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Leo
While Andy was spending the day with Jackson, I had a quick meeting in the morning at the shop and was more than surprised when Noel invited me out for lunch afterward. I knew that he was trying to accept the fact that Andy and I were back together. Trying to be more understanding about the situation, but I couldn’t help but be a little suspicious. Once inside the restaurant, Noel hummed softly to himself as he began to flip through his menu. Now this was really freaking me out. My brother was never this happy.
“What’s going on right now?” I asked as I glanced around the building. It was one of my favorite restaurants, and Noel usually brought me here when he had something important to tell me.
The time he told me he was gay.
The time he told me he was officially my guardian.
The time he told me that he was buying a house with Wyatt and Seth.
“What do you need to tell me? You only ever bring me here when it’s a major announcement.” I reached for my water to coat my suddenly dry throat.
The smile that spread over my brother’s face nearly split it in two. It was nearly creepy how happy he looked, the way his multi-colored eyes sparkled with mischief. “Leo, you know I love you—”
“Holy shit, are you dying?” I exclaimed, and then shrank back into my seat when people turned to look over at me. “But are you?”
Noel snickered. “No, I’m not dying. I’m asking you to stand up for me at my wedding. Seth, Wyatt, and I set a date.”
“Wait, what?” My eyes went wide. “You want me? Not Ezra or Carson or, I don’t know, someone who isn’t your annoying little brother?”
Noel reached across the table to touch my hand. “That’s why I want you. You’re my brother, my best friend, and the only person I want up there by my side. I mean, sure, I’ll have a few other groomsmen, but there is only one person I want to be my official witness. And that person is you, Leopold.”
“Don’t make me cry. We’re in public.” I sniffed and giggled when Noel squeezed my fingers. “And I’ll ruin my makeup.” Something I had thrown on at the last minute.
Noel leaned back in the seat. “You haven’t said yes yet.”
“Are you serious? Yes, a million times yes. I would be absolutely honored to be your best man.” I slid out of the booth so I could hug him. “Thank you for asking me.” I sat back down and blotted my eyes with a napkin.
The waitress showed up to take our orders, and once she was gone, Noel raised his brows at me. “Is there any reason you’re wearing makeup today? Not that I’m complaining, but it’s been a while. I figured that there was a reason you stopped.”
“I...” I clamped my mouth shut.
I had felt different this morning when I was getting dressed. Maybe it was having Andy back in my life, or maybe it was just a little more confidence, but I put on a pair of pretty red panties before putting on my jeans. I grabbed an old sheer white blouse that I hadn’t worn in years, one that I was sure I had lost and yet here it was in the closet, and then I decided I would wear just a little bit of makeup.
“I wanted to.” It was the only answer I could think of giving him.
Noel tilted his head. “And the reason you stopped?” He held up his hand. “Before you give me some bullshit lie, Leo, justknow that I support you no matter what. You don’t have to tell me the truth, but I would never judge you.”
“I stopped because I overheard some drivers making fun of me.” The words slipped off my tongue so easily.
Noel narrowed his eyes as anger flashed across his face. “And you didn’t tell me this because?”
“I was embarrassed, okay? I was so used to being myself that it didn’t occur to me that others wouldn’t see it that way. And instead of confronting them, I hid myself. I won’t do that anymore. This is me. Some days I might want to wear makeup, look pretty and feminine, but that doesn’t mean I can’t drive a car like they can and maybe even better.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
I stared at my brother as our food came out, and he began to pick at the burger he ordered. He dipped a fry into the cup of ketchup provided.
“I’m not trying to convince anyone.”
“You should have told me.” His words caused me to grow warm.
I nodded. “I know, but you’re busy. You have a life that doesn’t include me, and I didn’t want to burden you with my shit. I took care of it.”
“By pretending to be someone you weren’t? That’s not taking care of it, Leo. Besides, you’re my little brother. Your shit is my shit, and I don’t want you to ever worry about coming to me. It could be two in the morning, and you can talk to me. If I’m on my honeymoon? Call or text. I will always have your back.” Noel paused to take a bite of his hamburger.
I giggled. “You’re going to be a busy man. You sure you want me interrupting your honeymoon?”
