Page 87 of Seeing Grayscale

What thefuckis Brent doing here?

Only moderately relieved it isn’t my dad, I rip open my front door. Clad in his security uniform, I mentally recall the approximate time and realize his shift is over. In the past, this was the time we’d meet at a hotel. He’s never been to my house, never set a single booted foot on my porch. “What are you doing here?” I bellow, quickly scanning the street, and hoping like fuck none of my neighbors saw him. “You can’t just show up here!”

“I’m sorry, but you didn’t answer my texts and—”

“I blocked your number!” It’s a harsh whisper-yell. I can’t stop double-checking our surroundings. I’m still reeling from thinking the worst—that my whole life was about to implode before I could even comprehend the damage. It’s notBrent’sfault, but this entire day has rubbed me raw, pushed me to the brink. I can’t contain the emotions any longer.

My lack of restraint causes a problem I didn’t need. “You blocked me? Seriously?” The boom of Brent’s voice is too loud.

If this continues, people will hear. None of my neighbors actually speak to me, but they knowofme, which is enough for me to grab Brent’s arm and yank him inside my house. When the door shuts, my pulse only slowing a fraction, I spin on him.

“It’s within my right to do so, seeing as we aren’t anything to each other anymore.”

The flinch of his body is so strong that he takes a step back. “That’s not what you said when you were high on my dick.”

Pointedly glancing at his crotch, I growl, “No dickis worth risking everything I’ve worked for.”

“Oh who the fuck is this?” Brent gestures at the hall as I twist to gape in horror. Gray is standing there,fuming.Histhin shoulders rise and fall with his heavy breaths. His youthful features are overtaken by raw anger as he sets his jaw. “No dick is worth it? I think you just want young dick.”

“Leave. Leavenow,” I demand, thrusting my hand towards the door. I never should’ve brought him inside to begin with.

“You’re fucking pathetic, Hunter,” Brent spits. He takes a few steps to leave, but Gray says, “Hey!”

“Don’t worry, you can have him, kid. Everyone else has.”

I feel the insult like a punch to the stomach. It’s intended to make me feel less than, disgusting,wrong.What else am I meant to do, though? I can’t have a normal relationship; even if I could, I want apartner—an equal. Brent could never be that. He’s too demanding, too selfish. I have enough of that in my life.

Gray walks over to us, hiding his limp, and steps into Brent’s face. “Howdareyou?” The growl is vicious, sharp as a whip. “You show up at his house unannounced, begging him to take you back—nah, don’t even try to pretend. You want him back. Anyone would. But instead of taking the hint, bowing out with any level of fucking decency, you’re up in here insulting Hunter? You don’t get to talk to him that way.”

Surprise washes over Brent’s features. “Nice little guard dog, Hunter. Now call him off so I canleave.”

Gray shoves at his chest. Hard. “Apologize, motherfucker.”

“Calm down. I’m going.” Brent faces me, and with all his sarcasm and bitterness, he says, “I’msorry.”

With one final withering glare at Gray, Brent leaves. I lock the door behind him and thump my forehead against it. “Who the fuck was that?” Gray demands.

Begrudgingly, I mutter, “Brent.”

“Huh. I thought he’d be smaller.”

I slowly face Gray, ashamed of myself and how I cowered instead of defending both of us. “He’s never shown up like this before.”

“I could’ve laid him out, you know. I would have if he didn’t go.”

My eyes flick over his posture, still rigid, still angry. “I have no doubt.”

He seems to appreciate the recognition, some of the tension easing off, but not entirely. “Did you mean what you said?”

“Which part?” I don’t know what he heard.

“That nodickis worth risking your life for.”

That’s not what I said, but it was heavily implied. My hesitance to answer him doesn’t help either. In the heat of the moment, I did mean it. But looking at Gray—the only person besides my parents and Alex who I’ve allowed into my home—I don’t feel that statement applies. Not to him.

“No, Gray. I didn’t mean it.” The admission comes out as a soft rasp. He approaches me carefully, fingers slowly uncurling from where they’ve been clenched at his sides.

“Will there be more?” he asks when the tips of his socked toes touch mine.

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