A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION

Chapter 31: "Behind Closed Doors"

"Did he really just say that?" James was stunned.

Brandon was in mild shock and barely containing elated laughter. Across the hall, standing speechless by Josh's locker, Grace glanced their way. Brandon had to turn away because he couldn't keep the grin off his face. He heard the girl huff then walk away.

"Oh, my God," James laughed. "That was great. I can't believe he said that. He's usually so quiet and submissive. You are definitely having a positive effect on him."

Brandon grinned. "No, man, that was all him. I didn't do that."

"You trying to tell me that you have nothing to do with him breaking out of his shell?" he asked skeptically. "Bullpucky."

Laughing, Brandon shook his head. "Whatever. It was mostly him, anyway." He sighed. "My boy is coming along nicely."

"Your boy, huh?" James nudged him.

"Well, it's still a little wishful thinking," Brandon admitted with a smile. "But I am hopelessly hopeful."

"Best way to be, my man."

"Your man?"

James chuckled and wagged his brow. "Maybe it's wishful thinking," he joked.

"Yeah, right." Brandon socked him lightly and glanced down the hall. At the far end, he saw Josh detour into the restroom. "Hey, I'll catch up with you in the cafeteria. I'm going to go talk to Josh real quick." He took off before James could respond and jogged down to the restroom, cutting into the short corridor. He shoved through the bathroom door and found Josh standing before the long rectangle mirror, gripping one of the sinks. He jumped when the door closed heavily. Brandon smiled. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Josh stared at him, a mix of emotions churning behind his eyes. He swallowed hard and released his grip on the sink.

"I, uh..." Brandon cleared his throat. "I kind of overheard yours and Grace's conversation. Some of it, anyway." His smile stretched. "You were great."

A weak smile jerked the corner of Josh's mouth but didn't quite make it across his lips. "If she tells the others..." he started then hesitated. "Uriah...and everyone...expects me to treat her like my girlfriend."

"And that means letting her push you into stuff you're not ready for?" Brandon frowned. "Do they know about that?"

He shrugged. "Elijah does. He...he caught us up in the hayloft yesterday."

Brandon arched an eyebrow. "Caught you...doing what?"

Josh smiled and looked away, his face flushing. "Nothing," he mumbled. "I mean, she was trying to do something, but I wasn't..."

Laughing softly, Brandon walked closer. "I was just teasing. I didn't really think that."

Josh let out a low, hard breath and smiled nervously. "The way she was coming onto me yesterday...I was starting to think she was gonna throw me down in the hay and rape me." He looked at Brandon, then laughed quietly. "I'm...I'm kidding. It's just..." He shrugged. "...she's persistent."

"Yeah." Brandon nodded. "I was picking up on that."

Josh smiled and lowered his eyes. His fingertips tapped nervously against the edge of the sink, just inches from Brandon's hand.

"I can't wait for school to be over," Brandon said quietly and inched his hand discreetly closer until their fingertips touched. "I love spending time with you. You're very interesting."

Josh bit his lip and smiled as his cheeks reddened just a little. "No, I'm not," he mumbled with a quiet laugh, his gaze resting on their hands. He tentatively slid his fingertips between Brandon's, who responded by doing the same. Josh raised his eyes slowly, anxiously. When Brandon's lips pursed in a smile, Josh squinted. "What?"