by Clancy Nacht
“Hush. I forgive you.” Edwin yanked Thoreau closer and settled his arm around his younger brother’s shoulders, giving him a sideways hug. “Now then. Let’s let the past be past and celebrate the renewed bonds of kinship. Forrest seems determined to welcome you into his family despite your glaring faults.”
“Mo’ family, mo’ bettah. That’s what I hear anyway.” Forrest leaned in to join the hug, then backed off to sit with Edwin. “Tried the free-spirit thing, kinda. I’m not one of ’em. Guess salt of the earth don’t fly much.”
He kissed the top of Edwin’s head and smiled at Thoreau. “Don’t think we can grill nothin’ with the burn ban on, but if you’re a meat eater, we can make a barbecue run…have a traditional Texas celebration.”
“That sounds good. I’m going to put my stuff in the guest room and change into barbecue attire. Maybe I’ll call Phoebe, tell her she should join her sons for some hot meat. She’d like this one, and she’s been awfully curious.”
Thoreau disappeared into the back of the house, leaving Edwin curled against Forrest on the couch. Head swimming with strange new thoughts and possibilities, Edwin inhaled sharply and then let out a long, slow breath. Then he turned his head to gaze into Forrest’s eyes.
A muffled crash interrupted the moment, followed by Thoreau’s cursing and the rapid exodus of Frannie and Nasty from the guest room. They darted through the living room and into the kitchen like the devil was on their heels.
Then peace returned, and Edwin tipped his face up to kiss Forrest.
“This is getting very complicated,” he whispered against Forrest’s lips, eyes open to gaze at him with wary amusement. “Are you regretting it yet?”
Forrest laughed and squeezed Edwin tight. “I wanna meet your momma. Long as your brother isn’t really gonna try and steal me away, I’m good. Not sure how I feel ’bout bein’ salt-of-the-earth uneducated or whatever, but I get the idea with your family it’s a good thing?”
Edwin stroked Forrest’s chest, feeling his warmth and strength through the thin cotton. With Forrest beside him, the newly complex social future opening to Edwin didn’t seem as awful. He smiled into those beautiful eyes and shook his head.
“They don’t see the world like everyone else. Phoebe believes wisdom and inorganic knowledge are at odds.” Edwin hid his face in Forrest’s throat. “Maybe they’ll like me if they see me through your eyes.”
Forrest kissed the side of Edwin’s head. “I’m sure they love you. You’re very lovable. I know I love you.”
Edwin beamed. His eyes crinkled so hard from his smile that he could barely see. He trailed his hand down Forrest’s stomach to rest over his crotch, fingers gently stroked in unspoken promise that Edwin would make it up to him. Thoreau was in the other room, and Edwin should mind propriety, but he felt incandescent with love, electric and alive with the knowledge that Forrest would do whatever Edwin needed of him.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll meet you in the garden when you’re ready.”
Edwin glanced over to see Thoreau smirking as he let himself out the door. Edwin watched him go, then climbed into Forrest’s lap and grinned down at him. He was still sore from the previous night, and he knew they had things to do, but he stole a kiss anyway. Forrest responded with unhesitating desire that made Edwin feel sexier than he had any right to.
Then a soft meow sounded from the vicinity of his toes, stopping him before he could get carried away. Glancing down, he saw Frannie and Nasty getting comfortable on top of Forrest’s feet. Reluctantly, Edwin stood and pulled Forrest up after him before the cats could guilt them into staying there all day.
“We’ll be back later, Frannie.” Edwin leaned down to scratch behind her ears, and she purred before pouncing onto the warm spot Forrest’s ass had left on the couch. She sprawled and gazed up at him with calm, green eyes that narrowed in bliss as he watched.
Edwin thought he knew exactly how she felt.
The End
Thanks for reading this novel, the beloved brainchild of Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid. If it gave you a case of the feels, please review and let them know. Depeche Mode said to enjoy the silence, but honestly, the Snarky Assassins would rather hear that they made you smile, cry, or pull out your hair. Don't be shy.
Titles by Clancy Nacht & Thursday Euclid
Black Gold
Black Gold 2: Double Black
The WASPs
I’ll Be Your Man
Le Jazz Hot
You’re Welcome. Love, Your Cat
Gemini
Celibacy NOW
Immortal Sins
Wyatt’s Recipes for Wooing Rock Stars
Boyfriend Goals
The Phisher King
Cats & Doges
Line in the Shadow
Clancy Nacht
A Model Boyfriend
Prince Charming Wears Garters
Still Remains
The Night Caller
Pride & Justice
Effing Gorgeous
Strange Times
No Tea, No Shade (Viva! 1)
Dragged to the Altar (Viva! 2)
Thursday Euclid
Asher Beauregard Attempts to Give a Damn
Built for Pleasure
About the Authors
Clancy Nacht
Clancy Nacht is a bisexual genderqueer person who lives in Austin. Clancy has published several bestselling romances. Many of her books have been honored with Rainbow Awards; Le Jazz Hot won for Best Bisexual/Transgender Romance & Erotic Romance. In 2013, Black Gold: Double Black was a runner-up for a Rainbow Award. In 2015, Gemini won an Honorable Mention for Gay Erotic Romance and in 2016, Strange Times won an Honorable Mention for Science Fiction. Wyatt's Recipes for Wooing Rock Stars was a finalist in the highly competitive William Neale Award for Best Gay Contemporary Romance.
Thursday Euclid
The Thursday Euclid is a strange and elusive creature dwelling in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Frequently mistaken for Bigfoot, Chupacabra, or the monster of the week, he is, in fact, a 30-something black sheep with a penchant for K-pop, geekery, and hot and sour soup. When he’s not playing Dragon Age or SWTOR, he’s probably watching B-movies or talking to his best friend and frequent collaborator Clancy Nacht. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, or email him at thursdayeuclid at gmail dot com.
