Page 34 of Barn Burner
Brayden
“I don’t want to leave, Jude.”
My brother gives me a sympathetic smile through the camera. “I get it. I was the same when I had to leave Cody and fly back home. Have you told him you live in Calgary?”
I shake my head, and he sighs.
“Brayden, you should tell him. At least if he knows, it leaves the door open for things to develop. Yeah, there’s a chance it might not go anywhere, but it might end up turning into something amazing. You won’t know unless you try.”
I know he’s right, but it doesn’t make it any less nerve-racking. The guilt has been eating at me for being so open about everything else except where I live and what I do for a living. Jesse deserves better than me lying by omission.
Scrubbing my hand over my face, I let out a frustrated groan into my palm. “This sucks.”
“It does, and I fully understand why you decided not to tell him. You were in a vulnerable position when you met, but only you can decide whether the connection you’ve got also includes trust.”
“I do trust him,” I say immediately.
“So why not start by telling him you live in Calgary, then see how things go from there. If it continues to go strong, then you can find a way to bring up the fact you play in the NHL. I’m sure he’ll understand why you kept that part of your life a secret for the time being. You’re in the public eye. It’s hard to find people who are genuine when you have people waiting with popcorn for your downfall. And if he doesn’t get it—” He shrugs nonchalantly. “—then I’ll set Cody on him.”
I tip my head back and laugh. “Like Cody fucking Clements would defend my honour.”
Cody’s head appears on the screen. “I would.”
I flip him off, and he returns the gesture with a grin. It still weirds me out to see him smile because I don’t think I ever saw him express anything but a frown in the ten months we played together for the Calgary Bobcats.
“Jude’s right, though. If he cares about you, he’ll understand, but telling him you live in the city will give him the knowledge that it’s possible, if you both want it.”
I narrow my eyes. “I don’t like it when you speak words.”
Cody snickers. “Want me to tell you to go fuck off instead?”
“Yes!”
“Fuck off,” Cody replies.
“You fuck off,” I retort.
“Alright, pack it in,” Jude rolls his eyes, but there’s a soft smile on his face. He pushes Cody’s face out of the frame and raises an eyebrow at me. “Seriously, Brayden. Tell him. You leave in two days. You don’t have time to waste.”
Sighing, I sit back against the couch cushions and run a hand through my hair. “Okay, okay. I’ll tell him.”
And I’ve just got to hope he doesn’t get too mad at me for not telling him before now.
Something heavy and warm lands on my shoulder and gives me a gentle shake.
“Brayden, wake up.”
Stirring awake at the deep rumble of Jesse’s voice, I roll over and find him sitting on the edge of the bed, completely dressed.
“What time is it?” I ask around a yawn.
“4:00 a.m.,” he murmurs, carding his fingers through my hair. “There’s something I wanna show you.” With that, he stands up and hands over the plaid shirt I’ve claimed from his closet and my jeans.
I sit up and take the clothes from him as I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Once dressed, I head into the bathroom to take a leak and brush my teeth. The house is completely dark as he leads me through to the kitchen. The only light is from the moon shining through the windows. Grabbing my ball cap from the dining table, I slip my feet into my Converse when we reach the front door, and I let out another yawn.
“Holy shit, how are you so awake right now?” My words come out all garbled as I stretch my arms up over my head and let out a grunt. “Wait, how long have you been awake? I didn’t hear you get up?”
“About an hour ago. I had to get these two ready,” he says and opens the door wide. Prince and Dakota are standing there, munching away on the grass by the porch. They’re both saddled up in the same way they are when we go on trail rides.
