Fighting This =LGBT= Sample

18 The Offer

Stefan sat beside Brick and felt his world shift. Brick had just opened up to him in a big way and it was such a shock to him that he still felt a little side swiped by it.

Everything was so different. He had gone through so much in only a short amount of time since he got to L.A. that he felt overwhelmed.

"Have you ever thought of coming out?" Stefan asked him quietly. Not really knowing what to say to his idol.

Brick snorted and nods slowly. "Sure. Many times."

Stefan opens his mouth but isn't really sure how to ask what he wants to ask without being rude.

Brick beats him to the punch. "I don't think I could play the hetero action hero if everyone knew I was gay... If you haven't noticed I am somewhat type casted."

Stefan knew exactly what he meant. Brick was in several movies where he was the main brooding leading man with dangerous skills and a soldiures heart and honor. Every character he ever played was a straight guy who could crack heads and break girls hearts.

Stefan let his eyes rest on Brick's slumped shoulders and bowed head. Watched the way his fingers ran through his hair and noticed the way his brows furrowed as he sat beside him.

Stefan tried to ease the mood in the room. "Well. Now I am even more impressed with your acting!"

Brick looked up his eyes a little wide and suddenly after a pause he laughed. A airy bark of a laugh that seamed to slip out of him on it's own.

Stefan kept going, hoping he was on a roll. "No, I mean it. I totally thought you were completely straight. Like, not even a little gay. You are a great actor." Stefan was completely honest about that and he hoped it was the right thing to say.

Brick chuckled under his breath and shook his head. "Well. It's good to know that I have some talent." Taking a deep breath Brick stood up and scratched his fingers through his dark hair as he picked up his ball cap. "Listen Stefan... I'm sorry about what happened in Vegas but maybe getting out and having some fun will help clear your head."

Stefan stood up and felt sadness rush through him at the memory of Dane nearly kissing him. He tried to shake it off. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. Why don't you come with me and Cody. We are headed to a charity event tomorrow. It should be fun." Brick pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and pulled out a card. It had the charity name on it. Sweet Homes Charity for the homeless. "It's a good charity for those less fortunate, we go every year."

Stefan nodded and slipped it into his pocket. "It sounds good Brick. I'll come with you guys if its okay. I just-" Stefan's phone started ringing, it was Lola.

"You better pick up I think you're going to give her a heart attack if you don't" Brick smirked and chuckled under his breath.

Sliding his thumb over the screen Stefan winced and answered. "Hey."

"Hey? That's all you have to say to me? Hey?" Lola sounded pissed. "Are you okay? Are you missing any limbs? Is there a valid reason you keep turning your phone off?!"

Wiping a hand over his face he sighs. "I'm sorry Lo... I just..."

Lola's voice came back worried. "Are you hurt Stefan? Did something happen? Please tell me you are okay."

Feeling even worse for making her worry he put on a fake smile and tried to be convincing. "No no Lola. I'm okay. Brick just showed up and I turned my phone on and everything is okay I was just... freaking out I guess. I think you were right about Vegas. It was too much for me. I had to come home before I got into trouble."

Lola's voice was skeptical. "Oh... Well then that's good that you kept yourself out of trouble. Please tell Brick I will be sending him and Cody some treats for bothering them, and to thank him for checking on you."

Stefan blushed suddenly feeling like some kind of kid being reprimanded. "Lola I-"

"You will keep that damn phone on from now on or I will shove it down your throat. I swear it's like he thinks I do this for my health. Ugh. Stay out of trouble Stefan." The line went dead and Stefan stared at the phone for a sec before looking over to a barely restrained Brick who was trying to cover his laughing by coughing into his hand.

"Oh Come on." Stefan grumbled as he pocketed his phone.

Brick let his chuckles out now as he came up beside him and put his arm around his shoulders and ruffled his hair. "You got off easy from what I hear. Lola is a real ball buster. She must really like you."

Stefan felt heat burn at his cheeks as he tried to push that big hand off his hair and run his fingers through the tangled mess to fix it. "She says I remind her of her little brother..."

Brick smiled and patted his back and nodded over to his room. "Get dressed and pack a bag. I just got a text from Cody. We are going out tonight. You're going to love this place. Its secluded and perfect."

"What is it? Some kind of club?" Stefan didn't argue he just went and grabbed some clothes stuffing them in his bag.

Brick just smirked and tilted his head. "I hope you like karaoke."

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