Chapter Seven
“Wow,” Brent said as Riley unlocked the door to the cabin, having retrieved the spare key from under a plant pot. “When you said nice, you weren’t kidding.”
Riley grinned to himself at Brent’s awe. That was the reaction he’d wanted. Brent deserved a little luxury, and Jacinta’s cabin was definitely luxurious.
Between the dark, polished floorboards, silk-woven area rugs, and enormous fireplace, no expense had been spared in fitting it out and decorating it. Riley had nearly fainted the first time he’d seen the beautiful kitchen, and the huge four-poster bed in the bedroom that would have been big enough for four people to sleep comfortably.
It had to be, considering what she used it for.
The cabin was unquestionably beautiful, and comfortable, and that made it the perfect place for Brent to rest and recover. Riley loved his RV, but he wasn’t unaware of the joy a little luxury could bring to someone’s life.
Especially someone like Brent, who had so often had to forgo even the smallest of luxuries after his parents died.
Riley watched Brent wander through the living room and straight into the bedroom, brushing his fingertips over the plush furnishings.
The plush furnishings that happened to include handcuff anchors, complete with chains, permanently attached to the bedposts.
“Uh.” Brent paused with one of the chains in his hand. “What, uh… what did you say it was that your friend does?”
Riley cleared his throat. “She’s a professional dominatrix.”
“Oh. You… oh.” Brent’s entire face went red, the tips of his ears practically glowing.
“Yeah, uh, if that freaks you out, probably don’t open that closet,” Riley said, nodding to an unassuming door off to the side of the room. He’d only seen the inside of it once, but some of what he’d spotted had been enough to make him wince. Brent would probably pass out. “Otherwise, it’s a nice place.”
“It’s a beautiful place,” Brent said earnestly, looking at Riley with soft eyes. “Thank you. For arranging this. For picking up the pieces for me. For everything.”
“You’ve said thank you like a hundred times now. It’s okay. This is what friends are for.”
“I have a lot of friends,” Brent said. “You’re the only one doing this for me. Don’t think I’ll forget it.”
Now it was Riley’s turn to blush. All he wanted was for Brent to be happy. He deserved a little happiness right now.
“So, umm. Are you into…?”
Riley snorted. “Oh no. No, no, no. I can’t handle getting a leg cramp during sex. I would not want any of this.” He paused thoughtfully. “Maybe some of the rope work? But more for aesthetics than because I’d get off on being tied up. Or tying someone up.”
Brent visibly breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, good. I was scared for a second that I was seeing a whole new side of you, and I do not have the brainpower to process that right now.”
Riley raised an eyebrow.
“Uh… not that it’s not okay if you’ve got some kind of weird kink? Not that it would be weird. A kink. It’s okay if you’re… kinky.” Brent looked down at his feet. “I’m gonna shut up.”
Riley laughed softly, reaching out to squeeze Brent’s arm. “I don’t know how to quantify weird, but I’m not insulted. I don’t know Jacinta in a client capacity. We actually met at a Habitat for Humanity build. She’s really fast with a nail gun.”
Brent winced. Riley chuckled again, realizing how that sounded.
“I don’t think she uses one on her clients. No guarantees. Anyway, she’s cool.”
“How do you even meet people like this?” Brent asked.
Riley shrugged. “I like people.”
“Yeah, but… it’s always weird people.”
“She’s not weird,” Riley defended. He loved Brent, but he wasn’t about to let him speak ill of his other friends, either.
“Sorry.” Brent put the chain he was still holding down. “I just… you’re more adventurous about the kind of company you keep than I am, I guess.”
“Hey, you’re part of that company. My favorite part, actually.”
“Why?” Brent asked, meeting Riley’s eyes. “Seriously, why? Everyone you know is cooler than me. Even Emily is cooler than I am. I’m a boring small-town accountant and you’re… borrowing a dominatrix’s BDSM cabin.”
Riley’s heart sank. Rose leaving Brent obviously still hurt, and it hadn’t done wonders for his already shaky self-esteem.
“Okay, so, obviously, you’re actually cooler than a dominatrix. Or I wouldn’t be hanging out with you,” Riley said.
“It’s not out of pity?” Brent asked.
“Absolutely not,” Riley responded. “You’re my best friend, and I love you. I don’t pity you. I’m sorry your week has been rough and I want you to take a break, but I’m not here because I feel sorry for you. I’m here because I wanted an excuse to hang out with you. It’s been too long. I’ve missed you.”
“It’s only been a few months,” Brent said softly, looking down at his feet again.
“Sure, but I’m only ever around for a few days at a time. Maybe a week, tops. And I don’t get to spend all that time with you. So here I am… trying to catch up a little. I realize that right now your brain is telling you that I’m bullshitting, that I couldn’t possibly want to spend time with you because I like you, but that’s your brain being an asshole. Trust me.”
Brent sighed again. “That’s exactly what my brain is saying. I just… I feel like there’s nothing about me to like.”
“Brent, look at me,” Riley said, pausing while he waited for Brent to look up. Even when he was miserable, he was beautiful. Riley stared into his big, green eyes for a moment too long, forgetting what he’d been about to say.
“You’re so smart, and so kind, and you give great hugs. You’re the most dependable man in the universe. Sometimes you’re funny, too. Even if you don’t always intend to be.” Riley grinned.
Brent huffed in response, but the ghost of a smile turned up the corner of his lips, just for a moment. Just long enough for Riley to know that Brent had taken the joke well.
“The point is, you’re not the one at fault, here. You’re a sweetheart. Things kind of happen to you because of it, and also because sometimes the universe is a cruel place. But it’s not your fault. You’re perfect. Other people are less so.”
Riley didn’t believe in perfection—not really, anyway—but Brent came close. He never meant anyone any harm. He always tried his best for everyone. And sometimes he got it wrong, and sometimes things didn’t go quite according to plan, but he was always there.
Rock solid. An anchor for the incredibly turbulent lives he tended to get tangled up in.
Everything Riley wanted in a life partner. He couldn’t imagine why anyone would throw that away.
It wasn’t impossible that he was looking at Brent through rose-colored glasses—maybe he was terrible in bed, or something—but Riley couldn’t imagine anyone not loving him with all their heart. Not based on what he knew about Brent.
Which was practically everything, since they’d been inseparable as children.
“Thanks, I think,” Brent said. “Hey, uh… there’s only one bed.”
“The couch folds out. It’s very comfortable, and I’m happy sleeping on it. I like the way the sun comes through the living room windows in the morning.”
“Are you sure? I mean, you obviously planned this…”
“I’m sure. I’m used to the couch, in case you’re wondering.”
“I was wondering, a little,” Brent said. “I don’t think I have any platonic friends whose cabin I could borrow.”
“You’re always welcome to my RV,” Riley countered.
“Well, yeah, but we’re not… I mean, I guess we are… but…” Brent sighed. “What I mean is, you’re different. You’re my friend. But you’re… different? Special? Something, I dunno.”
“I am both different and special.” Riley grinned at Brent, who was blushing furiously again. “I know what you mean. I just make friends easily, I guess.”
“I feel like every time I open my mouth today I just shove my foot in it. I’m sorry. I’m so tired.”
Riley made a soft, sad noise. “I bet. You should take a nap, I need to go grocery shopping anyway. The only things on my list are beer and ice cream.”
“Can you get actual food, too? I like beer and ice cream as much as the next guy, but I don’t wanna die of scurvy or anything.”
“So you want a lime to put in your beer?” Riley teased.
“Can I ask for something, actually?” Brent sat down on the bed, letting his bag drop to the floor next to him.
“Anything.”
“You make a killer mac ‘n’ cheese. Which I know isn’t, like, adult food, but…”
“But it is comforting,” Riley said. “And I will obviously make it for you. All you had to do was ask.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll cook you dinner tomorrow.”
“Only if you want to,” Riley said. “I’ll cook for you. I like cooking for people.”
“I don’t deserve you,” Brent said, flopping back on the bed. “But I am glad I know you.”
“You do deserve me.” Riley shifted the weight of his own bag on his shoulder. He wasn’t used to travelling with luggage at all, so this was a novelty for him. “And I’m honored to know you.”
Brent laughed softly. “If you’re gonna kiss my ass, you need to buy me a drink first.”
“Hint taken, I’m going grocery shopping now. Any other requests beside the mac ‘n’ cheese?”
“Can the ice cream be peppermint choc chip?” Brent asked.
Riley snorted. “As if I’d buy you any other flavor. Take a nap. I’ll be back soon.”
After backing out of the bedroom and closing the door halfway behind him, Riley dumped his own bag beside the couch and retrieved his phone and wallet from it, shoving them in his pockets.
Brent seemed a little brighter here, as though he was ready to start healing, and that could only be a good thing. If all his happiness required was peppermint choc chip ice cream and homemade mac ‘n’ cheese, Riley was happy to make sure he had those.