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Chapter twenty-one

Declan

B ringing anyone new to Brannon brunch was a recipe for carnage.

Noah wasn’t necessarily new, but he was nursing the surprise loss of a job. On the way over to my parents’ house, I’d compiled about half a dozen exit strategies if he was getting overwhelmed. I even debated on swinging back around and trying my hand at cooking for today because that was a guaranteed exit strategy.

Everyone in my family had a comment about my cooking. Give people food poisoning…well, maybe five times now? And they seemed to not trust you in the kitchen anymore.

Noah’s shoulders were squared, and his normal goofy smile was absent, which probably meant he was nervous. Whether about the job loss or my family, though, I wasn’t sure. Yet we didn’t have the time to contemplate. All too fast, he pulled right in front of the house I’d grown up in, one he’d also come to thousands of different occasions when we were younger. Six cars glutted the driveway and street parking, which meant we were last to arrive. Not my favorite because it put us at a disadvantage to settle in.

“How are we doing this?” Noah asked.

“Define this.” I tapped my knee.

“The whole coming out as bi thing?. Introducing me as your boyfriend?”

“If my family can’t deduce I’m bisexual by the fact that I brought a boyfriend, I don’t have high hopes for their intelligence. And I’m certain you don’t need an introduction, since they’ve met you before. Come on. Let’s go.” I opened the door and slipped out.

I strode toward the house, but when I looked back, Noah lagged a few paces. I slowed and slipped my hand in his. “Are you ready, or do we need to claim a cat emergency?”

“Do you have a cat I’m unaware of?” Noah asked, some slight amusement in his voice.

“I figured I’d claim I got mauled by a random cat.” I shrugged as we reached the front door. “Last chance to run.”

“Hell no, gorgeous. I’m in this for keeps.” His husky voice sent a shudder through me, and yet again, I could barely believe I’d been missing out on this for so damn long. His hand was sweaty, but I just clutched it harder.

I pushed the door open, and the familiar wall of noise slammed into me. I let it cascade in waves, discerning one voice after another, then stepped in so it was no longer an indistinguishable sound and more familiar, more the people I cared about most. All under the same roof—Noah included.

I nudged the door wider, keeping a firm grasp on Noah’s hand. Mom and Dad were lounging on the couch, and Cor and Felix had taken the love seat. My other siblings must’ve been in the other room because their voices carried in.

Mom’s gaze landed on our joined hands first. “Well, damn. Looks like we have a full set.”

“Hunh?” Dad asked.

“Of queer kids, Henry. Now pay up.” Mom’s eyes glinted with amusement, and I shook my head. Of course they had a bet going.

Dad stared at me and then at Noah. “Well, I’ll be damned. Noah Langston?”

“In the flesh,” he joked, even though there was a slight wobble in his voice.

“I’m glad you brought him,” Cor said.

Warmth settled inside me at the way my family welcomed Noah. Not like I thought they’d be any different, just that they might overwhelm him.

“Wait, Declan brought someone?” Rory called as he walked into the living room. He stopped and stared. Then stared some more and tugged on the brim of his backward cap. “Holy fuck, Declan. Noah’s hoooot. Also, when the hell were you into guys? Why did you keep this from me?”

I blinked and blinked again, but Noah was still holding my hand and not running away, so that was a bonus. “This is a recent development, so I wasn’t keeping anything back.”

“Wait, Declan’s dating a guy?” Aislin almost crashed into Rory as she raced into the room. “Oh, hey, Noah.” She cocked her head to the side. “Shit, wait, Noah?”

“Declan’s dating a guy, and Noah’s visiting?” Ollie asked as he and Liam joined the rest of my siblings in crowding this room far too fast. I was about ready to duck out of the limelight. I hated it.

“Nah, babe.” Liam elbowed Ollie. “Declan’s dating Noah. ”

“Does anyone else want to share some groundbreaking news today?” Rory asked with unnecessary arm flailing.

“I wouldn’t call it groundbreaking,” Mom said. “I always assumed if Declan found the right person, he wouldn’t be restricted by gender.”

“Well, why didn’t you share that information with your beloved children?” Rory plunked down on the side of the couch next to Mom.

“Probably because she knew you’d be dramatic about it,” I said.

“Welcome to the circus, Noah,” Felix said with a shit-eating grin.

“Mmm, I’ve been around this brand of chaos for years,” Noah said. “Doesn’t scare me too much.”

“How did this happen, though?” Liam glanced between Ollie and me. “Are all the Brannon men just incredibly dense when guys are hitting on them?”

“Don’t lump me in with them,” Cor called out.

“Or me,” Rory said. “I make my intentions very clear.”

“Nah, you just send dick pics on Grindr.” Aislin found a spot to lean against the wall. “That’s not clear communication.”

“Are we going to eat or talk about Rory’s unimpressive dick for the next hour?” I walked toward the dining room.

Mom popped up from her seat. “I will do just about anything to escape a conversation about my son’s dick, thanks.”

“You’re not used to this by now, Mary?” Dad teased and headed over along with us.

“Oversharing is caring,” Ollie sang.

“Except it’s not.” Liam elbowed him in the side as they followed us.

Ollie clapped a hand on Noah’s shoulder, and we both stopped. I refused to let go of his hand. Not with this bunch.

“Noah, are you able to pick up any side jobs? We’re getting more requests for mason work, and we don’t have anyone who specializes.”

A grin spread on my lips. “What did I tell you?” I muttered to him .

Any hesitation in Noah’s features melted away, and my gorgeous man lit up like a supernova. “Well, about that. I just quit working with Brandon, so I’ve got a wide-open schedule.”

“Asshole was taking advantage of him.” I stepped in, mostly because Noah would never badmouth him.

Ollie’s brows drew together. “I’m not surprised. You can do a whole lot better than Brandon. I won’t bog you down here, but tomorrow, give me a call, and we’ll talk.”

I squeezed Noah’s hand, relief pouring through me. While I did think he could do better than his old employer, I understood the stress of sudden unemployment and curveballs. That could be a different brand of hell, and the fact that Noah had unprompted gotten an offer from my brother—fuck. I trusted that Ollie and Cor would treat him fairly, far better than his old boss.

“Thanks, Ollie,” Noah said. “I definitely will.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss against the side of my head. “Don’t think I missed you smugly beaming over there,” he murmured.

“Clearly, I’m a monster for being happy my boyfriend has job prospects.” I led us to the big dining room table laden with food. “Are you sure you guys didn’t—”

“No one wants you to bring food, Declan,” Cor said, bypassing me as he and Felix found their seats. “We value our stomachs. Just bring a case of beer next time.”

“Beer for breakfast? Sounds good to me.” Rory plonked into his usual spot.

I gunned for mine but stopped. Right, I had an extra person with me today. “Let me grab you a seat.”

“Already done.” Mom dragged a chair to us and nudged it next to my spot. Her eyes warmed as she scanned me over. “I’m thrilled for you, sweetheart. ”

“Glad we’ll be seeing a lot more of you, Noah.” Dad cut into the cinnamon rolls.

I settled into my seat, letting go of Noah’s hand, even though I was loath to do so. He sank into his and leaned forward, chatting with Cor like he’d been sitting around this table the whole time. Granted, he had known our family for ages, so his comfort wasn’t an extreme leap.

The past few years had brought changes, which were usually the bane of my existence.

Ollie’s wife leaving the picture and Liam entering. Felix joining the fray with Cor. And now Noah sitting in a spot I’d believed deep down would forever remain empty. After all, I struggled enough to find people who accepted me outside my family as is, and finding someone who loved me felt like an unrealistic goal.

Except Noah just did. We complemented each other in the most perfect way, and I didn’t think I’d find that again in this lifetime.

Which meant I had to keep him.

However, the shifts had also let me view other areas in my life where I could grow and change. And if Noah could find a new and better career, I could too. Because I hadn’t been lying when I’d told him we were in this together.

“So, out of all the people out there, why Noah?” Aislin asked me, keeping her voice lower. “You’ve never brought anyone home before.”

I shrugged and glanced at him for a second. He was in the middle of a conversation with Cor, his blue eyes bright, his hands outspread, and a massive grin on his face, the same one that used to irritate me. He paused for a second, and our gazes met. The softness in his eyes, the intensity—I’d never found it with another soul.

Fuck, I loved him.

I looked back at Aislin. “He sees all of me. It’s as simple as that.”

And truly, it was.