Page 38 of Not That Guy

Brenner

“I’m not going anywhere,” I stated firmly, and the relief in Weston’s face broke my heart. He’d lost the person who’d loved him without question, and the other person who should’ve been there for him had failed him. “If you think I care about the opinions of people I’ve never met, you’re wrong.”

The bill was slapped down on the table, and Weston grabbed it. “I’d better get back to the office. Do you want your coffee to go?”

Now it was my turn to play with his fingers. “I didn’t come for the coffee.”

Sparks fired the gold in his green eyes until they blazed. “You are so gonna get lucky tonight.”

I squeezed his fingers before letting him go. “I already am.”

At the office we separated, and I spent the next hour at my computer, filling out my case notes. It had been a rough deposition for the client, and I could only hope that the children wouldn’t suffer. My cell phone rang, and seeing it was Bill, I gladly took the break.

“Hey, how’re you doing?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Bill said, unusually subdued, which startled me.

“What’re you talking about?”

“I been thinkin’ about your boyfriend. He’s the son of the potential president. Are you sure you’re ready for your life to be exposed in the newspaper and television?”

Thinking of the scene in the coffee shop, I gripped my phone tighter. “I don’t pay attention to gossip. And neither should you.”

“It’s got nothin’ to do with gossip. It’s a lot to handle for someone you don’t know.”

“What makes you think I don’t know him? We went to school together, and we’ve reconnected.”

“ Mmmhmm .” Bill didn’t sound convinced.

“Listen.” An idea popped into my head. “Why don’t you come up for a visit this weekend? Meet Weston, and you can see for yourself.”

“Ahh, I don’t know. I haven’t been in the city in years, and—”

“And it’s about time you did. I can’t take time off to come visit this year with the new partnership.” I used my most persuasive voice. “C’mon, Dad. I haven’t seen you since Christmas, and that was over six months ago. I’d really like you to meet Weston.”

“I’m no fancy guy. You know that.”

“He’s just a regular guy, like us.”

Bill snorted. “Yeah, with a coupla hundred million in the bank and a father who might be president.”

“Trust me,” I assured him grimly. “Weston is nothing like his father.”

**

“Are you sure he’s okay with us?” Weston and I waited at the arrivals gate at JFK. Friday evenings were crowded as usual, and of course the plane was delayed, which only made Weston more nervous.

“Yes. I told you. His concern isn’t that I’m with a man. It’s more how the relationship will affect me because of your father…and all your money.”

Brow puckered, West frowned. “I can’t do anything about that.

” He grew agitated, but then his shoulders slumped.

“I don’t throw away my money or live some crazy, lavish lifestyle.

” At my steady stare, he crossed his arms. “What should I do, Bren? Give up my mother’s apartment and go live in a one-bedroom?

Not accept the trust fund my family set up for me? That’s ridiculous, and you know it.”

“I’m not saying that. But he does remember seeing you and your Mercedes and hearing you talk about your fabulous vacations.

” Bill had always insisted on driving me up to school after summer break or winter vacation, so inevitably, he’d run into Weston.

And my digs about him didn’t help, so his opinion wasn’t crafted from thin air.

“Again, nothing I can do about it now.” Worried eyes met mine. “Is he going to hold that against me?”

“There he is.” I waved to Bill, who pulled a small carry-on behind him. “We’ll find out soon enough. Bill,” I called out, and he broke out into a big smile. “Don’t worry about it. He’ll love you.”

But I could see Weston’s concern in how he didn’t respond with his usual snarky reply. I grabbed Bill in a bear hug, grateful to feel his strong arms around me. The smell of his Old Spice aftershave mixed with Irish Spring soap was like coming home.

“How you doin’, kiddo? You’re lookin’ good.”

“I’m great. You remember Weston? West, this is my dad, Bill.”

“How are you, sir?” Weston shook his hand. “Good to see you after all these years.”

“A surprise for sure. Nice to see you too.”

“I have a car waiting for us in the garage. Why don’t I take your suitcase, and you and Brenner can catch up.”

Knowing the loss of his relationship with his father was never far from his mind, I could see how West wanted Bill to like him, and it only made me love him harder.

When we’d settled into the car, Bill clasped his hands and gazed from me to West, who shifted, uncharacteristically nervous. “So tell me about yourself. When did you realize you were interested in Brenner?”

I coughed. “Damn, nothing like getting right to the point. You couldn’t have waited until we got home?”

“It’s okay, I don’t mind answering.” Weston huffed out a sigh. “I’m not sure. Maybe the reason I came at him so hard when we were in school together was because I was fighting an attraction I wasn’t even aware of.”

That explanation startled me. “You…were?”

Weston’s eyes crinkled with his smile. “I’ve been thinking that might be the case.

But you wanted nothing to do with me, so I guess it worked a little too well.

To answer your question, last year, we were at the same conference, and things just…

happened. When Brenner joined the firm, neither of us intended for a recurrence, but he got hurt and…

” He shrugged and met my eyes tenderly. “I realized what I was feeling wasn’t merely concern for his health.

” Facing Bill with an earnest, determined expression, Weston leaned forward.

“I know you have concerns because we’re different.

I come from money and a family with political power.

But because of that I’m very aware of how the game is played, and I promise I will do anything and everything I can to protect Brenner. ”

The conversation about me was annoying. “Excuse me, but I’m a grown man who can take care of himself. I don’t need you to speak for me or protect me.”

“Hold up, kiddo. I get what he means.” Bill regarded Weston thoughtfully. “How do you plan to do that? Your father is a senator. He might be president. I’m sure he’s not happy about your relationship with Brenner.”

“My father only cares about his image. He’s been hiding his affairs with women for years.” Weston’s lip curled. “If he so much as tries anything to hurt Brenner, I’ll go to the press and tell them everything I know.”

I took his hand. “Don’t. If you do that, there’s no coming back. You and your father will never reconcile.”

Weston said nothing for the rest of the ride to his apartment.

A long, low whistle escaped Bill when we walked inside. “Park Avenue. Fancy stuff.”

Now that he was home, Weston was more relaxed and kicked off his sneakers. “It’s the same four walls to make a room as anywhere else. The people are what makes it special.”

Bill’s eyes dimmed. “My wife useta say something like that.”

I squeezed his shoulder. “Are you hungry? I can order whatever you’d like. Tomorrow we’ll go out for a real diner breakfast like we used to.”

“Nothin’ like it. And you don’t gotta entertain me.” He walked through the rooms, admiring the apartment. “You got a nice place here, but shouldn’t I check into my hotel before they give my room away?”

“No way,” Weston called out from the kitchen, returning with three bottles of beer. “I have a second bedroom. You’ll stay here.” He handed them out.

“I-I couldn’t. That wouldn’t be right.”

“Says who?” With a wink, Weston tipped his bottle to us.

“Besides,” I added in. “I didn’t reserve a room. I wanted you to stay here with us.”

Weston nodded vigorously. “We can order a pizza, and I’m sure Bill will want an early night, but tomorrow I’ve got tickets to the Mets game. Right behind home plate.”

“Wow, uh, that’s nice of you. I never been in one of them.”

I handed Bill the remote. “Make yourself comfortable.” And left him happily reuniting with all his old stations. “West, can you help me in the kitchen for a sec?” West trailed after me, and I faced him once we were alone and out of earshot. “What’re you doing?”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m being nice. Why is that a problem?”

I put a hand on his arm. “No, of course not. But you don’t have to throw all these expensive things at him. Just be you.”

He slipped his arms around my waist. “That thing you said in the car? About never being able to reconcile with my father? That ship has sailed.”

I kissed his cheek. “Are you sure?”

“I tried so hard to be the son he wanted when I was young. I wanted to be just like him. Until I saw who he really was, and then I wished I’d never met him.” His cheek rested against mine. “I don’t have a father anymore.”

“What about your sister?” The little girl was the real reason Weston had tried at all.

“Paige texted me that she’ll let me talk to Emily and see her.” He smirked. “Seems Emily hasn’t stopped talking about our visit.”

“So maybe it’s me, not you.”

“Well, you are pretty cute,” Weston teased. “And sweet.” He kissed me. “And don’t forget sexy.” He kissed me again. “So, so sexy.”

I let him nuzzle my neck and rubbed my cheek to his, reveling in the raspy skin. “Just be yourself with Bill. I fell for the Weston you are right now, not that guy who once thought he needed to show off who he is. Your star already shines bright.”

“But I told him about the game.”

“I know, and he’ll love it. Are you sure you want to go out in such a public arena? The press might be up in our faces.”

His smile was grim. “I refuse to live life hiding in shadows. I’m not ashamed of being with you.”

Damn, I was a lucky guy.

“But let’s have hot dogs and junk food at Citifield, not some fancy dinner in a stuffy restaurant.”

He kissed me hard, leaving me breathless. “Anything you want.”

**