Morgan
He woke up to empty arms. He reached out for Ruby’s warmth, or even Blue, but all he found were cold sheets. Pulling himself from the bed, he heard Ruby scolding Blue from the kitchen.
“I’m not going to mess with your breakfast. If you’re hungry, you need to waddle that cute butt of yours to your dad.”
He slowed, listening as cupboards opened and drawers shut, before liquid was poured. The smell of coffee wafted around him.
“I know you look cute and still have adoring puppy eyes, no need to continue torturing me.”
Morgan relaxed against the entryway, adoring the way that Ruby seemed to have slotted herself right into his life.
“Oh,” Ruby said when he stepped past Blue and into the kitchen. “Good morning.”
A smooch to his cheek was all she had for him so when she took a step away, he hauled her back in for more. He grabbed her neck, claiming her lips first before trailing along her jaw to her ear. With a nip to her earlobe, he growled, “That is the kind of good morning I want.”
“I guess I’ll have to sleep over more often.”
“You’d better.” He drowned her in another kiss, lips moving over hers and tongue demanding to taste her. “When are you leaving me?”
“In an hour—I was hoping to have breakfast with you after my shower.”
“Perfect start to my day. Why don’t you hop in that shower, and I’ll get the breakfast started?”
With a kiss to his cheek, she vanished from his arms, her feet seeming to bounce on the tiles as she disappeared down the hallway. Pulling on a hoodie, he took Blue for his morning walk before starting on breakfast.
He went for something simple: French toast with some bacon and scrambled eggs. He was setting the table when Ruby’s footsteps padded back into the kitchen.
“That looks wonderful.”
“Ah, don’t throw the praise before you have even tried it. When will I see you again?” he asked as they sat down.
“Well… I won’t have another day off until Christmas, and have two commissions I have to finish up.”
“What if I offered you a warm bed, a quiet space to work, and a hot meal?”
“Sounds like five-star service to me.”
“I won’t ask much of you, I just find myself enjoying your company.”
“I don’t want to disappoint you by not going on exciting dates all the time.”
“I promise you, I won’t be disappointed.”
“Sounds like I have to pack a sleepover bag.”
“Just let me know what nights you want to spend here, and I’ll make sure you’re set.”
Since he’d cooked, Ruby insisted on clearing the table and—far too soon—she had to leave for work. Once Ruby had left him with a rather fuzzy feeling, he called Alexander, who’d asked to meet him at the café.
Two hours later, he was instructing Blue to find his brother. Not long after, Blue halted and was greeted with a “good boy” and a treat.
“I have someone I want you to meet,” Alexander revealed, a stool scraping opposite of the two. “This is my boyfriend, Jack.”
Morgan barked a laugh before he could school his surprise, offering the man a hand. “My condolences on falling for the ugliest of the siblings.”
“Piss off,” Alexander muttered but Jack didn’t seem to be shy either.
A strong calloused hand slid into Morgan’s and a deep, rumbling voice seemed to vibrate the floors. “From what I have heard, I wouldn’t have stood a chance with the other two, so I had to settle.”
“I’m right here,” Alexander grunted.
“Ah sorry didn’t see you there,” Morgan returned sarcastically.
“I like your brother’s sense of humour.”
“Enjoy it while it lasts—it gets old quickly.”
They sat and ordered their drinks before Morgan asked, “Jack, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a carpenter, have my own shop out in Spring.”
“And how did my lovely brother lure you into his trap?”
“Very romantically through a dating app.”
Morgan turned to Alexander, his fingers smoothing over Blue’s fur. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Told you I’m a coward.”
“How long have you known?”
“Always, I guess. I just always pushed it aside.”
“So is Jack your first boyfriend?”
“Technically, yes… but after Annalena I had a few… casual dates.”
Annalena had been his girlfriend over a year ago. “Well, I’m glad I finally get to meet the real you.” He returned his attention to Jack. “You don’t happen to have pictures of you and Alexander, do you?”
“A few.” He handed over his phone and a moment later, Morgan was scrolling through some pictures that his brother found rather embarrassing.
Jack was a bear of a man, with short blond hair and a matching beard.
“Alex said your girlfriend had all of you out for a fun day on the ice yesterday. I thought he was messing with me.”
“Nope—a blind man on ice skates scrambling for his life. I’m surprised I didn’t make the local news.”
“The videos seemed like you had yourself together quite a bit.”
He handed the phone back and took a sip of his coffee. “If you’re lucky, we might bring you along next time.”
“When are you two going out again?” Alexander asked.
“Not sure. She won’t be off until Christmas, but she might stay over a night or two.”
“So did you get frisky last night?”
Morgan smirked, heat rushing to his cheeks. “A little, but a gentleman doesn’t tell.”
“Oh, please—since when do you not share?”
“Since it got serious, and you can’t be trusted to keep your mouth shut.”
“Fair enough, but I’m sure whatever knot you tied she was into it.”
Jack chuckled and when Morgan cocked his brow he said with an audible grin, “I’ve had the pleasure of working for a few customers in the scene that clearly enjoyed the tying up part.”
“And did it inspire your private life?” Morgan pressed rather curiously.
“Ah, a gentleman doesn’t tell.”
“You don’t happen to be a whisky drinker, do you?”
“I prefer wine.”
“I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“You’re not getting my boyfriend drunk so you can make fun of me!” Alexander argued.
“Says the bastard who nearly choked the first time you found my restraints because you were laughing so hard.”
“Context would be nice. I was laughing at Manuel’s comment about having to tie your woman down so they don’t run from your blind ass.”
They bickered a little longer before Jack excused himself to take a call. Morgan sighed, trying to find the right words, “I’m sorry you felt like you had to hide your relationship from us.”
“It was partially my fault. I was scared to tell you. And yes, I know it was an irrational fear, I just didn’t know how to start.”
“When will you tell Manuel?”
“This week. I might even go by his place tonight.”
“He’s going to be just fine with this.”
“I know. I guess I wanted to be sure and then a few weeks with Jack turned into months and then I was afraid to say it because I’ve kept it a secret for so long.
And he was just so supportive and patient.
I’m not afraid that Manuel’s going to be mad about my bisexuality, but more so the fact that I hid it for so long—and maybe that I told you first.”
“Why don’t you ask him to meet us here?”
Heavy footsteps returned. “Sorry about that.”
“Do you have time to stay a little longer? Morgan suggested that I see if our other brother can join us.”
“My day is all yours.”
Forty minutes later, Alexander stood to greet Manuel and introduce Jack. There was a long pause and tension building before Manuel exploded. “You fucking bastard!”
“Manuel,” Morgan tried to calm.
“How long have you known?”
Oh, he wasn’t talking to Alexander. “For like an hour.”
“You told him before you told me! No wait… How long have you two been dating?”
“Six months.”
“Six fucking months? And here I was like an idiot trying to set you up without a single word from you. You piece of shit,” but judging by Manuel’s light tone, Morgan knew it was all in good faith. “It’s nice to meet you, Jack.”
“Pleasure is all mine.”
Manuel plonked himself into a chair and signalled for the server. “Now, I’m starving for food and gossip—from both of you. Start talking.”