17-A wake-up call to reality

Brandon's pov

It's been 2 weeks since Garrett came back and if I got to be honest, it has been strange.

I thought things would go back to before but even if we still do our usual sexual activity like I need to, it's just not the same anymore.

I promised him we would go out but we haven't so far. Blame that on our jobs, I guess. So, we have been seeing each other only to have sex that's it and that's what's strange.

We used to see each other all time but now it's just for sex...I really don't know why I don't like that it's changed.

I originally wanted to get away from Garrett because he scares me...not him but how I feel whenever I'm with him. I'm getting too attached to him and it scares me.

I don't know why but I can't help but want Garrett next to me. I can't let him go...and I don't like that I can't do so.

It's as if every time I feel like he's pulling away from me I try to find a way to make him stay, stay with me...I hate that I do that. Is it because we are becoming dangerously too attached?

I mean it's kinda understandable since no one has done what Garrett so far. For real, ever since he came into my life, he brought change with him. He changed my entire leaving style which I had for years. I could very much hate him for that but I can't hate him for that...I don't like that my life is changing so much, especially in a way that's so different from what I got used to but maybe I need it? I might secretly like my new living situation...

Ugh, I have to stop overthinking this! I just want to chill and have fun that's it!

Anyways, I mentioned earlier that we have yet to go out together, though it seems like it's changing today because Garrett and I are going somewhere today.

The other day, he asked me to tag along to a barbecue night that his parents host. I'll admit I wasn't buying into this idea but he begged so badly for me to go that I had no choice but to agree. See this is what I mean, I can't help but want to be with him...Ugh, it's so confusing.

Anyways, I don't know what's so special about a barbecue night with his family but it seems like it might as well be special to him at least. He wouldn't tell me why so I didn't ask.

Through, it feels strange his parents are inviting me to their house knowing what happened between Garrett and me. I'm sure he told them as he always seems to.

Regardless of what his family thinks of me now, I'll have some fun tonight.

—————

We arrive at his parent's house and we notice they are all in the backward, as we are the last to arrive. I notice that Garrett is tempted to hold my hand but I do nothing on it.

We get in the backyard and I notice Garrett's dad, I believe David on the barbecue. There's a pool which I never noticed before. Oh, that's why Garrett said I should bring my swim shorts. It makes sense now.

I notice 2 figures in the pool, one of them is Garrett's sister, I believe Amanda but it's the other woman that I can't quite grasp who she is. She can't possibly be a member of Garrett's family as she has mid-length light brown hair and light brown eyes, as well as freckles. Eh, probably a friend of the family.

"Garrett! Brandon welcome! Come sit down with me!"

Garrett's mom gestures to us to come sit with I believe Amanda's husband. Through, I immediately notice the cold stare Amanda's husband gives me.

"Hi, Mom! I'm sorry that we're late. Brandon had to work!"

"Oh yeah, you work as a cashier don't you?" Even if Garrett's mom is smiling brightly, I can tell by her eyes that she's judging me.

"Yeah, I am."

"How's it like working as a cashier?"

That rude husband of Amanda's says. Why does he gotta be here? Ugh, I won't let myself get intimidated by him.

"It's fine. Not the best job in the world but it's cool."

That guy just looks at me annoyed in return. What's wrong with him? Can't he hide his hatred for me just a little bit at the very least?

"What about you Jonathan? How are meetings on Saturdays treating you?" Garrett says. He works on Saturdays too? A bit ironic he's judging my line of work.

"It's fine, the usual."

"Anyways, let's stop talking about each other's work tonight! Tonight is Garrett's night!" What does she mean by that?

"Oh yeah?" I ask intrigued.

"Oh yeah! It's Garrett's birthday today!" My eyes drop as I look at Garrett who blushes all flustered. It's his birthday? How come he didn't tell me such a thing?

"It's your birthday today?"

"Garrett didn't tell you?" His mother asks.

"Ah yes...sorry...I didn't tell you." He says feelings all guilty.

"So, June 24th huh? Thought your birthday was way after mine."

"So, I take it you didn't know it was his birthday?" That mannerless guy says.

"What does it do to you?" I say smiling, he just stares at me coldly.

"Don't bicker over such a thing. Garrett, why didn't you tell Brandon? It's such an important day for you!" His mom says all confused.

"Ah uh...I guess I forgot...I'm sorry..."

"Hey, it's fine. You get to be celebrated at least."

"Why do you say that huh?" Why is he so annoying tonight?

"Let me put back the question to you, why are you saying such a pointless thing?" He fumes, while Garrett's mother stares at me offended and strangely, Garrett looks at me in astonishment.

"Garrett, did you introduce your friend Rachel?" She says all excited. Who's Rachel? Oh...probably the woman in the pool.

"Ah uh, no..."

"What are you waiting for? Introduce her!"

Why is she so excited about this? Is it me or does she seem more overjoyed about this Rachel girl than I? I don't think I like this very much.

"Ok..."

We move a bit and we get closer to the pool.

"Hey, Rachel! Look it's the Brandon guy I talked to you about!"

Amanda says out loud and Rachel turns to me and her smile changes to pure judgement. She seems to be fixating on me. Why is everyone judging me for today?

"Oh, so you're Brandon."

"Yeah, Brandon Clark."

"I heard lots about you from Garrett." She finally smiles lightly at me.

"Oh really? What did Garrett say about me?" I say in a playful tone. I expect her to answer but she doesn't.

"Don't worry Brandon. Garrett told us good things about you!" Amanda says brightly, that's suspicious.

"What kind of good things Garrett?" He blushes deeply as I smirk.

"Oh, stop teasing my brother! You should know he's shy!" Why is she acting like this today? She wasn't that talkative to me last time?

"Oh, so he's shy? It makes me even more curious. Does he talk about our very spicy sexual life?" I smile brightly and Garrett blushes madly. The girls look at us quite surprised I said that so out in the open.

"He doesn't say stuff like that but yes I know you two have quite the sexual chemistry together." Rachel finally answers.

"Awh! Garrett you didn't tell her a single thing about that?" Rachel gives me a look, one full of judgment. Heh, so she doesn't like me either?

"That's kinda private Brandon." He says still a blushy mess.

"Eh, I guess it can be for some."

"So, I take it you heard it's Garrett's birthday?" Amanda questions.

"Yeah, his mother told me," I say.

"Same for me..." Rachel answers too.

"Wait a second, did you only find out today it was his birthday?"

"Yeah...Garrett didn't tell me. He always cares so much for others but sometimes he forgets he deserves to be cared for and celebrated too." Hmm, seems like she knows him better than I...

"Garry! You never told them?! It's your birthday come on!" Amanda says all surprised.

"I'm sorry...I didn't want you all to worry about bringing a present or something..."

"Oh, Garry! You don't have to worry about that! It's your day you deserve it!" Amanda says loudly.

"Yes, you deserve it," Rachel says.

"I guess I'm glad to be here too." They give me a look.

Suddenly, Garrett's Dad and his Mom join us.

"Hey! I didn't get to say hi! Want a beer?" His Dad asks.

"Yeah, why not?"

He hands me one and I take notice that it's Amanda's husband that's grilling on the barbecue all alone. He deserves it for being a dick.

"I can't believe Garry didn't tell Rachel and Brandon it's his birthday today!" Amanda says.

"Me neither. 29th birthday is important, the last one before hitting the thirties. Hopefully, in the upcoming years, Garrett will brace us with a marriage and kids." She stares at me deeply and my smile disappears for a short few seconds.

Marriage? Kids? Do they still want that knowing he's gay? F**k...if they want that...why is Garrett wasting his time with me then? Does Garrett want that? Hmm...he's nervously smiling. Damnit!

"So, you want Garrett to get married like Amanda?" Rachel questions.

"It would be nice yes. He's getting older and he needs to find his partner."

Lucia once again stares at me with a piercing look and Rachel stares at me deeply too. Gosh, I feel so targeted right now.

"Lucia let's change the topic. It's Garrett's birthday. We should have some fun instead. We'll think about that later." Garrett's Dad, David says. Lucia's smile flinches.

"Ah, my bad. David is right. We should have fun tonight. The mere fact Brandon is there tonight is a walk in the right direction." She's not budging from that? And she dares say that with a big smile like that?

"Mom! Stop mentioning that! I brought Brandon because I wanted to!" Oh? Garrett is defending himself? That's a rare sight to see. His Mom chuckles.

"Yes, I'm aware that you invited Rachel and Brandon to celebrate with us. I'm just so overjoyed you brought friends for the first time in years!"

He never brought anyone before? I look at Garrett and obviously, he seems uncomfortable with that.

"Mam, I get that you are happy about it but isn't it Garrett's birthday? He can do what he wants right? Nobody cares about his past right now." They all look at me with wide eyes. What did I say wrong?

"Yes sorry...my bad," Lucia says with an awkward smile.

"Anyways, dinner time is almost here so how many burgers and hotdogs do you all want?" Oh, thank goodness David is correcting the situation.

——————-

So far, tonight has been fun, minus earlier. Garrett's mom didn't dare to mention that again.

Regardless, we ate all together and chat up in the summer heat with some pop music. We celebrated Garrett and everything. I went in the pool earlier and pull on some tricks to show off to the girls and especially Garrett. They didn't seem that impressed but it seemed like Garrett was impressed at least. That's what matters.

I haven't gotten the chance to talk much with the others or Rachel for the matter but I believe right now will be the case.

That's because David lights up a campfire as it has gotten darker. Rachel decided to sit next to me, on the right side, surprisingly. At least, it's not Amanda's husband who I learned is Jonathan. Garrett chose to sit on my left.

"So, Brandon. I wanted to meet you as I heard lots about you."

"Yeah? Glad to know that."

"I'll get straight to the point. Why are you doing this with Garrett?" Garrett looks at both of us alarmed but doesn't utter a word.

"Isn't it obvious? We like hooking up together."

"That's it? That's all there is to this?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"You don't intend to do more so, that's it?"

"Woah, I thought you were nice. What is making you think that?"

"You hurt Garrett's feelings that's what bothers me." What?

"Rachel! Stop saying that! He doesn't need to hear that!"

"He needs to or else you two won't get anywhere." I'm so confused...

"I don't get this. I hurt Garrett's feelings? It doesn't add up Rachel."

"Yes, it does! You didn't notice how much the way you treat him hurts him?!"

"Rachel! Stop saying that as if I was miserable."

"Where is this coming from? Garrett and I are just in for a good time. What do you mean I'm not treating him right? He agreed to be in our thing."

"Does it mean he likes it?" She says harshly.

"Woah, chill out! Garrett seems perfectly fine in this and besides, why are you talking for him?" She glares at me.

"Brandon...I'm sorry about this...She didn't mean it.."

"I thought you were fine with just hooking up. Why are you back with me if you don't like it?"

"It's not that it's just..."

"Has more than hooking up ever crossed your mind?" Rachel suddenly says.

"What? Why would it?"

"You don't even know what it is Garrett wants. Wow...I can't trust you."

"Trust me? Why should I listen to you? I can do what I want."

"Sure you can but not when there's another one in this."

"Gosh, why are you talking about us as if we are dating? We're just hooking up. What does it change here?"

"So, if I understood well you would never consider dating or anything?"

"Why are you asking me such a thing?"

"Rach it's enough. You don't need to say more." Garrett says firmly.

"I'm sorry Rett. I got carried away." She says smiling awkwardly.

"It's fine." I look at Garrett showing my annoyance and my confusion but he doesn't say anything.

"I just want the best for Rett. I hope you understand that."

"I get that but it doesn't excuse the fact you're blaming me for something I'm not aware of." She rolls her eyes and looks at Garrett slightly.

"If Rett is confident enough, he'll tell you."
He'll tell me what exactly?

Then, suddenly, Garrett's Dad comes towards us.

"What are you all bickering about? It didn't seem that friendly from back there."

"Ah, sir it was just a misunderstanding," I say.

"I hope so. We're all here to have some fun."

"Yes"

"Now that you had a rather heated conversation, why not take Brandon with me?" Don't tell me he wants to talk with me too...?

"Yeah, sure. It seems like those two want to be left alone." I smile at Garrett and he doesn't smile back. Strange...

"Then, come kiddo."

I move out of there and sit next to where David was seated.

"So, what was going on out there?"

"Rachel was confronting me over something like the fact I don't treat Garrett well?"

"Ah, that...You are by no means a predator or something but I'll admit it didn't sit well with me, what you did."

"What did I do exactly?"

"You broke Garrett's heart easy. A month ago, I suppose and now he's back with you."

"I assure you he's the one who asked for a break."

"I know us men we love to have fun but it's not every men that are like that."

"What do you mean by that sir?"

"Garrett isn't the one that would go crazy over fun unlike you, I'm sure. He prefers more...let's say sentimental stuff."

"Sentimental stuff? What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know if you noticed my wife's and I's relationship dynamic or how she is overall, well I know my son well and he wants that too."

"Are you hinting at...?"

"Well, I won't tell ya, I believe it's a matter between Garrett and you. By the way, I don't usually apologize but I apologize for my wife's words earlier. She doesn't really mean it like that."

"Then, what was it supposed to be like?"

"We only want Garrett to be happy, same thing for his mother and his sister too. I believe Rachel, Garrett's friend wants that too."

"Then, what makes Garrett happy?"

"Well, that's for me to know and for you to find out."

Huh? I need to find out? I stare at Garrett and we make eye contact. What makes Garrett happy? As much as I hate touchy stuff, I need to focus on finding that out if they point that out that badly...