“Nick taught me how to ask a girl out, how to use every cheesy come-on in the book and how to kiss.” Adam plopped down beside him. “Funny, I miss the guy.”

“I do, too.” Matt bowed his head. “I’m sorry. I wish I knew you were friends with him. How is he? I haven’t talked to him in six months.”

“He’s out fighting the wildfires in the Ventana Wilderness. They’ve got some contained but not much. I just instant messaged him two nights ago.” Adam opened the containers. “It’s hot, dirty, and not going out.”

“At least he’s safe for now.” He hated not talking to his brother, hated that they’d argued before Nick left. He sighed. The food smelled divine, but his stomach churned. He’d lost contact with his brother over a guy—a guy who’d ended up being a real dick. He’d wanted to call Nick a hundred times but didn’t. Why? Fear. What if Nick never forgave him? What if the fucking fire claimed Nick, and he never got the chance to say he was sorry? He only had himself to blame if they never got the chance to reconnect.

Adam slid one of the containers to Matt. “Eat.”

“I can’t.” God, he was becoming so emo. He hated being emo.

“Why? Because I know about Garig, the dick?” Adam offered up a spoon. “I’m going to level with you. Nick told me about Garig. Nick’s my best friend, and I knew how that dick worked him over. He wasn’t pissed that Garig had a fling with you. What pissed him off was you not coming clean.”

“Why—why didn’t you bother to tell me this before now?” He grasped the spoon. “I mean, you are close to my brother, and you live next to me. You could’ve said something.” A thought occurred to Matt. The reason Adam probably kept quiet was the kissing thing—Adam and Nick were together. That’s why they messaged each other. He’d been fantasizing about his brother’s boyfriend. Well, shit.