The BL Nook

Chapter 17: It’s Not A Warning, It’s A Threat

I waited ten minutes for my dick to go down. Not easy, Josh still lingered on my tongue. I wanted more. All of him.

Eventually, I managed to calm myself and walked out like nothing happened.

“Hey, there you are. Did you have the runs too, just like Josh?” Tyler asked.

“Yeah, something like that.”

Josh sat on the couch looking completely normal. Asshole. I glanced around the room, two other guys I didn’t recognize. Josh stood to introduce me.

“Hey guys, this is Sean. Tyler’s little brother. Sean, meet Omar and Georgie.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

“You too, man,” they echoed.

“Tyler barely mentioned he had a brother. We didn’t know until like two hours ago,” Georgie added, raising a brow.

“I only brought it up ’cause he was coming tonight,” Tyler muttered.

“We’ve been friends for years, and we know nothing about you. That’s kinda messed up,” Georgie said, shaking his head.

Josh chuckled. “Don’t feel bad. Tyler’s private about everything. I still don’t know what he does for a living.”

“Neither do I, and I’m his brother,” I quipped.

Josh smirked. “Honestly? I met Sean six months ago and these days it feels like we’re closer than I am with Tyler.”

He grabbed my shoulder, tight. I flinched and tried to pull away, but his grip was firm.

Tyler narrowed his eyes. “Is that right?”

Josh grinned. “I mean, look at the present he got me.”

Everyone shuffled into the kitchen. My face flushed. Fuck.

“Holy shit,” Omar muttered. “This bottle’s two grand.”

“I know, right? Is he the sweetest or what?” Josh beamed.

“You guys must be real close,” Georgie said. “I wouldn’t even spend that much on my wife.”

“That’s ‘cause you’re broke,” Josh teased, laughing.

Tyler stared at me, stone-faced. “That’s… irresponsible, Sean. Who spends that kind of money on someone they barely know?”

“Relax,” Josh said. “Let me enjoy the gift, will you?”

Tyler’s glare didn’t let up. He was studying me, too hard. I tried to explain, awkwardly.

“Josh has been really great to me since I moved here. I just wanted to show appreciation.”

Silence. God, kill me now.

Tyler finally broke the awkward silence. “Alright, let’s get our drink on. I’m parched. Sean, maybe start with water. Your lips look dry. You dehydrated?”

“Shut up,” I snapped. “I’m grabbing a beer.”

I downed it fast. Everyone just… stared.

“Hell yeah,” Georgie finally said. “Sean’s got the right idea. Let’s drink!”

The night warmed. Conversation flowed. Tyler, of all people, was the loudest. Drunk and animated, a version of him I’d never seen. Josh sat beside me, catching my eye from time to time. Under the table, his hand brushed against my thigh.

I nudged it away.

Later, he tried to hold my hand. I resisted, but he was persistent. Casually sliding his fingers over mine, squeezing my leg like it was the most natural thing in the world. After the third or fourth time, I gave in. Beneath the tablecloth, we were entangled, while above it, I joked, laughed, played the innocent.

It was past midnight, the vibe starting to fade. My thoughts spun. If everyone left… Would we pick up where we left off?

“So…” I said, trying to stir the pot, “what happened with Josh’s ex? He mentioned her, but never gave details.”

“Cece?” Georgie asked.

Josh stiffened beside me, chugging his beer. Our hands were still linked but I yanked mine back. Even her name made me feel… off.

“Cece, huh?” I said.

“I’m surprised you haven’t told Sean about her,” Tyler said. “I thought you two were besties now?”

“She’s the past,” Josh muttered. “No reason to bring her up.”

“You were in love with her,” Tyler said flatly. “You cried to me for days after you two broke up. She was the only serious relationship you’ve had. And now she’s just a footnote?”

That stung. Josh had been in love before. My chest tightened.

“I wouldn’t say I was in love,” Josh said. “She was my high school sweetheart. It ended. I moved on.”

“I was there for all of it,” Tyler said. “When she cheated on you, when your health tanked, through your whole glow-up. Hell, I was with you when you got your first job, when you launched your business. That breakup made you.”

Cheated? So we had that in common.

But what stuck with me most was how much Tyler knew. The pieces of Josh he had that I didn’t.

“What health scare?” I asked.

Tyler laughed. “He hasn’t told you? Wow. Josh has diabetes.”

“What?!” I turned to Josh. “You didn’t tell me. We were together all week and didn’t care to mention it? All the food I cooked was bad for you!”

Oops.

Tyler’s eyes lit up. “You cooked for Josh?”

“He had to work next door,” Josh said quickly. “Made sense for him to stay here.”

“It’s only a fifteen minute commute” Tyler snapped. “You couldn’t drive fifteen goddamn minutes? You freeloaded here for a week?”

“I didn’t mind,” Josh said, that soft-boy voice coming out. “It was nice having someone around.”

“Oh, please,” Tyler barked. “What, you two played house like a couple of faggots all week?”

Josh stayed quiet, but the air between them turned razor-sharp.

Georgie interjected, trying to save it. “Come on, Josh has always been the nice guy. He’d help any of us.”

Oscar nodded. “Also, dude, ease up on the slurs. My brother’s gay, it’s offensive.”

Tyler rolled his eyes. “It’s just… weird. My brother and best friend hanging out like this? Living together? What’s next, full-on ass-fucking like a couple of sodomites?”

“God, there he goes again,” Oscar muttered.

I stood. “I need a smoke. I’ll be outside”

Before I stepped out, I got a quick glance of Josh. He looked pissed. He was just staring at Tyler’s direction. I removed myself from the situation. Josh’s cigarettes were on the balcony, so I grabbed one. Lit it. And took a drag. It hit the spot.

Halfway through the second cigarette, I heard the door slide open.

Tyler stepped out. Of course.

“We need to talk,” he said.

“You here to apologize?”

He snorted. “Fuck no. I’m here to warn you.”

“Oh? Gonna tell me to stay away from Josh?”

“Yup. You’re too close. It’s… unnatural. You in love with him or something?”

“Fuck off. With how you’re acting, you’re the one in love with him.”

Tyler downed his whiskey in one go.

“Don’t make me laugh. He’s like a real brother to me. I know everything about him. If you’re confused because he’s kind and charming towards you, let me tell you this…. He’s kind and charming with everyone, not just to you. Doesn’t mean he wants you.”

“Damn. You’ve clearly thought about this. You disappointed he’s not into you?”

He sneered. “I’m staying the night, you know.”

“What?”

“Josh is letting me crash. We might even share a bed. Maybe cuddle. That bother you?”

Fucker.

“You two can screw all night, for all I care.”

I crushed my cigarette and stormed back in.

Josh was still at the table with Georgie and Oscar. I sat. Tyler followed.

“Everything good?” Georgie asked.

Tyler grinned. “All good. Right, Sean?”

“…Sure.”

“I need another drink. Anyone else?” Tyler said, making his way to the kitchen. 

“You sure?” Oscar said. “You’re trashed.”

“I’m fine.”

The night wound down. Tyler passed out at the table. Oscar and Georgie got ready to leave.

“I’m heading out too,” I said, standing.

Josh grabbed my arm. “Wait. How are you getting home?”

“Uber.”

“Oh Okay” He let go, looking like a kicked puppy.

“I’ll text you tomorrow to check on Tyler.” I said as I put my jacket on. 

“Alright.”

Outside, I stalled. I was debating if I should go back or not. I didn’t  want to leave those two alone. I hadn’t ordered anything. I just… stood there.

“Interesting night,” Georgie said. “My ride’s here. It was nice meeting you, Sean.”

“You too.”

Oscar stayed behind.

“Look, your brother. He’s always been like that. But I think he’s freaking out ’cause you’re taking his place. Having said that, if you and Josh… are a thing, just know I’m cool with it. Power couple status. And if Josh turns out to be a bottom? Hilarious.”

I laughed. “It’s not like that. Josh and I-”

“Oh, my Uber’s here. Your ride almost here?”

“Yeah… soon.”

“Alright, man. Take care.”

“You too.”

He left.

I stood there, watching the cars rush by, frozen for a moment. Then I just started walking. No destination, no plan. But with every step, the urge to turn around grew stronger. Screw it. I’m going back. It’s already been fifteen minutes, and it’ll take another fifteen to get there. He might be asleep by now… and if he’s in bed with Tyler, showing up like this might make things worse. I’ll drag him out of there and make him sleep in the spare room if I have to.

I’m finally here. I basically sprinted the last few blocks, and now I’m a sweaty mess. I’m walking in unannounced, heart pounding. God, please don’t let me see Josh in bed with someone else. I don’t know what I’d do.

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