydon pointed to the snowflake with the snake on the right side of his neck, next to the letters BJR .
Owe.
It meant he owed Bryson. It wasn’t a favor that could be paid back. It was a lifetime debt.
Bryson swallowed. He remembered the day Kaydon got that tattoo.
“Fuck that. You are more to me than that, and you know it.”
Kaydon picked up the weights again.
“Do you know how confusing it is to be thankful my brother died?” Bryson asked into the room full of mirrors that forced him to take a hard look at himself.
Kaydon stopped mid rep.
“The thing is, I can’t imagine Luca alive. Not because I don’t want him to be, but because I cannot imagine my life without you.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing. I was never meant to lead this family,” Bryson said, a pain welling up in his chest. “I think it’s pretty clear I’m not cut out for this shit.”
“I think that’s the first real thing you’ve said in years,” Kaydon said, staring in the mirror.
Bryson rubbed his face. “Gee, thanks.”
Kaydon said, “I mean it. You’re always making jokes and cutting loose. You don’t take anything seriously. And I get it. Your dad is…a piece of work. But if you want people to take you seriously, you have to take yourself seriously.”
Bryson listened as Kaydon went on, “I wish for once when you looked in the mirror, you could see what I see.”
Bryson looked at his reflection.
The Nine and their heirs were required to wear a family ring.
One.
Bryson had eight. Not by accident. It was clear he wanted to be seen.
He was a joke.
Bryson looked down at his feet. When he looked back up, Kaydon was right behind him.
Kaydon pulled Bryson into him. A firm, steady presence. His broad chest pressing against Bryson’s back, and Bryson let himself lean into it.
Their bodies fit together like they were meant to.
Like they had always been meant to.
“You are better than your father. Don’t you see it?” Kaydon said.
Their reflections stared back at them; two figures caught in the dim light.
Bryson’s voice came low. “No.”
Kaydon tightened his arms around him, pressing closer, his warmth sinking into Bryson’s skin. “But you trust me, right?”
Bryson swallowed, and let his eyes flutter shut. Kaydon’s scent filling him, grounding him, steady and real.
His voice was a whisper. “With my everything.”
Kaydon exhaled, his breath warm against Bryson’s ear. “Then believe me when I say I see it.”
Kaydon’s grip tightened, holding Bryson in place like he could anchor him there.
“Seth and I would both follow you into hell.” Kaydon’s voice was steady, no hesitation. “That’s not by accident. That’s because of who you are. Not your father. You.”
Kaydon’s chin rested against Bryson’s shoulder.
“And when you decide it’s time to show more people the real you?—”
He paused, letting the words settle between them.
“Not the mask you put on.”
Bryson’s fingers curled into Kaydon’s arms, holding onto him, needing him to keep standing.
“They’re gonna see it, too.”
Bryson barely breathed as he whispered into the room, “I’m sorry, Kay.”
Kaydon didn’t hesitate. He spun him around, pressing close, tilting Bryson’s chin up so their lips were barely touching.
Kaydon’s voice came low, a smile in his tone. “Obviously.”
Then, he kissed him.