Page 60 of As I Am
"You're home." The small boy cried as he leaped at Ky.
Ky caught him and pulled him to his chest as he hugged him tightly. "I missed you so much." He buried his face in the boy's shoulder.
The little girl smiled up at Carson. "Hi, are you friends with Ky?"
Carson bent down and nodded. "I am. My name is Carson." He offered his hand to her while looking over her shoulder for someone else to be standing around.
"I'm Jess. Ky's one of my bestest friends. Bryan is too." She took his hand and shook it with her tiny one.
Ky stood, the young boy still in his arms. "Carson, I'd like you to meet my little brother, Bryan. He's the other man in my life." Ky stared directly at Carson, amusement lighting his eyes. "This is who you heard me on the phone with last night."
Carson stood stunned for a moment as Ky's words sunk in. He shook his head as he stepped closer. "Hi, Bryan. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry I've kept your brother away so long. I hope you will forgive me."
Bryan stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "It's okay. I got to stay with Jess, and her daddies took care of us. We had a lot of fun. But I don't want him to go away again for a long time." Bryan hugged Ky tightly.
Carson stared at Ky. "I feel like such a fool. I'm so sorry for the things I said."
Ky shook his head. "You didn't know. I should have told you. I've just always tried to protect him from…" He kissed Bryan's cheek. "Anyway, this is who I wanted to introduce you to." He smiled at Bryan. "Bry, this is my good friend—"
"Boyfriend," Carson interrupted.
Ky smiled and nodded. "This is my boyfriend, Carson."
Bryan looked at Carson. "Boyfriend? Like Jess's dads?"
Jess shook her head. "My dads are married."
"Yeah, it's a lot like Angel and Matt, though." Ky was still staring directly at Carson.
Bryan held his hand out to Carson. "Hi."
"Hi. It's nice to meet you."
"Are you the reason my brother has been gone so much?" Bryan asked.
"I am, and I'm sorry about that. I promise to never take him away for so long again." Carson hated himself for keeping Ky from Bryan for so long, even if he hadn't known he was doing it.
Seeing the young boy in Ky's arms explained so much. He now understood why Ky worried so much about money and getting off the streets. It was bad enough for just him, but to have a brother to watch over, it changed everything.
Ky set Bryan down. "I need to talk to Carson for a minute, then to Angel and Matt. Why don't you and Jess go pack your stuff so we can head home after?" Ky ran his fingers through his brother's hair.
"Okay, and ask Matt to show you the Halloween pictures. We had so much fun." Bryan rushed off with Jess following close behind.
Ky glanced up at Carson and smiled. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I know I should have. I'm so used to keeping Bryan out of that part of my life. When things started to change for us, I should have told you about him, but by then I feared that you might not want to be with me because I have him to take care of. We're kind of a package deal."
Carson shook his head. "How could you think it would change anything? I love you. That means I accept everything about you. I find myself even more impressed by you knowing that you've worked to raise him so well. I wish you would have told me. I wouldn't have kept you away from him so long. You should have said something."
Ky shrugged. "At first it was a job. I liked spending time with you, but it was the money. I kept thinking how that money could change things for Bry and me. I could finally get ahead and maybe stop having to sell my body. I didn't expect to fall in love with you."
Carson breath hitched. "In love with me?"
Ky nodded. "I have been in love with you for a while now. I just wasn't sure how you felt until you kinda snapped this morning."
A wave of guilt rushed through Carson. "I'm so sorry about that. I heard you on the phone and I really thought you were rushing home to another lover. I guess my jealousy took hold and I blew up. I was hurt that you might walk out of my life once we got back." He reached out and gently pulled Ky to him. "I love you very much, and I'd be honored if you and your brother would think about moving in with me. We can get a place here so he doesn't have to lose his friends and you can keep your job if you want. You won't have to lose your friends either."
Ky smiled at Carson. "I love you too, and I'll talk to Bryan about it. It has to be his choice too."
Kissing Ky softly, Carson was overwhelmed with relief. He'd been so lost when he first sought out Ky on the street, but that choice had changed his life. Now with the man in his arms, he had everything he could want. The fame and fortune could disappear, but he would still have happiness and love as long as he held Ky. "I love you."
Ky cupped his hand against Carson's cheek. "I love you too."
