Rebuilding Year (Reconstruction Book 2) by A.M. Arthur

Author:A.M. Arthur [Arthur, A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Briggs-King Books
Published: 2024-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Thank you for blurting that out, Big Bear,” Angelo said, his expression one of newly-familiar exasperation. “So much for dropping the arranged marriage gently.”

“Marriage?” Patrick parroted, his eyes getting saucer-like.

It might have been funny if Bryan wasn’t so hyper-focused on making this okay for Patrick, rather than a mind-boggling shock. “It’s not a marriage,” he said. “But yeah, Angelo needs a relationship to fix his money problems, and I agreed to help him in exchange for a small percentage.”

Patrick gaped at him, his Adam’s apple bobbing but no words coming out. “Do you need money, Bryan? Are you having some kind of problem? Are you…doing something?” The small, sad way Patrick said doing something broke Bryan’s heart, as much as it stabbed him in it, too. The unasked question was, “Are you doing drugs and in over your head?” And he didn’t blame Patrick for jumping to the wrong conclusion, not after his troubled past.

“No, I’m not in trouble with money,” Bryan replied. “Angelo offered that as a perk for pretending to be his significant other for a few months.”

“It’s gay for pay, Bryan.”

Patrick sounded more hurt than anything, which helped Bryan not snap when he said, “It’s actually not.”

“Wait, you’re gay? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” His hurt shifted into suspicion. “You told Angelo before you told me? Or are you saying that so the whole arrangement doesn’t seem weird and predatory?”

Angelo made a disgruntled noise, probably over the predatory remark.

Bryan’s skin crawled at the accusation and his own temper sparked. “I didn’t tell Angelo before you. I mean, yes, I did, but it was just part of our conversation.” It had slipped out naturally in the moment, because Angelo, while only a casual friend, was a safe space to let that kind of thing slip. He and Patrick had never sat down and had a conversation where either of their sexualities had come up, so Bryan had simply never said anything. Being bi had never been a major part of his personality; it was simply a part of him, like his brown hair or his height. And after having his entire life on view for the public, both before and after the band broke up, he was tired of having nothing left to himself. He’d had this one single thing left, even if it wasn’t a huge revelation in his mind.

But the grief-stricken look on Patrick’s face said it was a huge revelation for Patrick. “I’m actually bi,” Bryan said. “If it matters.”

“Of course, it matters! I mean, no, it doesn’t matter matter, but it’s kind of a big thing, Bryan. I thought you trusted me.”

“I do with the stuff that matters. I guess I don’t see liking guys and gals as a huge thing. I never came out to myself or anyone else. It’s just something I’ve known for a long time.”

“You’ve known all this time?”

“Most of it. How does it change anything? Knowing now? Do you see me differently? The selfish prick of a

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