Choices - 29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“All right,” Alek’s voice drifted through the opening. “You said you wanted to talk? I can guess it’s about Liam and me. Should I have worn my hockey cup?”

“Very funny,” Bryce retorted with a snort. “I didn’t bring you in here to scold you… I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?” Alek sounded as confused as Liam felt. “Why would you want to thank me?”

“Well….” There was a pause as someone, likely Bryce, cleared their throat. “You’ve made Liam really happy. I know I busted your balls pretty hard the last time you two dated, but that was because I hated to see Liam so down whenever you had to leave, or pretend you two weren’t together.”

“I know. I….”

“No, please let me finish. I need to get this out. What you did was very brave. Liam told me why you were having a hard time coming out to your family and, to be honest, I thought you were exaggerating so you wouldn’t have to make a decision.”

“I wasn’t exaggerating. I knew my parents wouldn’t react well….” Alek’s voice sounded sad and Liam briefly considered interrupting. This was Alek’s day and he didn’t want anyone upsetting him.

“I know that now,” Bryce replied with what sounded like a sigh. “You need to understand something. When I came out, my parents were great. Any family members who didn’t react well were told off in no uncertain terms, and warned to be nice or stay away. I know not all parents are like that, but I still couldn’t relate. When I saw you risk losing someone as special as Liam… when I saw him hurting because you refused to tell your parents you were gay… well, I didn’t react well. Obviously.”

“I did lose him.”

“And now you have him back. I guess what I’m saying is I’m impressed you risked losing your family when you didn’t know if Liam would come back to you. That took a lot of guts. I don’t know if I could’ve done it if our situations were reversed.”

“Yes, you could have,” Alek replied with a laugh. “You’re one of the fiercest men I know. I can’t imagine anyone or anything stopping you from going after what you wanted.”

There was another long silence before Bryce finally spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. “Not everything.”

“Is this about Nathan?”

“How did you know that? I mean, who said anything about Nathan?”

“Bryce, come on. It’s kind of obvious the way he watches you when you’re in a room, and the way you look for him when you don’t think anyone else notices. Elena pointed it out, but I already noticed a vibe between you two. I’m smarter than I look,” he said in a teasing tone. Liam couldn’t help smiling to himself as he stood in the hallway.

“Great. Everyone must know now.”

“Would that be such a bad thing? I have to admit it’s nice knowing that Nathan is after you. I know he and Liam are just friends, but he was interested in more at one point.”

“I’m not sure what you think you saw, but I doubt Nathan is interested in starting anything with me. He thinks I’m a slut.”

“Why would he think that?”

“Because I am?”

“No, you’re not. You enjoy sex. So what? What man doesn’t?”

“There’s a difference between enjoying sex and being promiscuous.”

This time it was Alek who sighed. “I’m not sure what to say, Bryce. I don’t think I’m the right person to talk to about this.”

Bryce chuckled. “You’re probably right. Besides, I brought you in here to tell you how happy I am for you and for Liam, not to dump my problems on you.”

“Liam cares a lot about you, and someday I hope we can be friends too. I’m here if you need someone to talk to, but I’ll warn you, I’m terrible at giving relationship advice. Hell, look at the mess I made of mine.”

“But you managed to figure it out, and you got your man.”

“Maybe you will too?”

“Maybe.” Bryce didn’t sound convinced.

With the conversation seeming to be over, Liam took off down the hall as quietly as he could. Not only did he not want to get caught eavesdropping... he also didn’t want to intrude on the possible friendship the two men might be cultivating.

Back in the kitchen, he grabbed oven mitts and carried the hot pans to the dining room table. Everyone must have been hungry because they bee-lined for the table as soon as he called for them. Alek and Bryce came in just behind the others, both looking thoughtful. Bryce winked at Liam before taking an open seat between Elena and Nathan.

“Everything looks delicious,” Alek commented as he sat beside Liam and kissed his cheek.

“Your sisters did most of the work.”

“Nonsense,” Elena replied with a wave of her hand. You helped out more than you realize. We were so busy talking you just didn’t notice how much you did.”

Liam grinned happily when Alek wrapped a strong arm around his shoulder and nuzzled against his neck. “Thank you for doing this.”

Dinner was a rousing success. There was laughter and even a few happy tears as the Petrov siblings shared stories of their past birthdays. The funniest story was about Alek’s thirteenth birthday. He’d decided that since he was a teenager, he didn’t need a birthday party or a cake. The sisters contended, and Aleksei vehemently denied, that he was sorely disappointed when their mother didn’t serve her special chocolate birthday cake for dessert on his special day. The best part was how Alek tried to make the cake himself, and ended up with flour, cocoa and melted chocolate on almost every surface of the kitchen. Their mother had been shocked when she came in to see everything in her kitchen, including her son, covered in a layer of fine brown dust. Unbeknownst to the birthday boy, his mother had already made him cupcakes which she’d hidden away so she could surprise him before bedtime.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you had such a hard time making those rolls.” Liam said, wiping away tears of laughter. “It seems to be your MO.”

Alek nudged him and rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t as bad as they make it sound.”

“Alek,” Natascha teased. “Mama found flour in the refrigerator!”

“I needed to get the eggs.”

This exchange started a whole new round of laughter around the table.

“Well,” Liam said when the noise died down. “I don’t have a chocolate cake, and I didn’t make it by hand, but I do have something special for your dessert.”

Liam picked up the treat from the counter, where it had been hidden by a clean towel, and carried it to the table. Alek’s eyes lit up and his mouth widened in smile as Liam set the tray down.

“Is that pirog?”

Liam nodded, pleased with Alek’s reaction. “Pirog with apples,” Liam confirmed.

“Pirog? Corey inquired, leaning forward to get a better look.

“It’s a Russian dessert. Like a pie.”

“It smells fantastic,” Nathan said, licking his lips. Liam grinned when he saw Bryce following the path of the paramedic’s tongue with his eyes.

The entire group pitched in to clear the table of supper dishes and quickly reset it again with dessert plates and utensils. Once everyone had been served, they dug into the pastry. There were noises of approval as they had their first bites.

“This is really good,” Alek said, quickly taking another bite. “Where did you find it? I didn’t think there were any Russian bakeries in town.”

“One of my neighbour’s has a grandmother who used to own a bakery in Russia. I mentioned to her that I wanted to make something special for you. She offered to talk to her grandmother to get a recipe I might have a prayer of following. Instead of a recipe she showed up with this.”

“You’ll have to thank her for me. I haven’t had pirog in years.”

Liam basked in warmth of Alek’s happiness as the big man took a second helping of the pie.

“Ugh,” Elena complained, leaning back in her chair. “I don’t know where you have the room for a second piece. I feel like I’m going to burst.”

Alek shrugged as he scraped his plate for the last morsels. “I’ll probably pay for it later, but it’s too irresistible to pass up.” He turned to Liam and kissed his temple. “Just like you.”

“Oh, gag,” Bryce teased. “You two are going to cause more cavities than that pie.”

Liam’s face heated with a blush, but he smiled as he snuggled against his boyfriend’s side. “Don’t be jealous just because I’m irresistible.”

“Now look what you did,” Bryce said, giving Alek a mock glare. “You’ve created a monster.”

After eating their fill, the group debated over who should be in charge of clean-up. Liam felt it should be him, since he was the host, but was quickly shot down. Elena and Natascha’s arguments were similarly denied. In the end, Corey and Jason washed and dried the dishes, while Bryce and Nathan scraped plates and put away any leftovers.

With the washing up well under way, Alek dragged Liam to the couch. Taking advantage of the momentary respite, Liam relaxed into his boyfriend’s strong arms, and closed his eyes. Before long, the beat of Alek’s heart beneath his ear, and the quiet voices of the Petrov siblings began to lull him sleep.

“He looks so tired, poor thing,” Elena’s voice broke through his sleepy haze.

“He’s been stressing about this party for weeks. It must be a relief for it to be over,” Corey said from somewhere in the room. Liam hadn’t heard him come in.

“Maybe we should head out,” Nathan said. “I’m sure you two would like some time alone.”

Liam blinked his eyes open, squinting against the lamplight. “You guys don’t have to leave. I didn’t mean to nod off… guess I didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

“Sweetie, it’s been a great evening, but the rest of us really should head out,” Bryce replied, patting Liam’s shoulder.

“Where are you staying tonight, Bry?” In all of the excitement of party planning Liam had completely forgotten that Bryce usually stayed with him when he was in town.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I have a place.”

Liam saw Nathan turn to Bryce, almost glaring at the man. “Staying with a friend?”

Bryce bristled at Nathan’s accusatory tone. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I was going to get a hotel room, until Elena invited me to crash with her.”

“Oh.” The blush creeping up Nathan’s face and his abashed expression were adorable. “I’m sorry. If I’d know you needed a place to stay, I would’ve offered.”

“No worries, hot stuff,” Bryce replied flippantly. “I’ll keep you in mind, next time I need a warm bed.”

Liam shook his head at his friend’s teasing and decided to rescue Nathan from spontaneous combustion… or death from embarrassment. “It was great of you to offer Bryce a room, El.”

“I was happy to do it. Bry’s the brother I’ve always wanted.” Elena threw an arm around the man’s shoulders and kissed his cheek.

“Hey,” Alek grumbled. “What about me?”

“You’re a great big brother, Alek, but you can’t help me pick out a killer outfit, and you’ll never watch Gossip Girl reruns with me.”

“Fair enough,” Alek conceded.

“It’ll be great.” Elena sounded excited. “We can watch the latest episode of Game of Thrones. I have it PVR’d”

“Since you’re staying with Elena tonight, do you want to come out to the movies with us tomorrow?” Alek asked Bryce, who seemed surprised by the offer.

The younger man considered the invitation for a moment before agreeing with a nod. “I’d love to… if you guys don’t mind me intruding on family time.”

“Nonsense,” Nat interrupted. “Elena’s already adopted you. That means you’re stuck with us.”

“Then count me in. I can head home after the movie.”

“Now that that’s settled, let’s leave these two lovebirds to enjoy the rest of their evening, alone,” Corey said, grinning mischievously. “I’m sure there are other more private gifts Liam wants to give the birthday boy.”

“Oh my God,” Liam responded with a loud groan, covering his face with his hands. “You did not just say that.”

“And yet he didn’t deny it,” Corey said, sounding smug.

“On that note, I think it’s time for us to go.” Jason dragged his husband towards the door, while the rest of the group looked on in amusement.

“We should head out too,” Nat said as she stood.

Alek rose and pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for being here today.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it.”

Slowly, everyone put on boots and jackets and exited the apartment, leaving Alek and Liam alone. Nathan had been the last out the door, thanking Liam for including him, and then trudging, alone, down the stairs to the parking lot.

“I think he wants Bryce, but he can’t seem to keep his foot out of his mouth,” Liam observed with a sigh as he closed the door.

“They’ll figure things out if they want each other bad enough,” Alek replied, reaching out to stroke Liam’s jaw. “I don’t want to talk about anyone else right now, though. I want to concentrate on you….” Leaning down, Alek kissed him softly. “... and finish what we started earlier. Are you still tired?”

“I think I feel my second wind kicking in,” Liam replied, his voice deepening with lust.

Alek led him into the bedroom and laid him gently on the duvet. When Liam tried to pull his shirt over his head, Alek pulled his hands away and placed them beside his head on the pillow. “Don’t move,” Alek scolded, soothing the chastisement with another gentle kiss. “Let me do the work. I’ve been looking forward to unwrapping my favorite present all day.”

A big thank you and a  goes out to my editor/beta-reader and dear friend, Gary, for all of his help and hard work with each and every chapter.  Thank you to everyone who reads and supports this story.