Chapter 7

Rhyn was making cookies when they got home. Whenever he was overwhelmed, he baked.

Rhyd was already plowing through a pan of brownies. He was chattering about something asinine as Rhyn dipped a spoon into a bowl then dropped batter to the cookie sheet. Every now and then, he'd eat some of the batter, humming in happiness.

Myles noticed the tension had left the middle Easley since he'd left the gym. The pizza box lay empty on top of the already full garbage can. Rhys bypassed him and collected the trash. He replaced the bag and took the full one outside.

Rhyn met his gaze briefly before he turned to the oven. He pulled out another pan of cookies before putting the other in. He set the timer then turned around in time to slap Rhyd as he reached for the steaming goodies. The youngest brother laughed then resumed his brownie devouring.

Rhys returned and sat beside Rhyd, snagging a brownie as he did. Myles sat beside him and watched as Rhyn cleaned up his mess. He was slow and meticulous, making sure everything was clean and shiny. He wiped down the counter then wrung out the rag before dropping it in a laundry basket at the end of the counter.

"I thought you were going to study," he said.

"I am, but I wanted to make sure you were okay," Rhys replied.

Rhyd looked between his brothers. "What happened?"

"The team was comparing our looks and things went a little PG-13."

"It's not a big deal," Rhyn argued.

"It is when you look like you're about to cry." Myles looked at Rhyn as his face started to get pinker. His nose became rosy and his ears turned red. Rhys looked at him softly. "Are you okay?"

Rhyn swallowed hard and picked at his fingernails. "It's annoying, but…" He let his voice trail off as he shook his head.

Rhyd lacked tact. He picked up on the middle brother's uncertainty and ran with it. "Did they call you something inappropriate?"

"No, they said his voice was soft," Rhys said. He took the last brownie. "They insinuated the rest of him was soft."

Myles kept his mouth shut. He didn't want to ruin the moment between the brothers, but if anyone had any knowledge on Rhyn it was him. The middle brother was tone, but he had a bit of belly fat. It wasn't noticeable unless he was standing next to Rhys. The older brother worked out regularly. He knew Rhyn swam but not every day.

He didn't realize how alike yet different the triplets were. They loved each other but they didn't agree all the time. Their personalities were one notch above each other's with Rhyn the most reserved and Rhys the most outgoing. On the other hand, Rhys was the most easy-going while Rhyn was the most stubborn. Even now he didn't want Rhys and Rhyd to get involved.

"That's the reason I don't come to your practices," Rhyn said. "I'm always compared to you."

"No, you're not." Rhys waved his hands in front of his face. "Everyone knows there are three of us. Three people are always different, even if they're born at the same time. We're identical; the same egg split three times. Our heights and your mole are the only differences."

"Well…" Rhyd said. Rhys looked at him while Rhyn all but glared. "There have been some rumors that went around in high school. Ones that said you could swing either way."

Rhyn started to vibrate. It started in his extremities until it absorbed his entire being. His shoulders shook uncontrollably. His face flushed slowly until he was completely red. He jerked away when Rhys reached for him, his mouth quivering slowly.

Myles watched him leave the kitchen. The timer went off just as he rounded the corner. Rhyd got up, turned the timer off, and pulled the cookies out. He transferred them to a cooling rack then washed the dishes.

Rhys looked distraught. This was probably the first time he had seen this type of reaction. Rhyn must guard his personal life closely.

"Where's his room?" he asked.

"Third door on the left," Rhys replied.

Myles didn't wait for Rhys to react. He went upstairs immediately. It was easy to find Rhyn's room. It was covered in book quotes. He raised his hand to knock, but the sniffling in the other side gave him pause. He'd been there before, not knowing who to talk to or how to feel.

He tested the doorknob. When it turned freely, he let himself into Rhyn's room. It was well kept. There was no laundry in the floor, his desk was neat, and the bed was made. Rhyn kept his space tidy, but it did not match his current emotions.

He looked around but he didn't see Rhyn. He saw the bathroom door open and the light on. He didn't venture further because he didn't want to breach that quiet space. So he waited patiently by the table.

Rhyn emerged a few minutes later. He paused, shocked at Myles's presence. His face was puffy with tear tracks, his grey eyes bright with unshed tears. They watched each other for a long minute until Rhyn sat down on the bed. Myles sank down on the end-of-the bed bench.

"Do you have feelings for men?" He asked.

Rhyn wiped his nose. "It's not a bad thing, is it?"

Myles shook his head. "No, it's not. But if you hide it, it can be." He wanted to reach out to comfort him, but he thought it would be detrimental. "Do you like me, or do you like both men and women?"

"Both." He took a shaky breath. "I've always dated women, but every so often I've found men attractive. I never pursued one because I wasn't sure."

"Maybe you should try." He held up his hand when Rhyn stared to rile up. "I don't mean me, not unless you want to. But I have to ask: is what happened between us part of why your emotions are so heavy?"

Rhyn tucked the pillow against his stomach and rested his chin on it. "I don't know. Maybe. It was unexpected and strange, but at the same time unnerving."

"Why?"

"You thought I was Rhys."

Myles licked his bottom lip as he met Rhyn's gaze legally. Three people who looked exactly the same were completely different. Comparing them would always end in hurt. For Rhyn to feel compared to his brothers was inevitable with their looks, but people didn't have to do it publicly.

In Myles's case, he hadn't heard anything about Rhys having two brothers. Well, he knew he did, but he wasn't aware he was triplet. When he'd found out, he'd apologized. He hadn't wanted that bad juju between him and Rhys or between Rhyn and Myles.

He shifted forward until his knee touched Rhyn's. He took a chance and took his hand. Rhyn looked down at it but didn't pull his hand away.

"At the time, I did not know you were Rhyn's brother, especially not his triplet. I did not compare you to him. I thought you were him. That was my mistake," he said.

"I find it hard to believe Rhys didn't tell you about us," Rhyn said.

"He did, but it was 'my middle brother' or 'my youngest brother.' Only a select few knew. I'm his best friend but I didn't put the pieces together until it was too late. Again, I'm sorry."

"I'm not made. I'm just overwhelmed."

"That's to be expected. Sexuality is a hard thing to understand. If I have one piece of advice it's this: don't try to understand it. As long as you're happy, no one can take that away from you. If you want to be with a woman, that's fine. If you want to be with a man, that's fine too. No one has to answer for what you except you."

Rhyn gripped his hand until his knuckles turned white. "Thanks, but this doesn't mean we're friends."

Myles laughed. "I know. It'll take more than compassion and empathy to get on your good side."

The dark headed man got up and went to his desk. He rummaged around a bit before he went back to Myles. He handed him a stack of papers. Myles realized it was the chemistry notes.

"Give these to Rhys. I've circled the formulas he should focus on," he said.

Myles took the packet then ruffled his hair. "Relax tonight. I think you need the break."

When Rhyn didn't argue, the older man left the room. He pulled the door closed softly then went downstairs. Rhys was packing cookies into separate containers and labeling them. With three boys shoved sweet, it was the only fair way to make sure everyone got some.

Myles dropped the packet to the counter. Rhys looked at it then smiled sadly. Even though he's hurt his brother's feelings, Rhyn still helped him study.

"Is he okay?" he asked.

"He will be. He's got a lot on his mind. Be patient with him. He's trying to figure out a lot going on with him. Whatever happened between the two of us made him stop and think," Myles replied.

Rhys nodded. "So he's conflicted with his sexuality?"

"It sounds like he has been for a while. He just hasn't known how to express it. Your friends - meaning our teammates - don't make it easier in him when they make comments about being soft."

Myles paused for a minute. "Rhys, he's going to need support."

"You're putting a lot of emphasis on this."

"My dad found me in bed with a guy when I was a senior in high school. He told me if I was going to have someone in his house, it better be a girl. I heard all the slurs, and it didn't matter that I wasn't the bottom. If Rhyn hears that without having a strong support system, he will shut down."

Rhys stared at the counter for a long time. Myles could see the emotions warring in his eyes. He was faced with the truth he had only speculated.

"Will you help him?" he asked.

"I've done enough damage already, but I'll answer any questions you have." Myles clapped his friend on the shoulder. "It will work out. Be patient and as understanding as you can be."

"Myles, thanks for your help. Even if Rhyn doesn't think you're helpful, not many understand there feelings. You may get a few three an phone calls."

His friend laughed. "That's fine. You just need an escape. He's going to lean on you, but you need a release as well."

Rhys nodded and finished cleaning up. Myles gathered his belongings and left so he didn't get pulled into another conversation. If Rhyn wanted to talk, he would to talk to his family first.

Myles didn't see Rhyn sitting at the top of the stairs and Rhyd. They looked at each other as the front door closed. One was steadfast, and the other uncertain. Rhyd rubbed his brother's knee, understanding his emotions. But Rhyn… Rhyn was second thinking everything.