Part 15 (1/2)

”Hope never is. But sometimes you have to let go of impossible dreams.” Sebastian's hands were eloquent, and Bro blinked away tears, but then he was pulled into a profound hug. Sebastian whispered in Bro's ear, ”But there's no harm in keeping hope alive for one more day. We'll talk more tomorrow.”

Then, with a spring in his step, Sebastian was gone.

Bro was grateful for the reprieve to think things through. Lacey's good-bye had been cut short. Maybe she would still call before the flight to say a proper farewell. Perhaps she would make that kissy sound she did when she got off the phone with him, making his heart flutter every time.

With no conscious awareness of the pa.s.sage of time, since the ceiling looked the same no matter what, Bro went back to lying on his back on his bed, which now felt too big and empty for him. It could have been a few minutes, or half an hour or more, but Sebastian returned. Despite his threat earlier, he came alone, and bearing gifts: A bowl of macaroni and cheese, and a gla.s.s of milk.

”For the sporting hero,” Sebastian exclaimed, and placed the tray over Bro's lap after he had once again moved to lean against the headboard.

”Thanks, Bas.” It wasn't until he smelled the fresh herbs, the melted cheese, and all the other ingredients, that he felt a bit like himself again. ”Oh, you you made this,” he complimented in sincere adulation as he took in the added ground beef, breadcrumbs, three different kinds of cheese, and hot sauce to burn off your tongue and tonsils. ”Wow, you didn't need to.” made this,” he complimented in sincere adulation as he took in the added ground beef, breadcrumbs, three different kinds of cheese, and hot sauce to burn off your tongue and tonsils. ”Wow, you didn't need to.”

Sebastian chuckled, his head tilted to the side as if puzzling something out, but still looking absolutely pleased. ”I didn't make it just for you. The others are eating it too.” He lifted his chin toward the door. ”Wanna join us?”

Bro looked down and shook his head. ”I'd just be a mood killer. Not tonight, okay?”

”Okay. Anything you sign.” Sebastian winked playfully as he said the last word, and Bro grinned. It was an old joke between them, but the familiarity of it lifted his spirits. ”Later.” And then he was gone again.

Grateful for the privacy, Bro dug into his food heartily. His stomach grumbled. Then he flashed on a memory of him spoon-feeding a giggling Lacey with this carb bomb. They had both gotten hot, sticky cheese sauce all over their clean sheets. Sebastian oversaw their progress, like a prison warden, as he made them clean up every last drop and wash the sheets twice. With a snickering Lacey at his side, as she brushed a kiss over his face every few minutes, Bro hadn't minded the cleanup routine one bit.

Antic.i.p.ating that the food would taste like ash in his mouth, he was surprised to find the flavor enhanced by the memories, as if the meal itself wanted to remind Bro of all the good times he'd had with the lovely Lacey. Savoring every bite, Bro ate slowly. He relished the sensation of images and tastes in equal measure.

He had no idea how long it had taken him to eat half his bowl.

But then he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Sighing, resigned, he yelled, ”Come in.” He guessed there was no avoiding concerned family members visiting his fortress of solitude tonight.

Bro placed the tray aside, waiting for whoever it was to come in. When he glanced up from the nightstand, he found Lacey standing there. Her back was to the closed door, her hands were behind her back, her stocking-clad legs crossed a bit, and she was worrying her lower lip.

He didn't care why.

Bro jumped up from the bed, ran to her, cupped her face, and kissed her. It was soft at first, but when he realized she wasn't a mirage, he kissed her more pa.s.sionately.

Then Lacey whimpered, her knees buckled a bit, and she melted against him. And Bro was definitely on top of the world. No, this was paradise. She parted her lips more, and he stole his way inside, craving her more than air itself. Bro felt Lacey's hands fist in the back of his s.h.i.+rt. As he wound his arms around her, he knew it was real.

She's here, and she's all mine.

When they finally parted enough to see each other, they were both breathless, and their bodies s.h.i.+mmied with desire in unison. Bro's c.o.c.k swelled to full erection in his jeans, and he could feel her equal reaction. But it was his heart that filled the most, with hope, love, desire, and all those things he had feared might never be his again.

Suddenly, Lacey made a face. ”Eww!” Then she giggled, undoubtedly at the sight of Bro's shock. ”Mac and cheese, eh?”

Bro smirked. ”Oh, come on, babe. You know you love it-and me.”

She laughed, and all was definitely right with the world. He had to feel her again. He pulled her into his arms once more and inhaled the scent of her hair and skin. As always with her subtle perfume, lavender and orchids made their entree before the more masculine musk took their place. There was not even a hint of blood, but the memory of that smell clinging to her after her confrontation with her father at the football field made him s.h.i.+ver every time.

Bro was brought out of his reminiscences when he distinctly heard loud whoops of joy and happiness coming from outside his bedroom door. Lacey covered her full lips with her hand in that familiar coy gesture, and Bro fell more in love with her.

Still, he didn't forget to call out, ”Walk away, nosy busybodies, or face my wrath.”

A few seconds later Sebastian replied amusedly, ”Ah, youthful bravado. Lace, honey? You want to eat some dinner?”

”I'd love some, thanks.” But despite her speaking to Sebastian, Lacey stared up at Bro, her golden lashes fluttering around her hazel eyes, her gaze dreamy and earnest. ”And I love you, Bro.”

At that Bro grew serious, and he asked in a low, worried voice, ”Did you come back to stay? Or to say a proper good-bye?”

Lacey's smile faded, but her hands came to rest over Bro's chest. ”To stay.”

”Why?” He hadn't wanted her to go in the first place, but he needed answers.

She looked uncertain for an instant, but it dissipated quickly. Still, the weariness had not disappeared entirely. ”When we spoke on the phone, I was crying. Valerie saw me. She asked me if I really wanted to go back to Seattle. I said I didn't, but I didn't feel like I had any choice.” Bro started to speak, but Lacey shushed him with her fingertips on his lips. ”Then Valerie told me I was being a fool.”

”She called you a fool?” That angered Bro to no end.

Lacey saw the protective response and snickered. ”My brave knight. The truth is I had been a fool, in a manner of speaking. I was so caught up on everything that's been going on I felt like the world was closing in on me, and I was backed into a corner, with only one way out. I didn't want to be indebted to you-” Bro started to hastily speak again, but again Lacey stopped him with her hand over his mouth. ”Yes, I know that was silly. I may look like a girl, but I am a boy underneath, and I have that pesky male ego thing going on.” Bro grinned at that, and Lacey smiled back. ”I was thinking about money and family and independence and... a lot of things. In any case, Valerie reminded me that with my skills as a violinist, I might be eligible for a full scholars.h.i.+p. And And that those schools where I got the full ride might be on either coast. And that really clinched it for me. That... and you. Well, mainly you.” that those schools where I got the full ride might be on either coast. And that really clinched it for me. That... and you. Well, mainly you.”

”Me...?” Breath hitched in Bro's throat at the sound of those promising words.

Lacey wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed a kiss over his lips. ”Yes, you.” Then she grew serious, too, and a bit scared. ”Bro, you do know I can't go to the same college as you? Not unless it has a strong music program as well as an athletics-”

”Yeah, I know.” He nodded his acceptance of that fact, and the relief visible in her told him everything he needed. ”Teasdale told me about the conservatories, but he also warned me you're not ordinary, and you need to nurture your musical talent.”

Lacey snorted with amus.e.m.e.nt and disbelief. ”He said nurture?”

Bro shrugged cavalierly. ”Might have been me who said that. But... I didn't need him to tell me you're extraordinary, but I did need the reminder as I was wallowing in self-pity.” Then he quickly added, ”That's not gonna happen again, just so you know. I'm properly toilet trained now.”

Lacey laughed, and Bro considered that success.

A knock came from the door, and Lacey started.

”Dinner's ready, sweetheart,” Sebastian's hollow voice declared cheerfully.

Dutifully, Bro stepped back from his girlfriend-mine-and gave Lacey enough room to open the door, grab a bowl of steaming hot macaroni and cheese, thank Sebastian, and then close the door again. She turned to face him, but her gaze was lowered to the food.

Her pretty nose scrunched. ”Oh, if I eat this, I won't be able to fit into my stockings for a week,” she groused cutely.

”I don't mind. I usually take them off you pretty quick anyway.” He winked at her.

Lacey blushed, partly in arousal and partly in indignation. ”Oh? Is that how it is? So....” She lifted the hem of her thin, natural-white dress to reveal the tops of her long stockings as they attached to her round thighs, accentuating her slender form, her tight muscles, and her pale skin. ”So... these these do nothing for you, and you wouldn't mind seeing me completely without them all the time? Very well, I'll discard-” do nothing for you, and you wouldn't mind seeing me completely without them all the time? Very well, I'll discard-”

”No!” Bro's alarmed voice rose to a panicked shrill. ”I mean, uh... no. No, you don't have to do that. I do do like them. A lot.” To prove his point, Bro let his fingertips slip over her thighs to the point where fabric met skin. ”Yeah. A like them. A lot.” To prove his point, Bro let his fingertips slip over her thighs to the point where fabric met skin. ”Yeah. A lot lot a lot.” a lot.”

Lacey giggled, playfully wiggling under his touch. ”Really?”

Bro's eyes narrowed, and Lacey's taunt vanished as apprehension took its place. With deliberate slowness, Bro took the food bowl from Lacey's hand, placed it on the dresser by the door, and then opened the door, took Lacey's hand, and tugged her with him as he headed across the hall to the bathroom. Once they were both safely inside, he closed and locked the door, and then he grabbed her hips and lifted her onto the clear s.p.a.ce between the two sinks.