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Aric smiled. “We can’t wait to be there with you. Although….”

Brick stilled. “Although? There’s analthough?”

Aric glanced at Seth, who nodded.

Time to tell it like it is.And talking about what lay in their future was way better than thinking about what had happened minutes earlier.

“Well, you see…. Seth and I? Zero interest in topping, which means basically we’re going to work you to death in bed, because it’ll be up to you to satisfy us both.” Aric smiled again. “Don’t worry, though. I’ve been stocking up on multivitamins to give you energy.” When Brick arched his eyebrows, Aric nodded. “Seriously. I gave Crank my shopping list. He thought it was hilarious.”

Brick laughed, something Aric hadn’t heard much of, but what he sensed in Brick was even better. He’d seen it all: the fear, the crippling loneliness, the pain at the loss of his parents. It was as if that bright laughter had broken the chains holding Brick’s heart hostage.

What flowed from Brick was love.

Then Brick’s arms closed around him. “Don’t worry. I’ll fuck you both into a coma every day, and that’s a promise.”

Seth snickered. “He doesn’t know a lot about cats, does he?”

“Apparently not, but now we’re together again? There’s plenty of time for us to learn.”

Brick raised Aric’s chin with his fingers. “But if I can be serious for a minute? This is the last time you pull a stunt like this, kitty. Got me?”

Aric knew what that meant.

He craned his neck to look Brick in the eye. “If it helped you to move on? I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Brick chuckled. “What do I always say? Never underestimate the kitty. And I’m deadly serious.”

“You’re deadly, I won’t argue with that,” Seth murmured.

Brick towered over Aric. “Youwillbe doing therapy.”

It wasn’t a request.

Aric stuck his chin out. “I don’t need it. I’m fine.”See me? You just ripped Fielding apart and I’m still here. I’m not cowering under my blanket.

He was made of strong stuff.

Brick scowled. “That’s bullshit, and you know it. And it’s no use you arguing. This is nonnegotiable.”

“Listen to him.” Seth’s voice was gentle. “You’ll need someone to talk to.”

Brick stared at him. “Excuse me? This involves you too. Both of you will be seeing someone.”

“But we don’tneedto talk to anyone,” Aric protested. “We can talk to you.”

“What he said,” Seth added.

Brick pulled him closer. “Sweetheart, you’re more than welcome to talk to me. Anytime. But I’m not a professional. I’m more of a kill first, ask questions later kinda guy. You need someone who can empathize with you. And I’m not big on empathy.”

“This is such bullshit,” Aric muttered. “I won’t need therapy.”

“And yet you’re gonna do it, and you’ll go into it with an open mind.”

“Why?” he demanded.

Brick slid a finger over Aric’s cheek. “Honestly? Because I think the real you is hidden beneath all this stuff you’ve been dealing with.” He kissed the tip of Aric’s nose. “I love you, and I’ll love you even more once the rest of you shines through.”

Aric knew when to give up a fight. Then he realized he could play this game as well as Brick could. “Then you’re going with us.” He folded his arms. “And like you said, this is nonnegotiable.”