Page 118 of Sweet T

Pedro chuckled. “She didn’t put up with any of his bullshit, either.”

“Hell no. She wouldn’t have it. She’s the reason Tucker’s so sweet, Ev. She even gave him that nickname.”

“If she’s anything like Shelly,” Evan said. “I understand.”

“Carbon copy,” Pedro said. “Just like Tucker and Titus.”

“I don’t know about that,” Tucker said.

“Well, you are. You may be a little smaller, and your hair a little lighter, but take it from someone that knew him at your age.”

“I’ll never be as successful as Daddy.”

“You already are,” Titus said. “Success is bigger than just business or money, son. It’s so much more than that. It’s knowing what you want and where you want to be.”

Hearing Titus’s words, Evan remembered his conversation with Sebastian the night before. Maybe he hadn’t been as truthful with Sebastian as he’d thought. Maybe he had equated Atlanta and a career with success. Could he be chasing something and running away from it at the same time? Never had he been as content as he was right now, right here. He’d been onstage in front of an audience that very night, and now he was in the arms of his love, spending time with family–his family–on the eve of a momentous occasion. Could it get any better than that?

“I want the job, Titus,” he blurted. “I’m not going to Atlanta.”

“Wait. What about–” Tucker began.

Evan ignored him. “On one condition, though. When Sebastian retires, I want the Black Sheep.”

“Done.” Titus said.

“Hold on,” Tucker said. “That could be a long time, Ev. What about your dream?”

“My dream is here. This. With you.” Evan's eyes welled. His gaze went to Titus and Pedro. “And with them. You’ve given me so much love, T, but you’ve also given me a place where I feel I belong. I’ve never had that before.”

“It’s a big decision. Are you sure?”

Evan nodded. “I am. I don’t think I’ve ever been as sure of something in my life as I am right now. I love what I do, T. But I can do it here because I love you more.”

They kissed, holding faces in wet hands.

Titus squeezed Pedro, both of them tearing up as well. “Well—” Titus said, “—that’s about the best goddamned wedding present I could have asked for.”

Twenty-Five

The following morning, Tucker awoke to the smell of bacon cooking. He put on his boxers and shuffled into the kitchen.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Evan said, spatula in hand. “Fried or scrambled?”

“Scrambled.”

“Scrambled, it is.”

While Evan was cracking eggs into a bowl, Tucker came up behind him, nuzzling his neck. “To what do I owe this honor? The whole role reversal thing?”

Evan shrugged. “It’s a big day. I felt like making my man breakfast.”

“I like how that sounds.” Tucker squeezed him from behind. “Of course, I was kinda hoping for a little more of that wake-up side-saddle action.”

Evan gave Tucker a comical glance over his shoulder. “After all we did last night? You know, if what Pedro said is true about you being like your daddy, I’m beginning to sympathize with him.”

Tucker nibbled at Evan’s ear. “You know you love it.”

“Yeah, I do... and you keep grinding me from behind like that, Sundays may just be role-reversal day for both of us.”

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