Page 137 of Body Check

“That was a big breakthrough for you two.”

“It was.”

Gavin dragged his fingertips up and down Dakota’s arm, and even through the fabric of his sweater, the touch sent shivers through Dakota’s body.

“You’re okay with the fact he sabotaged your chances of playing together?”

Gavin’s laugh was a little hollow. “I don’t know that I’mokaywith it. It hurts. A lot. But I understand why he did it.”

Dakota thought of similar words Violet had spoken to their parents after they reunited. Their parents hadn’t handled Violet’s coming out well at all. They’d been worried about her, scared for her, and their fear had come out sounding like criticism. Like disapproval.

It had hurt Violet deeply. Made her pull away.

Dakota had worked hard to explain to their parents why their reaction had hurt her. Why they’d made her feel unsupported and unsafe. He’d done everything he could to work as an intermediary and, eventually, their sincere apologies had mended the wound their reaction had left.

But although the hurt had faded with time, it would never completely go away.

That was the hardest part about loving people. About having a family and letting new people get close. Those who knew you best were always capable of inflicting the most hurt, even when it was unintentional.

In Violet’s case, she had done nothing wrong.

But Gavin and Thad’s situation was a lot more complicated because they’d hurt each other. Their lack of communicationand insecurities had led to so many bad decisions. So many mistakes on both their parts.

“But I’ve never stopped loving him, you know?” Gavin said quietly. “He’s mybrother.”

The tears came then, silent and chest-shaking, and all Dakota could do was lie there and hold Gavin tight, stroking his skin and murmuring wordless sounds of support until Gavin was spent and there was nothing left.

Dakota cried with him—he’d always been a sympathy crier—and after it was over, he propped himself up on one elbow, used his sleeve to dry his eyes, then carefully did the same for Gavin who gave him a wobbly smile.

Dakota’s heart ached because this was a version of Gavin he’d never imagined seeing.

A Gavin who hadn’t been afraid to be vulnerable with him.

Because, yes, Dakota had teased him about his big dick energy, but it had been about so much more. A certain type of masculinity that was so pervasive in pro sports. The kind that told guys who they could be and how they could act.

And it could be as bad for gay men as straight.

Maybe worse, because so many of them had spent their lives hiding themselves, overcompensating to protect their secrets. Gavin had come further than most, perhaps. But threads of it still lingered and Dakota was relieved to see he could allow himself to be vulnerable this way.

“What?” Gavin said, giving him a quizzical look.

Dakota explained what he’d been thinking, then finished with, “I’m proud of you.”

For a moment, he’d wondered if Gavin would roll his eyes at the whole thing, but he merely nodded and said, “Thank you. I’m proud of me too.”

Dakota laughed.

“No, I mean it,” Gavin said roughly. “Today was hard. One of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

“I know it was.” Sobering, Dakota smoothed a hand over his chest. “And I’m sorry I laughed. Youshouldbe proud of yourself.”

“Thank you for being here. For helping us.”

“I didn’t do much,” Dakota protested. Honestly, he was pretty sure they’d forgotten he was there for a good portion of the conversation, and he’d been glad of it.

Gavin shrugged. “It made it a lot easier knowing you were here. Knowing you would remind me to take a deep breath and stay calm, if I needed that. Which I clearly did.”

“Both of you did really well,” Dakota said softly.

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