Chapter 20
Flynn
We’d come in, showered together, and exchanged slow, luxurious hand jobs in the steam, and even grabbed a late-night snack before crashing.
I liked how Bailey looked, relaxed and content, like he’d had a night of fantastic sex. I hoped he had, at least. I knew he’d wanted me to take him—had some fantasy of it, even—and was disappointed it hadn’t worked out.
If I knew Bailey, it wouldn’t be long before he made it happen, and I’d love every second of it. But then, I’d love anything with him.
I tugged on a pair of sweats and went to find Aiden. He was in the kitchen, filling a glass with water, when I came out of the hallway.
“Late night,” I said.
He jumped, cursing as a pill tumbled from his hand into the sink. He threw me a quick guilty smile. “Blowing off some steam. You know how it is.”
“I do,” I said seriously.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorjamb while Aiden picked up the pill he’d dropped and placed it on his tongue. He didn’t seem overly drunk, but then Aiden was too responsible to get really blitzed.
He wore clingy black shorts with a bit of shimmer to them and a skintight teal tank top that stopped short of his waistband, exposing a pale sliver of skin.
I’d never seen Aiden dressed for clubbing before. I would have expected him to dress a little less boldly.
“It’s mid-November,” I said. “Aren’t you cold?”
Aiden turned, a chagrined expression on his face as he glanced down. “You know how it is in the club. It’s so hot most of the guys take half their clothes off.”
I raised an eyebrow. I only knew what I’d heard from others. I wasn’t the clubbing type.
“And on the drive home?”
“I blasted the heater.” He smiled tentatively. “I’m all grown up, Flynn. I can take care of myself.”
“I guess you can.”
It was good to see him embrace his sexuality after years of hiding it from his dad and suffering for every “weakness” the man thought he saw in him. After I came out as bi, Bill had accused me of infecting his son.
He was sick, but guilt still twisted in my gut that I’d put him down. He was Aiden’s father.
Aiden glanced past me toward the hall, lips tugging into a smirk. “Looks like I’m not the only one having some fun tonight.”
I turned to see Bailey hovering at the end of the hallway. He wore shorts and a T-shirt, but since the T-shirt was mine, it hung so low it looked like it was the only thing he had on.
Fuck, that was sexy.
“Sorry,” he said, voice soft. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
I held out an arm, and he came to me, slotting right in against my side. “I want you guys to meet, anyway. Bailey, this is Aiden, my brother. And Aiden, this is Bailey, my…”
“Boyfriend,” Bailey supplied with an ease that surprised me, given how he’d wanted to keep it from his brothers.
“I remember you from the coffee shop,” Aiden said. “I had a feeling you two would end up together.”
“Really?” Bailey sounded dubious. “That was before Flynn would look at me twice.”
“Oh, he was looking,” Aiden said with a laugh. “Pretty sure I saw some drool trickle down his chin after you’d turned away.”
Bailey snorted with amusement. “Good to know.”
“Okay, that’s enough bonding for one night.” I thought of the time. “Or early morning. Whatever.” I kissed Bailey’s head. “How about we go back to bed?”
Bailey nodded. “Sure.”
I told Aiden good night and followed Bailey back to the bedroom.
He pulled off the T-shirt, leaving him in only a pair of snug boxer briefs, and climbed into bed.
I stripped down to nothing—I ran too hot to sleep in clothes—and slid between the sheets.
We both lay here, looking at the ceiling, before rolling toward each other.
“Can I…” Bailey whispered.
“I want you close,” I murmured at the same time.
He slung an arm across my stomach, pillowed his head on my chest, and a sense of contentment swelled in me. What would it be like to have this every night? Bailey in my arms, smelling like fresh soap and the faintest hint of motor oil.
Maybe it had embedded itself in his pores. I wouldn’t object. There was something comforting about that familiar scent. I’d always associate Bailey with the auto garage. A memory rose in my mind of his huge smile just after teaching me to use the diagnostic equipment.
“You’ve got it now,” he’d said, beaming. “You don’t need me anymore.”
How wrong he’d been. My stomach had dipped, the urge hitting me to drag him into my arms and taste that beautiful smile.
I’d resisted, stuttering out a response like an awkward fool, but Bailey hadn’t noticed.
I was pretty sure that was the night I first fell in love with Bailey Steele. I didn’t know it for what it was at the time, of course. He was this young, vibrant, talented force who always saw the good in me, and I liked that a little too much.
It soothed my ragged edges and reminded me that I was more than a murderer or an ex-con. That I could have a better future.
I fell asleep with that image of Bailey in my mind, a rising sun in the dreary season my life had become.
When I woke, he was gone, and laughter drifted from the kitchen.
I made my way there, finding him and Aiden sitting at a small dining room table, chatting over coffee like old friends. Their amused looks as I came into the room alarmed me, however.
“What are we talking about?” I asked as I headed for the coffeepot beside the sink. “Not me, I hope.”
Bailey snickered. “Oh, Aiden’s got stories.”
I narrowed my eyes at my younger brother. “I would remind Aiden that I have even more stories. As the older brother, I remember his entire life. And one day soon, he’ll have a boyfriend…”
Aiden scoffed. “Not likely. I’m going to residency next year. I’ll be working nonstop.”
“Around all those cute doctors,” Bailey teased.
Aiden’s lips quirked. “They’ll be my bosses. Hardly a good foundation for romance.”
Bailey and I exchanged a glance while I poured my coffee and came over to the table to join them.
“Uh, are you still my boss, Bailey?” I asked with an awkward chuckle.
He smiled. “In bed? Definitely.”
“Bailey!” I exclaimed, clutching at my throat like a scandalized matron.
Aiden laughed like Bailey was a riot while I turned red.
“You’re a menace,” I growled.
He looked smug. “I know. And no, I’m not your fucking boss. Everyone knows Holden runs the show over there.”
“Still, it’s a family business. You’re part of the family.”
He shrugged. “I guess. Not like they consult me about their plans, though.” He suddenly looked concerned. “Why? Is there a problem with how they’re treating you?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Your probationary period is coming to an end soon, isn’t it?”
Surprise flared, but then, of course, Bailey would remember. He’d trained me, encouraged me, and was more aware of my goals than the other brothers.
“Yeah. Holden hasn’t said anything about it yet.”
Bailey frowned. “You want me to bring it up?”
I winced. “No. Once he finds out we’re dating—”
“Wait,” Aiden interrupted. “He doesn’t know you’re dating?”
“Not yet,” Bailey said. “But we’re going to tell him soon, right? I was thinking maybe the next time I come home for a visit.”
“Yeah?” I asked hopefully. “What changed your mind?”
“Aiden, actually.”
My brother and I exchanged a surprised look.
Bailey shrugged. “I love how open you are with each other. That’s how I always was with my brothers before…”
“Before me,” I said, heart sinking. Had I made Bailey feel he had to hide something?
“No, before school. Before realizing I never should have gone. I was too afraid to tell Holden no. I knew he wouldn’t take it well, and he’s done so much for me.
I thought I could just do this thing for him, and then if I wanted to go home and work in the shop, maybe he would be okay with it, but I’m miserable up here, you know? Everything I want is back in Riverton.”
“Come here.” I tugged him close and hugged him to me. “Holden is going to love you, no matter what. Your family is great, and you’re their favorite. Every single one of them adores you. Why do you think I’m so worried they’ll want to kick my ass for laying a hand on you?”
Bailey shook his head. “Well, I’m a grown-ass man, as my roommate so eloquently put it, so I’ll date whoever I want.”
His phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket and checked the screen. “Speak of the devil…”
My heart lurched. “Holden?”
“All of them,” Bailey said. “After our heart-to-heart, Holden suggested a weekly chat with the fam. I’ll just go take it in the other room, okay? I’d like to tell them about us in person, rather than on a call, unless you really don’t want to wait?”
I considered that. I wanted to tell his brothers. Had wanted that all along. But telling them while we still had bed head after spending the night together? Probably not the best way to break the news.
“In person is good,” I said.
“Okay.”
Bailey retreated down the hall toward the bedroom. I watched him until Aiden made an amused sound. “You’re really gone over him, huh?
I turned back. “Yeah. As you might have gathered, dating him isn’t the smartest choice. If his brothers take it badly, it could be the end of my job. I’m just getting my life on track.”
“Then he must be worth the risk,” Aiden said.
I smiled. “Yeah, I guess he is.”
“Besides, Bailey doesn’t strike me as someone who would stand by and let you lose your job. He’d fight for you.”
I grimaced. “I don’t want it to come to that. He and his brothers are tight. If I come between them, it’s game over for all of us.”
Aiden nodded decisively. “Then don’t let that happen, Flynn. He makes you happy. I like that for you.”
I raised my cup and sipped at the coffee, wrinkling my nose. My brother made his coffee so strong it was damn near toxic, but as a med student, I was sure he needed the caffeine.
“I feel a little guilty,” I confessed as I went to the refrigerator to pull out creamer. My brother had a cinnamon dolce flavor that he’d drowned his own cup in. I added a few splashes.
“Because of Bailey’s brothers?” Aiden asked.
“No.” I paused. “Well, yes, but that’s not what I mean right now. I mean, I feel guilty that you lost a boyfriend because of my history, and now I’m bringing Bailey here. It’s not fair.”
“A lot of shit we’ve gone through isn’t fair,” Aiden said. “Does Bailey know?”
I nodded. “I couldn’t start something without telling him.”
“Well, you could. A lot of people would,” Aiden said. “You did your time. You don’t have to keep wearing your guilt like a second skin.”
“I do, though,” I said quietly. “It’s not a second skin; it’s in my cells. It’ll never leave me.”
“Flynn,” Aiden said, voice pained, eyes dark. “You saved me.”
“I know,” I said. “It’s the only silver lining in all this. Seeing you living your life. Becoming a freaking doctor. I’m so damn proud of you.” I laughed a little. “Wearing booty shorts.”
Aiden groaned. “Never gonna live that down, am I?”
I smiled, so dang happy tears sprang to my eyes. “Nope. You’re living your best life, and that life includes booty shorts. We must acknowledge how far we’ve come.”
Aiden laughed, the sound musical. “And you have a gorgeous boyfriend. Times really have changed.”
I sighed. “Yeah, I guess they have. I just want the same for you. Don’t bring my baggage into your life if you don’t have to,” I said. “Let a guy choose you because you’re amazing.”
“Your baggage is my baggage, Flynn. Don’t you see that? A guy can’t really love me unless he knows that my older brother is my fucking hero. End of story.”
“I’m not a hero,” I said, turning to place my cup in the sink.
Aiden’s gratitude for my intervention was understandable, but I’d done a terrible thing. I didn’t deserve praise for it.
“Maybe you don’t see it that way, but I do,” Aiden persisted.
“Me too.”
Bailey had just returned, phone held loosely in his hand. “I don’t fall for bad guys, Flynn. That means you must be good.” He tapped his chest. “I know what’s in here. So does Aiden.”
“I knew I liked him,” Aiden said, sounding satisfied.
I sighed. “With two on one, I can’t possibly win this argument.”
“Good.” Bailey came over and went on his tiptoes. He smacked a kiss to my cheek. “Because you’re wrong, honey pie.”
“Honey pie?” I said as Aiden laughed.
“No good?” Bailey asked, a teasing glint in his eye.
“Why the hell not?” I said with a laugh. It was a hell of a lot better than Dozer, anyway.
I wasn’t sure if Bailey and Aiden getting to know each other was the best thing ever or a really bad idea. But the way they exchanged smiles made my heart light.
Maybe this really would all work out. Me and Bailey, dating. Telling his brothers. Keeping my job.
It could just be Bailey’s hand slipping down to caress my ass as soon as Aiden left the room, but for once, I couldn’t see any storm clouds on the horizon.
Only the sunshine in Bailey’s sweet smile.