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Troy gestured helplessly. “What am I supposed to do, Oscar? Everything you’ve ever been terrified of just came burstingthrough the door, and now the secret is...well, it’s out unless you come up with some really good excuse that makes him think that’s not the case.”

Oscar frowned. “You think I’d lie to him?”

“I don’t know what someone scared shitless will do when they’re backed into the corner.”

It was a little too late to take it back since Oscar had already pretty much owned up to everything in front of Gabriel. The truth was, there was no lie he could tell that would back him up. Oscar had unconsciously backed himself into the corner. There was no other direction to go, but forward, the secret was out, and now all Oscar could do was find where the pieces lay. He had no idea what was waiting for him back in the apartment, but he knew he didn’t want to lose Troy over it.

Oscar shook his head. “He already knows, and because of a conversation I had with him before I came to your apartment, he already knows who you are.”

“Oh.”

“So, there’s no point in hiding it.”

Troy chewed on that for a minute, and Oscar realized in a rush that he took an absurd amount of relief from that fact. He’d spent so many years keeping his brother from knowing the truth about him. Now that Gabriel knew, the paranoia and fear were useless. Sure, he was still half-panicked about how his brother was going to continue to take the news and if there was any hope in not losing the only family he’d ever had, but God, Oscar was free of his former fear.

Oscar leaned in, taking Troy’s hand. “And I don’t want to lose you over this, okay? I’ve lost you once because of my own stupidity, and I’ve got you back. I don’t want to lose you again just because shit hit the fan.”

Troy looked up, eyes widening. “What?”

“You heard me. Come back inside, please. I’m freaking the fuck out about Gabriel, but that doesn’t mean I want you to go away, and certainly not for good. Whatever happens with Gabriel will happen, but after it’s over, I want you there with me, okay?”

Troy blinked. “You do?”

The tension in Oscar’s chest loosened as he nodded. “Please.”

Troy reached up, stroking Oscar’s cheek. “Okay, just let me park again.”

Oscar smiled, backing away from the car and watching. Despite Troy’s assurance, Oscar had almost been afraid Troy might still gun it and get out of there before the shit splattered him too. Relief and hope rose as he watched Troy back up and drive into a spot, sliding out of his car.

Troy looked him over, shaking his head. “You need to take your meds.”

“That can wait,” Oscar murmured, hobbling his way back to the apartment building.

“I can’t believe you ran down here, you could have called me,” Troy said as they mounted the stairs.

Oscar stopped at his door, blinking as he realized Troy was right. In that new light, his sudden, desperate sprint down the stairs seemed even more dramatic.

“Oh, well, shit,” Oscar huffed.

Troy laughed, reaching up to pull Oscar down into a soft kiss. “It’s sweet. A little dumb since you put yourself through more pain than was necessary, but sweet.”

Oscar melted against the kiss, accepting the warm comfort from Troy. Reaching up, he cupped the back of Troy’s head and pulled him tight against him, taking every bit of pleasure he could. Troy’s smile was still on his face as Oscar backed away, and he felt stronger, a little more prepared for what was to come.

Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped back into the apartment. Surprisingly, Gabriel had listened to Oscar and stayed on the couch. He looked up as the two of them entered, the frown on his brother’s face deepening.

“Okay, are we good now?” Gabriel asked.

Oscar hobbled into the living room, standing before his brother. He hadn’t realized he had something to say until he stared down at him. When he felt Troy approach from behind, though, Oscar realized he knew exactly what he wanted to say.

“Listen,” Oscar said, cutting his brother off before he could interrupt. “You’re right, I have been keeping this from you. I’ve been keeping it from everyone, okay? And I’m sorry, but I’m gay, and I’ve known it for years.”

Gabriel looked between Oscar and Troy, frowning in confusion. “But?—”

Oscar shook his head. “I never planned to tell anyone, to be honest, and I did everything I could to keep it a secret. But, you just...coming in kind of took that away. I suppose I should be happy about it because now I don’t have to hide it anymore. I don’t have to be freaked about people finding out or what they’ll do...what you’ll do.”

“Me?” Gabriel asked, startled.

“Yes, you. You’re the only family I have, Gabriel. I love you to death. You’re my brother, father, and a friend, but this...I’m not letting this get in the way of my life anymore, okay? I lost Troy because I pushed him away over this years ago. I walked away because I was so scared of someone finding out about us that I was willing to leave the best thing I’d ever had behind me.”