Owen’s alarm went off at three in the morning, and he quickly shut it off before it woke Brody. He slowly sat up and swung his legs off the side of the bed, but within seconds, a strong arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him back down.
“Where do you think you’re sneaking off to?” Brody rolled on top of him, kissing his neck.
“Shit, sorry. I tried not to wake you.” Owen leaned his head to the side, loving the feeling of Brody’s lips on his skin.
“Do I look like I’m complaining?” Brody dragged his lips lower, clamping his mouth on Owen’s nipple and sucked hard.
Owen moaned, threading his fingers through Brody’s hair. “Okay, you know I have to go to work. You keep that up and I’m going to be late.” There was absolutely no conviction behind his words as he slid his hands down Brody’s skin, grabbing his bare ass under the sheet, and pulled him closer.
Brody grabbed the lube off the nightstand, putting some in his palm. Lining up their hard lengths, Brody took a hold of both in his strong hand and began to stroke them together. “I’ll get you off.” His fist picked up the pace. “That is, I’ll get you off to work on time.”
Owen’s response was the long sigh he released as he let himself get lost in the sensations. It didn’t take long for them both to fall off the edge, as they had so many times before. Owen kissed Brody with a passion that was growing every day. Sometimes, he still wondered how they’d gotten to this point, how it all felt so right, so quickly.
“Now we both need a shower.” Brody laughed, looking down between them.
“If you think you’re using this one with me, you’re out of your mind. You get the one in the hall. I don’t trust you to keep your hands to yourself. Considering I’m leaving work early this afternoon, I really shouldn’t be late.”
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
Owen could punch himself for the concern he saw in Brody’s eyes. He took Brody’s face in his hands and made sure that he was looking at him. “I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. Of course, it’s okay. I want to do this. I’m honored that you even asked me.” Owen rolled them over, covering Brody’s body as he kissed him. Feeling their skin stick, he laughed and whispered, “We really do need to shower.” He stood up, pulling Brody with him toward the bathroom.
“I thought you said we had to take separate showers?” Brody arched a teasing eyebrow coupled with a sly grin.
“I’m pretty sure the boss won’t fire me if I’m late.” Owen walked them both into the bathroom, closing the door behind them.
An hour after he was supposed to be at work, he finally showed up. “Sorry, I’m late. Overslept.” He felt his face flush with heat at the looks his employees—especially Leslie—were giving him, knowing that he was full of shit.
“That’s the story you’re going with?” Leslie teased.
Owen shook his head. “I hate you.” He glanced around the bakery. “All right, everyone back to work.” Then he turned to his cousin. “Don’t forget I’m leaving early today.”
“Looks who’s becoming a slacker.”
“I’m going with Brody to see his mom.”
“Shit, well now I feel like an ass.” Leslie’s face softened and she rubbed his arm. “This can’t be easy for him. I’ve heard a couple of people talking in here. Everyone is thinking about both of them.”
“No, it hasn’t been easy for him. I wish there was something I could do to make it easier.” Owen walked back to the kitchen, knowing Leslie would follow.
“You’re doing it. Be there for him while he’s here. That’s what he needs right now.”
While he’s here...
Owen hadn’t asked Brody if he planned to stay in Haven’s Cove―was afraid to ask. If Brody left, it would be after his mom passed away. How the hell did he bring up that subject without bringing up the inevitable loss Brody was facing? Owen knew all too well what it felt like to lose a parent. Brody’s situation was different though. Owen still had his mom, but Brody had lost years with his, and now that they’d finally found each other, he was losing her all over again. No, the time wasn’t right to find out what Brody’s plans were after she was gone. Even though it terrified Owen that he was falling for Brody, he’d have to wait and see if Brody decided to stay. And one way or another, Owen would have to be okay with Brody’s decision.
“Owen?”
He snapped his head back up, realizing that Leslie was still standing there while he was caught up in the prospect of losing Brody.
Leslie went over to the fridge and took out some fresh blueberries, handing them to Owen. In a rare moment of sincerity, she said, “He’s lucky to have you.”
“Yeah, I guess.” At least, he hoped Brody felt that way. “I’ll get going on those muffins. Thanks for putting the rolls in the oven.”
“Eh, I suppose sometimes I love you.” She winked and strolled back to the front of the store.
~ɤ~
“Owen, this is Aunt Nora, my mom’s sister.” Brody turned to his aunt. “Aunt Nora, I’d like you to meet Owen Richards, best baker in town, among other things.” Damn, he loved how easily he could make Owen’s fair skin turn pink.
Brody came here to be with his mom, but that also included a promise to himself to be honest about who he was. Once he knew his mom accepted him, being open with Aunt Nora was a piece of cake.
And damned if he could hide his feelings for Owen anyway.
Owen shook Aunt Nora’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I know Brody is so happy to have you here. It takes a special person to take care of a loved one the way you’ve been. Not many people have that strength.”
Aunt Nora nudged Brody’s arm. “Brody, you hold onto this one. Gorgeous, bakes, and is obviously smart.”
Brody had the satisfaction of seeing Owen blush for the second time in minutes. He mentally added humble to the list of descriptions of Owen in his mind. It suddenly seemed more important than ever to introduce Owen to his mother. Grabbing his hand, Brody led him back to her room, but Owen suddenly pulled gently to stop him.
“Are you okay?” Brody asked.
“Yeah, I’m just nervous.” Owen’s eyebrows creased with worry and Brody could kick himself for not realizing it earlier. How could he have overlooked that this could bring back some difficult memories of Owen’s father being sick?
“Shit, I didn’t even think about this being hard for you with what you went through.” Brody leaned his forehead against Owen’s and wrapped his arms around his waist. “It’s not too late to turn around. I’d completely understand.”
“I’m supposed to be comforting you right now, not the other way around.” Owen held Brody just as tightly, and Brody could feel him tremble.
“You are a comfort to me. You have no idea what you’ve done for me.” Brody gave him a soft kiss, and they just stood there for a minute, finding comfort in each other.
Owen inhaled deeply and released it then he whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m ready now.”
“I don’t mind standing here for a few more minutes, just holding you, if you’re really not ready,” Brody whispered back.
Owen smiled and kissed him. “As much as I would love that, I really am ready. Let’s go in.”
Brody nodded his head and took Owen’s hand. They turned into the doorway and Owen’s hand tensed in Brody’s. Like she was the other day when he brought Gabe, she was looking out the window, this time while lying in bed. Once they walked into view and she saw Brody, she smiled, but as her eyes landed on Owen, they lit up.
“Hey, Mom.” He kissed her on her cheek and said, “Do you remember Owen Richards?”
Her eyes hadn’t moved from Owen the second they landed on him. “Owen, it’s...so nice to see you.” She raised her frail hand slightly, obviously using a lot of energy for even just that small motion. Brody held his breath as he looked over at Owen.
Without hesitation, Owen took her hand and sat down in the chair next to the bed. “Hi, Mrs. Walker, it’s nice to see you too.”
“You always...were such a...handsome boy. How have you been?” She struggled with her words, her breathing getting more and more labored as the days progressed. “I hope it wasn’t too much trouble to leave the bakery early.”
“No trouble at all, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Kathy.”
Owen nodded his head. “My mother said to say hello for her.”
“How is Sandy? She always was so…nice to me.”
“She’s good. She and my aunt started a book club with some people around town. Although, I’d say it’s more of an excuse to drink wine and eat dessert.” Owen nervously shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. He met Brody’s eyes, and Brody wished he knew what was running through Owen’s head to make him look so worried.
~ɤ~
Oh God, Owen thought. Should I talk about things like that? Things she can’t do or be a part of? Please, don’t say anything stupid.
Kathy’s soft voice had Owen returning his attention to her. “You’re blessed to have them.” She smiled warmly, taking a shallow breath.
Owen nodded his head and returned her smile. “I’m very fortunate. My mom’s been my rock. They all have, actually, my mom, my aunt, and my cousin.” His smile grew, thinking of all the times his mom had been there for him, supporting him, loving him. It hit him even harder that Brody was losing so much, and there was nothing Owen could do about it, no matter how much he wanted to take the pain away.
“It’s important to have that. Family.”
“Yes, it is,” he agreed.
She glanced up at Brody and said, “Brody, can you...give us a minute...honey?”
Brody looked down, and Owen smiled, letting him know that it was okay. “Yeah, I’ll just be in the kitchen with Aunt Nora.” He squeezed Owen’s shoulder and left the two of them alone.
Owen’s heart was pounding, but he didn’t want to let on how ridiculously nervous he was. He waited for her to speak, completely embarrassed that she could feel how badly his hand was sweating as she held it.
Kathy studied Owen as if she could see into his soul, and he’d never felt so exposed. “Does he know?”
“I’m sorry? I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Does Brody know...that you love him?” She squeezed his hand tighter, and he imagined it was taking a lot of energy to do so.
“I―” Shit, what do I say to that? Owen could feel his palms sweat even more, now joined by his brow and the back of his neck. Then he met her eyes, and the warmth and understanding was overwhelming. It was the hope she conveyed—hope that someone would love her son when she was gone—that had Owen facing the truth about himself…about Brody. “I haven’t told him yet.”
“But...you do?”
Hope grew in her eyes, and Owen couldn’t deny telling her the one thing he still didn’t have the courage to say out loud to her son. “Yes, I do love him.” That was easier than he thought it would be to admit.
The serenity that washed over her was all the validation that Owen needed. He’d done the right thing in telling her. He looked into her eyes and said, “I will take care of him. I need you to know that he won’t be alone. He’ll never be alone.” In that moment, Owen knew he would...even if it meant going with Brody to Boston. That’s what you did for the person that you loved, just like Jonah had once done for him.
“I knew...he’d find you,” she whispered, as she slowly let her eyes drift closed.
Owen watched the rise and fall of her breathing for a moment, grateful that, for now, Brody still had her. He looked out the window she’d been gazing out when they came in. Besides the house next door, it wasn’t much of a view. He suddenly thought of something that maybe he could give her.
Watching her for a few more minutes, he realized how light he felt now that he’d said out loud to someone that he loved Brody. He could only hope when he finally had the balls to tell Brody, he could let go of all of the tension he’d been feeling.
And that Brody loved him too.