Too bad Ethan didn’t realize just how much Beau wanted from him. Or how unwilling Beau was to give up on this – whatever this was. Because if he did, he would realize that he was only delaying the inevitable.
Beau watched as Lorrie moved into the room. She seemed to be eying Ethan speculatively and moving slower than usual. He was waiting for Lorrie’s usual happy response to Ethan’s question, however, it never came.
“When you boys are finished, I’d like you to switch the dresser from your old room with the one from Zane’s.”
“Why?” Ethan asked, irritation dripping from his tone.
Lorrie paused, and Beau leaned back in his chair, ready to let her know that he’d be more than willing to move the furniture without Ethan’s help.
“Do you have an issue with helping me?” Lorrie asked her son, catching Beau by surprise. She did not sound at all happy.
Ethan dropped his head, pushing his plate away. “No, Mom. It’s no problem.”
A tiny hint of a smile crept across Lorrie’s face before she turned away.
“Thank you.”
Figuring there wasn’t any conversation to be had there at the table, Beau grabbed his empty bowl and headed to the sink, rinsing and setting it into the dish drainer before turning back to Ethan.
“Ready to get this over with?” he asked, his hands clamped onto the edge of the counter as he leaned back casually. There was no way he was going to let Ethan know just how worked up he was.
The guy was avoiding him. And even if Beau didn’t like the idea, it was promising. Yes, maybe in a twisted, warped way, but at least it was something to grab onto.
“Yup. I’ve got things to do so let’s get it over with,” Ethan answered.
When he approached, Beau had to move out of the way, but he made sure to brush by him as he went. The electrical charge started at the point where their arms brushed against one another and went out through every one of his extremities.
He wanted to get his hands on Ethan. So much so, his fingers tingled with the urge.
♂♂
Ethan
Horrible idea.
This was absolutely the worst possible situation that Ethan could find himself in. The temptation was too great. Much too great.
Making his way up the stairs, Ethan discreetly glanced into the living room to see what his parents were doing. Neither of them had moved, nor had they turned their attention away from the television. Considering his mother didn’t watch television, Ethan knew she was up to something.
“Which one do you want to get first?” Beau asked when they both reached the landing at the top of the stairs.
“Zane’s.” What the hell was his mother thinking rearranging furniture upstairs? It wasn’t like anyone ever used the stuff anyway. And he knew without a doubt that she didn’t frequent these rooms so why did it matter where one dresser was versus another?
Ethan turned and followed Beau down the hall to Zane’s old room. He did his best not to admire the strength and power in all of the muscles that flexed when Beau moved. From those broad shoulders to that narrow waist, the man was masculine perfection. He still had that football player build, bulky upper body and thick lower body. And Ethan still found himself attracted to the guy after all this time.
He still had a hard time wrapping his head around the idea of Beau being gay. It wasn’t impossible, but still seemed unlikely. After all, Beau had spent the better part of his adult life having threesomes with Zane’s girlfriends. But somewhere along the way, it seemed as though Beau had realized he’d been going the wrong direction. Or at least that’s what Ethan had heard.
Not his place to question though.
Once inside Zane’s old room, Ethan flipped on the lights and moved to the far end of the long dresser.
“You think we should take the mirror off first?” Beau asked, standing there with his hands on his hips and staring at Ethan like he’d lost his mind.
Fuck no. The mirror could take it or leave it as far as Ethan was concerned. He just wanted to get this over with and get back downstairs. Or outside. Yes, outside would be good because being confined in a bedroom alone with Beau wasn’t healthy.
“Fine, I’ll get a screwdriver,” Ethan told him, making a beeline back out into the hallway. He was halfway to the stairs when he stopped and leaned up against the wall. Dropping his head back, he stared up at the ceiling.
“What the fuck is wrong with me?” he muttered to himself, his chest heaving like he’d just moved all the damn furniture upstairs by himself.
“You’re in denial.”
Beau’s deep, rusty voice sent a chill racing down Ethan’s spine, but he didn’t move. Didn’t say a word. And somehow, he managed to not look at Beau either.