Page 3 of Once Upon An Ever After
“No buts. Seriously. Do you remember the night we met Dawson for the first time at the Frost Financial holiday party?”
“Of course I do, that’s the night Gibson and I finally got on the same page.”
“Yeah, and while you were off doing that, I spent the night with Prince Charming out there. I thought we were on the same page too but when I got too close he pulled away. He told me then that it wasn’t like that for him. I backpedaled and we became friends, good friends, but he’s always maintained that friends is all we’re ever going to be.”
“He actually said the words,I’m not gay, to you?” Felix raised an eyebrow.
Beau snorted, “Yep.”
“But the way he looks at you…”
“I know.”
“And touches you.”
“Tell me about it.” Beau dropped his head into his hands, “He’s killing me. Slowly and painfully killing me. Some days I think he hates me and this is his favorite form of torture.”
“Maybe he’s in denial?”
“I don’t know. Honestly, I’ve considered just grabbing him and kissing the living hell out of him until he either kisses me back or shoves me away and punches my lights out, but I haven’t worked up the nerve.” Beau shook his head, “I’m afraid I’ll lose him if I push.”
Felix chewed on his bottom lip as he picked up his mug of coffee. He took a small sip and held it between both hands. He very purposefully didn’t meet Beau’s gaze when he spoke again.
“So… I may have asked Gibson about it.”
Beau’s heart tripped, “Asked Gibson about what?”
“If he thought his youngest brother might be a little less straight than he believes himself to be.”
Beau closed his eyes and clamped him jaw shut. Internally he screamed. Externally he only shook his head and opened his eyes to glare at his oldest friend.
“Tell me you didn’t. Tell me that you’re just fucking with me.”
“I had to ask.”
“You didn’t, actually. You’re just nosy and you love to meddle. I specifically told younotto bring it up with your fiancé. Do you remember that conversation, Felix? Because I sure as hell do.” Beau hissed, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Dawson was still outside. “It’s none of your business, or mine, what Dawson’s sexuality may be.”
“Bullshit. He fawns all over you and then pulls away whenever you return the affection. You’re my friend and he’s about to become my brother-in-law. Hell, your brother is dating his uncle. We’re all one big, happily twisted family so don’t tell me it’s none of my business.”
Beau groaned again, “That’s exactly why I don’t want to cause any problems between me and Dawson. You and Ash are my family and now you’re both part of Dawson’s family. It’s not like he’s some random guy I can avoid forever if I make a move and it backfires.”
“Which is why you need all the help you can get.” Felix sat back in his chair with a perfectly self-satisfied smile on his face.
Beau knew there was no point in arguing. Not now. Felix had already gone to Gibson Frost, his fiancé and Dawson’s eldest brother. There was no taking back the question now so he may as well get the answer.
“What did Gibson say?”
“I knew you’d get there eventually.” Felix grinned.
“Well?” He prompted.
“Well,” Felix’s smile dimmed a little and Beau’s chest tightened painfully when his friend shook his head. “Gibson said he doesn’t really know where Dawson is on the sliding scale of sexual identification. He said Dawson’s never really dated anyone seriously, so it would be hard for him to know.”
“He doesn’t know.” Beau repeated, stupefied.
“Apparently it never came up.”
“But… their parents were gone before Dawson became a teenager. Didn’t Gibson give him the birds and the bees talk? How does he have zero insight into what the brother he helped raise prefers?”
