Page 73 of Killer Honeymoon
Topher stopped by his truck and ran his hand through his hair. “Um, there’s this guy I know. I’ve known him for a while, but I’ve recently started seeing him differently.”
Royce rocked back on his heels, entirely blindsided by the direction their conversation was taking. He’d only known Topher to date women, which Royce knew meant nothing.
“I guess I’m questioning some things or maybe just realizing some things,” Topher said quietly. He dropped his gaze to the ground and scraped a pebble back and forth across the concrete with his booted foot. After a minute, he stilled and lifted his head to meet Royce’s gaze. “How’d you know it was right to pursue your attraction to Sawyer?”
Royce considered the magnitude of what Topher was asking. His typical smartass answer wouldn’t work here, so he spoke from the heart. “It felt like I got struck by a bolt of lightning when I met Sawyer.” His chest tightened like it had that day, and he took a deep breath. “I’d known for quite some time I was attracted to men, but I’d never given myself permission to act on the attraction until Sawyer.” Royce smiled as he recalled those first tumultuous weeks and the unnecessary anguish he’d put himself through. “But nothing had ever felt so right in my life.”
Toph nodded and rubbed his chest like he was experiencing similar angst just then. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”
Dolly wiggled a little bit but didn’t try to get down. She wanted to rest her head on Royce’s shoulder. Once she resettled, he turned his attention back to Topher. “Is this an attraction you can safely explore?”
Topher shook his head vehemently. “No freaking way. This guy has had a crush on me for a long time, and I don’t want to mislead him. I can’t get his hopes up and not…um, be able to follow through.”
“Toph, do you think it would be better to ask yourselfwhat iffor the rest of your life?”
The big, lionhearted guy groaned and rubbed his chest. Royce figured his gesture was more telling than a verbal answer. Whoever this guy was, he had Topher tied in knots. Royce knew the emotion all too well.
“That’s another thing I’m worried about,” he admitted. “I’m afraid of hurting someone who means a lot to my family…and me. I’m also terrified of ignoring the way he makes me feel.”
“All you ever owe anyone is the truth, Toph. Talk to the guy. Let him know how you feel. See where it leads you.”
Topher released a long shaky breath. “You make it sound so easy. He’s my little sister’s best friend. God, she’d kill me if I hurt him.”
Royce reached over and patted the big man’s shoulder. “Living a lie or a half-truth will kill you quicker. Think about it.”
“Thanks, Ro.”
“Anytime, Toph. Thanks for taking such good care of our boy.” Royce ran a hand over the tiny dog’s back. “And for Dolly.”
Topher laughed. “You have Bones to thank for her.”
After Topher pulled away, Royce and Dolly climbed into the SUV and moved it into the garage. He needed to drag all the suitcases out of the back, but if he did, Sawyer would insist they unpack immediately and start laundry, so he left everything in the car instead.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” he told Dolly before dropping a kiss on her head. The little dog licked his chin as if she understood and cosigned his scheme.
When he returned to the living room, Sawyer was on the floor with Bones in his lap. Their big beast was purring up a storm, rubbing his head against Sawyer’s scruffy chin and making chattering noises like he did whenever he saw a particularly juicy bird.
“You were so brave,” Sawyer said, stroking his sleek fur.
Bones snapped his head up when he heard Royce approach. He abandoned Sawyer’s lap and strutted over to Royce, wanting to claim his accolades too.
“This is much better than when you killed a mouse and left the carcass by my side of the bed,” Royce said when he lowered himself to the floor next to Sawyer. He carefully handed Dolly to Sawyer so they could bond, then patted his lap for Bones to repeat the head rub and chattering session.
“What are we going to do with Dolly while we work?” Royce asked.
“The same thing we’ll have to do when we have babies. Daycare.” Sawyer looked at the tiny dog’s face and smiled. “Isn’t that right, Dolly?”
Meow.
“Bones wants his say,” Royce said.
“Bones can have a say as soon as he contributes to the household budget and pays for whatever Dolly tears up.” Sawyer looked at their feline. “The money is coming out of your treat budget.”
Bones grumbled and ran to his ginormous cat tree.
Royce reached over and stroked Dolly. “And that’s Bones saying, ‘You’re on your own, kid.’”
Sawyer chuckled and kissed the little dog’s head. “Don’t listen to him, Dolly. You have two daddies and a big brother now.”