Falling

Red-Handed

Link sat on Rhett's chair in their office, staring at his best friend and waiting on baited breath for his response. He had just told Rhett everything, everything, and he was anxious to hear what he had to say.

"Dang, man..."

"I know," Link sighed, taking his glasses off to run a hand down his face before putting them back on. "I never, I mean, who would'a thunk all them years ago I'd end up here."

"I think it's about time if I'mma be honest."

Link's face twisted into one of confusion. He didn't know what he was expecting, but that wasn't it. Rhett picked up on Link's uncertainty, shrugging a shoulder he continued.

"I just mean, you been talkin'bout leavin' Chris for, what? Half a year? Maybe longer."

"That what you got outta that whole thing?" Link asked, huffing in frustration. "This is hard, man. I-I don't, things are gonna get real tricky n' I don't know how I'm s'posed to keep it all together."

"I mean, a smokin' hot girlfriend that's ten years younger'n you is probly a good start." Rhett hadn't missed a beat, his eyes glinting with that look that was equal parts mischievous and proud.

Link narrowed his eyes but couldn't keep the smirk off his face as Rhett continued. "What? You think I'mma be surprised you'n Noah are a thing now?"

"Well, I mean, we ain't a thing thing but yeah. This, this is a big deal for me."

Rhett pulled a smiled, leaning back in his seat with his hands behind his head. Link was almost uncomfortable by how relaxed the big man seemed.

"Look, you're sittin'ere talkin' about how big a deal it is that you're datin'..."

"...but we're not datin'..."

"...okay, fine. What're you doin' then?"

Link didn't like the challenge in Rhett's voice, and he was especially perplexed by the way he didn't have an answer for him. What were they doing? Well, they were...hmm. They were sleeping together, obviously, and they loved one another. He couldn't even imagine himself with anyone else and he loved spending time with her. He wanted to take her out, wanted to get to know her better, build a life with her if he could and he was confident that he would. He wanted to keep her safe, shelter her from all of the shit that was sure to stir up over the next few months...he sighed, realizing that once again Rhett was more right than he was.

"I'm not gonna tell you you're right. No, nope," Link held a hand up when Rhett opened his mouth again, "just listen. We ain't officially datin'. We, we're just...we're almost there, okay? I'm in love with her but I don't know how this is gonna turn out with Christy. It's not fair."

"Not fair to you or not fair to her?"

"Whadd'ya mean?"

"Who's it not fair for, huh? Cuz the only thing I'm thinkin' ain't fair is the fact y'all ain't even givin' this a decent shot..."

"We are too!" Link felt defensive. He had all but laid his entire life down in front of Rhett and he felt like he wasn't getting any positive criticism or advice.

"Oh you are not," Rhett rebutted. "Why ain't you seein' her then? N' I don't just mean seein' her naked..."

"Hey! That's my, my," Link's mind bounced around the different options for what she meant to him.

"Your what?" There it was again, that challenge in Rhett's voice.

"I don't know, Rhett," Link bit out, irritation in his voice.

"How you think that makes her feel?"

Shit, Rhett just kept hitting the nail on the head and after 30 years of friendship, Link still hated it.