Page 101 of For Your Heart
He grumbles internally, and I smirk.
“So… how’s it going with Zarek?” Simon asks.
The feeling of deflation fills me and my heart stutters a little. Fuck, I hate how my brother hurts.
Zarek approached him two days ago while Declan was shooting hoops on campus. There was a tentative reconciliation. But Zarek still feels distant. They spent the evening together Friday night and then most of Saturday, Simon insisting that he do so and giving up his night with us for now. He’ll be heading to Zarek’s house after lunch today.
However, it feels as though Zarek isn’t willing to let himself get as close as he once was trying to get. There’s a lot of hesitation. There’s some physical distance. Even though he tries to be open about wanting to be together, everything about him screams that he’s really not sure if this is what he wants.
“I don’t know,” Declan says, his tone low as he stares at the table. He sighs. “I don’t know what to do right now.”
“Are you sure you won’t let me talk to him?” Simon asks.
The half smile that Declan aims at the table isn’t really a smile at all. He reaches for Simon’s hand and gives it a squeeze. “It’s fine. I’m an adult, right? I can figure this out.”
“I’m pretty sure you once told me that it’s okay to ask for help,” he pauses. “Or something like that.”
Declan looks up, amused. “That’s because we want to take care of you. We would still rather you stay home and just be our househusband in nothing but your underwear every day.”
I nod in agreement. Yep, I’d definitely like that.
Glancing at the screen, I hit the button for Sage’s butt plug and leave it on until his dick is leaking profusely. When I switch it off, I hit the balloon on his cock thingy—I really ought to look up the name for it again—and squeeze him until he’s sobbing. Jesus, seeing his dick all red and angry, hard as fuck, is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.
When I look up, Simon’s watching me with his usual amused smile. “You really are torturing him, aren’t you?”
Smirking, I shrug. “Don’t worry; I’m torturing myself too. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this hard.”
He laughs and shakes his head. At Declan’s scowl, Simon laughs again.
“I really think you should let me talk to Zarek,” Simon says after we’ve eaten a couple bites while the distant sounds that Sage makes calm. “Sage is doing better around me. Isn’t he?”
The question is directed at me, and I nod. “I think there’s always going to be a bit of jealousy, but as long as I keep reminding him we have a different relationship than what’s between me and him, I think he’ll be fine. As much as he doesn’t want to see anything intimate between us, it’s important that he does. He feels a lot better since Wednesday when we all slept together. I don’t know that he actually understands, but his empathy for you runs deep.”
Simon sighs. “He’s really sweet.”
I nod, a fond smile on my lips as I absently tap the side of my phone. “He is. I’ll be right back.” I receive twin smirks, which says a lot about how much time Simon spends with us that he can match our expressions.
Ignoring them, I peek in on Sage and make sure he’s okay. Keeping my voice low, I ask him again if he’s alright. He reassures me though I’m not sure he thinks I’m actually here.
Like I could stay away when he’s like this.
I return and take a seat next to Simon again as I stare back at my phone while I pick at my sub. I’m starving and I really need the carbs to fuck him as hard as I plan to in a bit. But being out here is hard when I know he’s ready for me. Weak for me. For me! He did this for me!
Well, he clearly likes it, too.
Simon’s hand on mine makes me look at him. “I’m really glad you found him, Damon. He’s exactly right for you.”
“Yeah?”
“Not just your physical preference, but you love someone slightly broken so you can make them whole again. You really love to build someone up.”
“I do?” I ask, surprised by this interpretation of my personality.
He laughs. “You do. As twiny as you two are, there’s a very distinct difference in your personalities. You’re the nurturer. The true caregiver. Declan encourages creativity and boldness. He’s ready to support anything wild and unhinged and you’re there to make sure there’s a cushion to fall on should things get a little rough. Your professions are a direct reflection of that, despite you having the same degree.”
“Explain,” Declan says.
“You deal with sports teams. The guidelines and expectations are already set, but you’re there to encourage the players, push them, and give them what they need to reach whatever lofty goals they have. Damon is usually the one setting expectations for us, so you needed a place to do that for you in his absence. And Damon, as a personal trainer, does exactly what he’s best at; setting someone up for success by giving them all the tools, then properly training them how to execute the plans.”
