Page 37 of Not That Guy

Weston

Even having to sidestep the photographers camped outside my apartment building, shouting questions about my sex life, I was in a damn good mood.

The ugly confrontation with my father had faded away, replaced by the absolute perfection of having Brenner there with me all weekend.

I strolled into my office alone, Brenner and I continuing to arrive separately so as not to raise suspicion.

After our talk, neither of us had been able to sleep, so Brenner had gone home to change, and I’d decided to come to the office early.

I’d assured Daniel that our relationship would have no impact on the firm, and I intended to keep that promise.

Yawning, I pushed open the door to my office, only to be greeted by Grady sitting at my conference table, a cup in his hand and a grin on his face.

“Well, well. Good morning, sunshine. How the hell are you, or do I even need to ask?”

I plucked the coffee out of his hand. “Thanks. And things have only gotten better since we last spoke.” I set my bag on the desk and sank into the chair. I took a sip of the coffee and almost died. “What the hell is this shit?”

“Turkish coffee. Drink up. It’ll put hair on your chest and keep you up all night.” His eyes twinkled. “Although maybe Brenner takes care of that?”

I handed him his cup. “My chest is hairy enough, and I’m not hearing any complaints from Brenner, thank you very much.” I smirked and got busy with my coffee machine.

“You two had a good weekend, I presume? No other repercussions from the meeting with your father?”

My good mood faded. “I wouldn’t exactly call it a meeting.

More like a clash. He thinks I’m with Brenner to sabotage his run for the presidency.

” I snorted. “I haven’t let my father influence my decisions in any part of my life since I was fifteen and caught him cheating on my mother when she had just been diagnosed with cancer. ”

“Good,” Grady said, serious. “Brenner is a really good guy, and I’d hate to see him hurt.”

That stung. “Hey, what the hell does that mean? I’m a nice fucking guy too, you know. Why would I want to hurt him?”

“I’m not saying you do. But you like to party, always up for fun and games. Brenner’s quiet. He’s the guy who never fit in.”

“He fits with me. I know you don’t get it, and frankly, neither do we, but the two of us…

we work. I couldn’t have faced my father if Brenner wasn’t there with me.

But I hate having to duck and run from photographers all the time.

And it’s not fair to Brenner. He didn’t sign up for this.

” I pressed my lips together until they hurt.

“But I’d run through fire to make sure he doesn’t ever feel less than wanted again. ”

“You’re crazy about him.” There was no question. Grady knew.

“I fucking love him. I’m not afraid to say it.”

“You’ve told him?”

I took a sip of coffee. “Yeah. This morning. We said it to each other. But I gotta tell you…it’s almost like something I was waiting for. It happened so easily between us, maybe it was always there and we weren’t in the position or mindset to recognize it.”

Grady shrugged and finished his vile cup of death. “Sexuality is fluid, always changing. I’m proud of you two for accepting what I could see from the beginning.”

Someone knocked on my door.

“Come in.”

Brenner walked in but stopped when he saw Grady. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Grady was giving me the third degree about us.”

“Hey,” Grady protested. “No way. I think it’s great. And I called it right away.”

Brenner’s face was red, which was cute. That shy uptick of his lips and the way he ducked his head? Adorable. And mine. Damn, I had it bad. No one but Brenner had ever brought out that possessive side of me.

And I liked it. I caught Grady’s eyes on me, and scowled at the shit-eating grin on his face. Dammit . I’d better brush up on my poker face.

“I just wanted to say hello. I have a mediation to prep for, so I’ll see you later.”

“Lunch?” I called out.

“Can’t,” he answered with regret. “I have depositions downtown. Dinner?”

“Of course.”

Brenner left, and Grady clapped. “I’m impressed. That was a master class in how to have a mature relationship with someone you work with.”

“Oh, be quiet. Don’t you have work to do?”

“Yeah, but this is more fun.” He snickered, and I flipped him off. “Since your man is busy for lunch, how about me? I don’t mind being second string.”

“Deal.”

Grady left, and I sipped my coffee, grateful for a light Monday. My personal cell rang, and it was Isobel. I rolled my eyes in anticipation of a third, fourth, and fifth degree.

“Hello, Izzy.”

“Hello to you too.” She sounded amused. “When were you going to tell me?”

I scrolled through my emails. “Tell you what, and isn’t it early for you? Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

“I’m in DC for a conference, and the tongues are all abuzz about your father’s campaign. And you.”

I frowned. “You know I have nothing to do with him.”

“That may be true, but everything you do affects him. Never mind that. A man? Since when?”

“I don’t know, Izzy. It just happened.” Frustrated, I tossed the pen I was holding across the desk. “I’m kind of getting sick and tired of having to explain it. Even to you. It’s really no one’s business whom I date or why.”

“Don’t bite my head off. I’m on your side. Have you been getting pushback from the firm? Only because you work together. I can’t imagine Daniel Roth would care. He’s a reasonable man.”

“It’s only been out a week. He and I had a decent talk, and it should be okay. As for how my father will handle it, I neither know nor care.”

Not exactly true. A small, vindictive part of me wanted it to hurt him, but I kept that to myself. It had nothing to do with my relationship with Brenner.

“I didn’t call you just to gossip. I’m your friend, and I wanted to let you know I’m here to support you.”

“Thank you. I didn’t realize it would be such a big deal news-wise, but I suppose I was being na?ve.”

“Um, come on, West. The leading candidate for president’s son starts dating a man during his campaign, and you don’t think it’s news? Especially since his party’s platform isn’t exactly welcoming.”

“I guess, but it shouldn’t be that way. And even if my father and I were on good terms, my life shouldn’t have any bearing on his candidacy.”

“Everything everyone in his life does reflects on him. Even if you’re estranged. Now tell me about Brenner. From what the papers have dug up, he works with you and was a foster child growing up?”

I tensed, hating how Brenner’s life became gossip fodder simply by association with me. “I’d rather not get into it. He’s a very private person, and his life shouldn’t be put under a microscope.”

She laughed. “You really are a Boy Scout. Listen, honey. I know the way this town works. Things can get very ugly. You should be prepared.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’d better get to work.”

“Talk to you soon.”

That conversation stuck with me throughout the morning as I handled a couple of client calls. In the halls, some people gave me the odd stare, and I caught a few smiles and whispers, but I ignored them. These people weren’t my friends.

I had a particularly long and arduous call with a client who’d discovered his wife had been cheating on him for years.

Fearful that their children weren’t his, he wanted to know if he could force a paternity test and the legality of taking his name off their birth certificates.

Add divorce proceedings to the mix, which would entail forensic accounting of their assets, and my brain was a bit fried.

As I’d listened to the client, I was sad for the children.

Did they know what happened? How would they feel knowing the man they’d always thought of as their father could so nonchalantly walk away from them? That was something I easily related to.

I’d been hoping to escape for a cup of coffee and was at the elevator when Manny stopped me.

“Weston, I was looking for you.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” His behavior at the retreat still rankled, and I was polite but wary. “I was about to step out for a moment.”

“Can we talk?”

The doors to the elevator opened. “We can.” Yes, I was a wise-ass, but he’d pissed me off, and I was a bit of a grudge holder. I walked inside, and he followed me.

We arrived at the lobby, and realizing it would be a dick move to walk away from him, I figured to make peace. He was a friend to Brenner and had offered him his support after the story came out. “I’m getting coffee. Want to join me?”

He nodded, and we went to a little diner I liked to slip into when I needed to escape the hustle and crowds. We ordered, and he fidgeted across from me.

“I think I need to apologize.”

“You think?”

He flushed. “Okay. I’m sorry for the way I acted toward you at the retreat. I didn’t know you and Brenner were together but not out.”

“Not that it’s your business, but we weren’t together then.”

Skeptical brown eyes met mine. “You sure acted like you were.”

It was my turn to get red in the face. “Yeah, well…I was concerned about him.”

Manny’s lips curved, and his eyes warmed. “Or more likely, you liked him even then but didn’t want to. Or didn’t know what was happening and how to handle it. I get it.”

I shrugged. “Nothing to get. We’ve worked out our differences.”

Our coffees came, and I took a sip.

“Brenner’s a great guy,” Manny said after a few minutes.

“The best.”

“You know, sometimes parents can change. I know your father’s probably not supportive now, but maybe—”

“But maybe what? That was rhetorical because frankly, I don’t give a damn what he or anyone else thinks of our relationship.

” My patience had worn thin, and I was damn sick and tired of talking about my father and his election.

“Being Brenner’s friend, I’m sure you mean well, but I learned a long time ago that my happiness depends on me.

I’m tired of people thinking my father and I can somehow magically work things out.

We had no relationship before Brenner and I got together, and that’s not going to change. Got it?”

“I think he’s got it.” At the amused voice behind me, I turned in my seat. Brenner stood behind me with a smile and eyes dancing.

“Hey. What’re you doing here?”

“I finished with my depositions, and your paralegal told me you went out for coffee. Figured I’d join you.”

Manny gulped his down. “Here. Take my spot. I gotta get back.” He slid out of his seat and held out a hand to me. “I’m sorry if you thought I was out of line. I’m just very protective of my friends.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it.” I shook his hand. “We all need someone looking out for us.”

Manny and Brenner exchanged a fist bump, and then he sat across from me. “You and Manny?”

“He wanted to apologize for acting stupid when you were hurt.” I gazed into his face. “You look tired. And not from me keeping you up half the night.”

“That kind of missed sleep I don’t mind.” He shifted and murmured, “Although I’m gonna have to get used to…you know…” His cheeks turned pink. “Finding a comfortable way to sit afterward.”

“I know. But the discomfort is worth it, don’t you think?” God, I wanted to reach across the table and hold his hand. Was I being a total sap? Yeah. Did I care? Not one damn bit. So I did it. Only briefly, but it was enough.

Brenner’s eyes grew soft. “Yeah. That kind I don’t mind.”

I hated that he’d had a life filled with so much turmoil. “I don’t ever want to hurt you. I hope you know that.”

Brenner’s brows drew together. “Why do you think you would?”

“I’m just not sure how to do this.” I lowered my voice. “I’ve never been in a relationship. You mean too much to me to fuck up what we have.”

“It’s not going to happen.”

I wished I could be as sure as Brenner. “My father might say some things.…I’m not sure what, but I wouldn’t put it past him to have been in strategy sessions figuring out how to handle the situation.” Brenner’s blue eyes flicked to mine. “Yeah. You and me.”

“I don’t want—”

“If you’re going to say you don’t want our relationship to prevent me from getting closer to my sister, I’m hoping that won’t happen. But don’t for a second think about stepping aside for ‘the greater good.’” I took his hand again. “Because I’m no good without you anymore.”

A camera was thrust in our faces, and before either of us could react, the shutter reeled off snaps. A smarmy face peered over the lens.

“Thanks, guys! You just got me an exclusive and made the front page of the New York Express .” With a wink, he scurried away.

“Fucker,” Brenner spat out and half rose, but I tugged his hand, and he sat.

“Don’t.”

“Why’d you stop me? He shouldn’t be spying on us.”

“No, he shouldn’t.” I clasped my hands. “But this is how it’s going to be until the primaries are finished, and if my father is the nominee, it will only get more intense.

Worse.” I hated to say the words, but as much as I didn’t give a flying fuck what the press or anyone else had to say about Brenner and myself, it wasn’t only up to me.

The one thing I’d learned being in a relationship was that I didn’t come first. Being a couple meant making decisions together.

“I don’t care what people say about me, but I need to know how you feel.

You’re a private person. How do you feel about our relationship being splashed in the news media and gossip columns? ”

Brenner shook his head and gazed at the sticky Formica table. My heart in my throat, I waited for him to respond.