Stepbrother

Chapter 59

"Well.. sometimes," Josh said, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking at the sidewalk. Jeremy stopped walking and looked at Josh. I stopped next to Jeremy.

"Dude.." Jeremy began. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not important." Josh shrugged, stopping and facing Jeremy.

Jeremy grabbed Josh's hand. "Of course it's important."

Josh looked down at their interlaced fingers. He shifted uncomfortably. "Well.. not really. I don't want you to worry about me.. Besides, it's not a big deal."

"Yes, Josh, it is," Jeremy said. "I worry about you anyway.."

Josh sighed and glanced around. He looked at their hands again. "You're the gayest straight person I've ever met."

"Don't change the subject."

"Sorry.." Josh sighed again. "It's just.. I don't know. I didn't want to bother anyone with my family problems. It seems like all of us have them."

"Yeah, but that's irrelevant. Regardless of my problems, I always have time for you."

"That sounds so gay," Josh said.

"Stop calling me gay and stay on topic," Jeremy said. "You wouldn't be bothering me by telling me what's going on in your life."

"Me either!" I butted in.

"I love you guys," Josh said, smiling and looking down.

"I know," Jeremy smiled.

"I've heard you say you love Neil. You don't love me?" Josh asked.

"Sure.." Jeremy nodded.

"Say it," Josh demanded.

"You say it first."

"I already did."

"That was 'I love you guys,' it's not the same and it was friendly," Jeremy said.

"Fine." Josh rolled his eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too," Jeremy nodded.

"Since when are you taller than me?!" Josh yelled, butting his head into Jeremy's chest.

"Since now," Jeremy said, resting his head on Josh's head.

"I remember, like, middle school when I was taller," Josh said, pulling Jeremy along and motioning for me to come.

"You were never taller," Jeremy said, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, I was!" Josh argued. It fell quiet. "Uhh, Jer?"

"Yeah?" Jeremy replied.

"You can uh... let go of my hand now," Josh said.

"No," Jeremy replied. Josh looked up at him. "Okay, fine," Jeremy sighed, letting go. Josh looked over his shoulder at me.

"You can have Jeremy back now," Josh said. I laughed.

"It's fine. I don't get jealous like Jeremy does."

"Jeremy gets jealous?" Josh asked, slowing down and walking with me. I nodded and Josh smiled evilly. He grabbed my hand, which made me tense, and pulled me a bit closer to him.

"Don't try to make me jealous," Jeremy groaned.

"You're already jealous, aren't you?" Josh asked. Jeremy shook his head.

Josh stopped us both and wrapped his arms around my waist. "This'll be more fun at home," Josh said, pulling me by the arm as he ran.

-