Page 1 of A Matter of Fact

CHAPTERONE

RHYS HATES SEBASTIAN’S SINK

Rhys’s brother had a copper sink in his bathroom.

Of all the absurd fuckery and ostentatious buffoonery Rhys had ever seen in his entire life, Sebastian’s copper sink had to take the cake.

He closed the door to the bathroom and found his brother in the kitchen, mixing up a tray of vodka drinks.

“I’m replacing the sink,” he said, drawing an eye roll out of Sebastian.

“This isn't your condo,” Sebastian countered.

“I live here.”

“Because I said you can.” Sebastian twisted the cap back onto a nearly empty bottle of vodka and pushed it toward the backsplash.

“Right. And now you’re in the condo you’ve so graciously allowedmeto live in, drinkingmyvodka and dirtyingmycrystalware.” Rhys gestured at the tray with three neatly made drinks spaced across it. He flicked the lime slice garnish off the one closest to him and Sebastian swatted at his hand.

“Fine,” Sebastian muttered. “Whatever.”

“Why do you care?” he asked, shrugging and watching his younger brother carefully lift the tray from the countertop. “Are you planning on coming back?”

“What? No.” Sebastian’s brow furrowed and he turned away.

He walked right into the living room—Rhys’s living room—where Sebastian’s boyfriend, Remington, sat on the couch, one lanky leg casually crossed over the other.

“Then I’m changing it out,” he said, following Sebastian and taking a seat in a chair opposite the couch.

“Changing what?” Remington asked.

Sebastian handed Remington a drink and sat beside him on the couch, perched near the edge.

“The sink in the master bath,” Sebastian answered.

“That copper monstrosity? Good.” Remington laughed.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s just…” Remington gave Sebastian a soft smile, so affectionate and fond it made Rhys’s chest ache. “It’s not authentic.”

“It’s real copper,” Sebastian protested.

“He means it’s not you,” Rhys huffed, picking up one of the drinks since Sebastian obviously was not going to offer him one. “He means the copper sink is not authenticto you.”

“Exactly.”

“I like the sink,” Sebastian grumbled, sliding back against the couch and leaning into Remington’s side.

“I’ll have contractors remove it with the utmost care and deliver to Remington’s apartment for your enjoyment then.” Rhys smirked.

“Not necessary,” Remington said quickly. Sebastian pouted, and Remington patted his knee. “You know it’s abhorrent.”

“Whatever.” Sebastian poured half of his drink down his throat. “Enough about my sink, let’s talk about the elephant.”

Rhys’s lashes fluttered as he inhaled.

“I don’t want to talk about Callahan,” he said, frowning at the mention of his ex-boyfriend.