A Lover's Decision

Chapter 20

"So who wants to talk first?" Rhys asked.

Rhyn and Myles looked at each other. They'd somehow composed themselves and had covered their groins with the comforter. Myles wrapped his arm around Rhyn's waist, leaning down to kiss his shoulder lovingly.

Rhys watched the two, how Myles really took care of Rhyn. He saw it now. Rhyn was head over heels for Myles, and it seemed the feelings were mutual. But Rhys knew more about Myles then he had told Rhyn, and he couldn't sit back without him knowing. Now that he knew they were sleeping together, he felt no qualms about bringing it up.

"Myles," he continued. His friend looked at him. "How long has this been going on? Since the party?"

"No!" Rhyn denied. Both looked at him. He shrank back a bit when his brother's eyes narrowed on him. "It's only been a couple of months."

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

"Rhys, this isn't about you," Myles replied. He diverted his friend's attention and stared him down. "I pursued Rhyn first. After I apologized that day in the library, I decided I wanted to be his friend."

"After I told you not to bother him?" He saw Rhyn look at him, shock written on his face. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Myles, did it not occur to you that I asked you not to pursue him because he wasn't confident in himself?"

Myles frowned at his friend. He pulled Rhyn closer into him. The guy leaned into him, his shoulder dipping under Myles's. "What are you talking about?"

Rhys looked over at his brother. Rhyn's eyes were big and bright. He let Myles comfort him as he waited for Rhys to answer the question. It gave him time to watch them as they were at their rawedt. They were able to be themselves even though Rhys was pressing them.

He reached forward and took Rhyn's hand. His brother looked at him. They watched each other for a few moments. Rhyn blinked slowly at Rhys as the elder searched his face. He didn't know what Rhys was looking for but he couldn't look away from him.

Rhyn flinched slightly when Rhys touched his face. It was an automatic response. He wasn't sure where he'd gotten it from, but he saw Rhys's response.

"Rhyn, are you gay?" he asked. It was simple and to the point, and it was a question he had always wondered.

Rhyn blinked then shook his head slowly. "No, I'm not. I like women too."

"Then you're bisexual?"

"Rhys!" Rhyn whined his name, clearly very uncomfortable.

"What if he doesn't want to label himself?" Myles asked.

"Unfortunately, the world we live in labels everything. If they don't understand it, they will try to shove him into a box. I can better defend him if I know what he thinks of himself. Do not tell me he doesn't need defending because I have been doing it since middle school."

Rhyn shifted forward. His hand landed on Myles's thigh, and the other man covered it with his own. Rhys's gaze flicked down to that hand, but he let it slide.

"Rhys, what are you talking about?" He tilted his head to the left, and the movement made him look like a puppy. Rhys's eyes softened at the look. "Why have you had to defend me?"

"Kids in school are cruel, Rhyn," Rhys whispered. "Everyone has speculated you were gay since eighth grade. You had a lot of girl friends and no one really saw you date anyone. So the rumors were rampant. And Ryan always said how quiet you were and how you would never defend yourself if someone said anything."