Page 6 of Lane

“How I live here, in this building, is nothing like what I grew up with and was shackled to for the majority of my life. You weren’t there, so you can’t see the differences, but this isn’t the same. Edison despised me, called me names, and said my mom babied me. I didn’t know how to be good enough for him. Everything I did was wrong. Do you know what it’s like to havesomeone point out every one of your insecurities and shove them in your face?”

God, I really had it good with my family. Not that I thought I didn’t. They were there for Reghan and me every step of the way. They encouraged us and told us how much we were loved. We had an amazing support system. To think of my parents talking to me like Edison did to Lane… it made me want to punch the wall.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with that.”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have, but I did. The past is behind me. I’m trying to live each day for me. Jordan and everyone here are nothing like what I dealt with. This is the kind of life I’ve always wanted. I’m free.” One where he could date and sleep with whoever he wanted. I couldn’t fault him for that. I just hoped… It didn’t matter.

“You deserve to be happy.”

“So do you.”

“I have a great job, get to see my brother daily, and have a family I love.” And two men who were out of my reach.

A sound caught my attention a moment before Sheldon rounded the corner. “Oh, good. A two-for-one. Hey, do you think it would be weird to stay outside of Forest’s apartment and just stand there? I have this feeling I should be there in case he needs me.”

Sheldon was calm and level-headed, except when it came to Forest. I waited for him to lose his mind completely and quit working for Jordan so he could be on Forest’s detail twenty-four seven.

“Yes,” Lane and I said at the same time.

“You’re no help. I need you to agree with me.”

I shook my head. “Come on. Let’s leave Lane alone. You can hang out with me.” Sheldon would keep me out of my head for abit. At least, I hoped. I was too wrapped up in Lane and what he did.

“Your shift is done?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you making nachos? I’m not going if I’m not being fed.”

“How the hell has Ollie put up with you for so long?”

“That’s not the question. It’s how have I put up with Ollie.”

Sheldon turned and looked at Lane. “Nachos?”

“No. I should get to bed.” He opened his mouth again as if he wanted to say more, but all that came out was, “Goodnight.”

Sheldon and I left in the elevator to my floor. I used to not be very social. Since my brother got into a relationship with Barrett, I missed hanging out with him. Enter Sheldon and the others who I’d seek when I didn’t want to be alone. I had friends here, ones I didn’t consider as much when my brother was around all the time.

“At least he washed the cum off,” Sheldon said as we exited the elevator.

I froze, my feet glued to the floor. “What?”

“You got him post-shower. You didn’t have to see the well-fucked look on his face.”

“Did you have to tell me that?”

“Yes. You need a swift kick in the ass to move you in either of their directions.” Everyone in this building was a fucking gossip. I had to repay the favor and start getting involved in their lives.

Sheldon entered the code to my home, unlocking the door. Of course, he knew what it was. Why bother locking it if everyone could walk right in? He went to the cabinet in the kitchen where I kept the dry goods and pulled out a jar of queso. His nose scrunched. “Seriously? What happened to the good shit?”

“They were out. I had to get what was in stock in case you had a middle-of-the-night nacho craving.” This wasn’t the first time he’d ended up here.

“It’s a sad substitute. I’ll have to order the other stuff online, so we don’t run into this issue again.”

He popped the lid and put it in the microwave. We weren’t living the gourmet life tonight. If we wanted that, we’d have to ask Vail. Sheldon wouldn’t. He preferred the jarred queso.

“Did you and Lane work anything out?” he asked, grabbing a bag of chips and pouring some onto a plate.

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