Chapter 26

Rhyn managed to find a ride home with a classmate so Rhys never got a chance to talk to him. He'd seen and heard the entire exchange between his brother and Myles's family. He hadn't stepped in because he'd figured his brother had it figured out. He'd looked strong standing up for what he believed in, but when he'd walked away without a fight, he'd known what Rhyn was feeling.

It had taken so much effort for his brother to come out of his comfort zone and admit he liked Myles. It had been another level for him to admit they were dating. Rhyn liked his comfort zone. He could easily be himself without fear if judgement. By allowing Myles into his sacred space - his heart - he'd allowed a little piece of himself to be free. He'd allowed himself to live another person freely and unashamedly.

Rhys had felt bad about trying to tell his brother what to do. He had really just been trying to protect him. When this had first started, he'd really thought Myles had just been tryin to get to him. But as everything had played out, he'd seen the mutual attraction between them. Myles had sought Rhyn out, and Rhyn had eventually stopped rebuffing him. When that had happened, everything had naturally developed.

Though he'd watched from the sidelines, Rhys had patiently and quietly guarded his brother. He had made sure he was safe. He's purposefully done things to help him without him knowing he was doing it. He'd talked loudly on the phone about what brand and size condoms Myles liked. He's make sure he knew what kind of lube to buy to go along with them. He had always made sure he was safe even though he'd hidden that he'd known the truth.

He hadn't been upset when he'd caught Myles and Rhyn having sex. At the time, he hadn't realized how active they were. To catch them in the house doing it had surprised him so he'd lashed out. It hadn't been his finest moment, and he felt bad about it even though they'd set the record straight.

The most growth had been in Myles. He'd gone from a playboy who could barely keep a lover for a month to a caring boyfriend. Rhys hadn't seen him talk to too many other people since he'd been with Rhyn. He had been doting and caring to the middle Easley brother that Rhys had felt it safe ti leave Rhyn in his care.

Neither had thought about the resolve of Martin Dane however. Rhys had never known the extents the man would go to just to make his son do what he wanted. Humiliating Rhyn seemed to be his best way, and the worst part was he never had to lift a finger to do it. Braylin Connor was good at that. By claiming Rhyn was a gold digger, she had hit him where his pride hurt the most. Rhyn was the most financially dependent person he knew.

Rhys walked into the gym and looked around. His teammates were excited as they partied happily. The trophy sat in the table in the middle. It was the first conference championship in seven years so it was great to see it sitting proudly.

Myles sat with Ryan and John talking quietly while sipping his drink every so often. He looked fine, but his face was drawn. He didn't know what to do. If it was Rhys, he would have gone after Rhyn. On one hand, he may be worried how he would be received since he'd hurt him again, but he should still go after him. On the other, he wasn't sure if Rhyn was mad.

He strode over to him. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he knew Myles should not be partying while his lover was upset.

"So are you dating Rhyn seriously or is it just a fling?" John asked.

Ryan made a noise if agreement. "I'd like to know too, because what I saw earlier didn't look like you were in stable ground."

John laughed. "I have never seen Myles be super serious about anyone. As long as he got what he wanted, he was always content. The sex had to be good for you to stay for a while."

"You better answer that intelligently." Ryan made them look up. Rhys scowled at him.

Myles set his cup on the table. "I didn't invite Braylin to the game."

"I already know," Rhys agreed. "What I'm more unsure of is what your plans are with Rhyn. Last time this happened, you ignored the party and went to him. Why is this different?"

"Does it even matter anymore?" Rhys frowned, his dimple deepening. "Your brother walked away from me for the umpteenth time, and I'm finding it hard to continue believing it ls worth it."

Rhys licked his lips and looked at Ryan. His older friend shrugged and sat back. When he'd found out about Myles and Rhyn, he'd stopped pursuing Rhyn. He was the one Rhys talked to when he was trying to persuade Rhyn to do something. It had been Ryan Rhys was talking to when he'd mentioned the condoms and lube. Ryan had laughed and played along.

Ryan wouldn't get involved, but he also wouldn't let anyone to drag Rhyn through the mud. Myles had one chance to say the wrong thing.

Rhys nodded. "Alright. If you feel that way, I'll tell Rhyn to let the whole thing go. Whatever he said to you before now is a moot point. Now that you've bought into Braylon's allegations, he is a gold digger just out for your money."

"I never said that! He had never once asked me for anything," Myles argued.

"Maybe not, but because you're not willing to work this out, that's what people are associating with him now. No one will talk to him anymore. Congratulations, Myles. You just ostracized him for the rest of his college career." He turned on his heel, his mind made up that he would talk to Rhyn.

Myles grabbed Rhys to stop him from leaving. They stood toe to toe at their team celebration arguing over Myles's relationship. It was a little uncomfortable, but since Myles had kissed Rhyn in front of them, they were kind of involved.

"Braylin said all those things to get under my skin," Myles said. "Your brother walked away from me. Again."

"Rhyn doesn't handle things publicly because it's not the public's opinion that matters. You brought the public in by kissing him in front of everyone. You made it public so he took back as much privacy as he could." Rhys looked him up and down. "But I guess your vanity is the only thing you care about."

Usually Myles would let that roll off him. But this was his best friend and the brother of his boyfriend. His opinion meant more than others' did because he could sway Rhyn some.

"I've given everything to Rhyn," Myles said.

"And he's given you everything plus more. But you're too selfish to see that." Rhys shrugged it off. "But that's alright, Myles. You don't have to worry about Rhyn anymore. As far as I'm concerned, your relationship is over."

Myles's ears whirred as his blood rushed to them. Before he could comprehend what he was doing, his fist shot out and connected with Rhys's face. Rhys stumbled back, but he popped back up to shove Myles. He stared at him for a long minute as the team gathered to stop a potential blood bath.

"Don't ever lay your hands on me again," Rhys warned.

There was a wild look in his eyes that Rhys had never had before. Myles had tipped his hand over the edge, and he was getting the most protective version of his friend.

Rhys turned on his heel and stalked from the gym. Whatever self-preservation Myles had left him as he follows the other man. He heard his team call to him to stop, but he had to follow him. He had to know what Rhys was going to do. He knew Rhys wasn't dumb, but this was far from stupidity.

The drive to the Easley house was quiet. There were too many emotions roiling through the car as Myles followed the BMW through the quiet streets. He could hear himself breathing too heavily, the vapors fogging up his windows.

Rhys pulled into his driveway behind Rhyn's white ford. Myles stopped on the street and got out quickly. The entire family was home so whatever happened was going to be witnessed by all. But Myles could not let Rhys tell Rhyn to end his relationship. It wasn't fair. Myles needed time to fix it.

The front door was left open so Myles walked right in. Rhys walked into the kitchen, talking to his mom. He only used a light tone for her so it easy to tell who it was.

"Myles?"

He looked up. Rhyn and Rhyd stood at the top of the stairs. The middle brother's face was drawn in concern while the younger's was closed off. Rhyd wouldn't get involved, but he wouldn't let Myles hurt his brother either.

"Rhyn, you relationship is pretty much over." Rhys stood at the bottom of the stairs, blocking Myles's path should he try. "You might as well end it here and cut your losses. I don't think it's salvageable."

"Why do you say that?" Rhyn asked. He sounded distraught, his face contorting with it.

"For once, just trust me."

"Rhyn, do what you want to do," Myles said. The brothers looked at him. "I won't say a word if you end this, but don't let Rhys tell you what to do."

"How can you stay with someone who has sex with you in front of his own father?"

Myles bellows and launched himself at Rhys. The elder brother met him in the middle of the living room, spearing him to the floor. He landed several solid punches to his face. Myles blocked the last ones and head butted Rhys.

Rhyn slid down the bannister and reached for his brother to stop him. He didn't want them to fight. Not over this at least. It was a misunderstanding, but he couldn't tell them while they fought.

He wasn't as strong as Rhys, but he pulled his brother's shoulders with everything he had. Rhys didn't budge as he continued to fight Myles in the living room. Rhyn grabbed his wrist and pulled his arm to him, holding it tightly to his chest. Rhys shifted his weight and shoved forcefully.

Rhyn's shoulder slammed into the wall and his head bounced off it sickeningly. Rhyd jumped over the railing as Myles shoved Rhys off him and crawled across the floor to him. He cradled his head to check for a concussion. Satisfied he was somewhat fine, he pulled him to him. Rhyd pounced in Rhys to keep him from moving.

"What in the world is going on here?" They all looked at the kitchen door. Leyana looked between the four boys. "Rhyn, are you alright, honey?"

"I'm okay." Rhyn sat up with his back to the wall. He took inventory, pulling away from Myles as he did so. "I don't think anything is broken."

She crossed the room to look at Rhyn's head. "What are you fighting over?"

Rhyn let his mom fuss over him. She rarely got involved in her sons' personal matters, believing they needed to learn hot to problem solve on their own. However when things turned physical, she always stepped in to make sure nothing was broken and to help ease tensions.

"Mom?" Rhyn said. She smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "Myles and I have been seeing each other since before thanksgiving. There was an incident at the game tonight, and Rhys wants me to end it."

Leyana stroked his face lovingly. "I already know you've been seeing Myles."

Rhyn frowned slightly. "What?"

"I've already known, son. Now tell me the whole story."