He crossed his arms and didn’t reply. Nick didn’t get it. Bryce himself didn’t get it, but this sex thing was a big fucking deal to him.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Why are you taking this so seriously? It’s toys. It’ll be fun. I’ve never played with sex toys before.”

That made Bryce turn Nick’s way. “Never?” And the toys weren’t the point; the fact that Nick wouldn’t fuck him was.

He shook his head. “Nope. And don’t look at me like that.”

“You’re sheltered. And yeah, toys are fun if you don’t need them. I do, which means I’m not doing something right. I don’t like that.”

Nick sighed as he pulled off the freeway. They’d gone an hour away from home because they were both pussies and didn’t want to run into anyone they knew. “I have a big dick and you have a small hole. Those are both good things. You’re not doing anything wrong. What else is it?”

The second Nick said it, Bryce realized he was right. That definitely wasn’t the only thing bothering him, but he wasn’t sure how to express what was.

Bryce dropped his head back against the seat, turning to watch Nick as he drove. Christ, the man really was sexy. “I just...I want something to go easy. To go right. So far we’ve had to deal with freaked out family members, and sexual problems. Can’t just one fucking piece of it go exactly the way it’s supposed to? I just want to give myself to you. That’s fucking it. I want to show you that I’m really in this with you. One hundred percent in it.”

And there was Bryce’s truth. Nick must have realized it, because he pulled into the first parking lot he found and killed the engine. “You have nothing to prove to me, Bryce. I told you the other night. I get it. Nothing is a guarantee, but I trust you. I know you’re not playing games with me. I know you want me just as much as I want you. Whether or not I’m able to fuck you right away doesn’t matter.  We’re in this together. There’s no doubt in my mind about that, no matter what happens.”

And just like that...some of the worry disappeared. Bryce’s chest felt lighter, his head not quite as full. “So, you don’t think you’re better at being gay than I am?” Bryce winked at Nick.

“Maybe a little.” Nick grinned.

“Come here and kiss me.” It would be their first kiss outside in broad daylight, where anyone could see them. “You’re about to go into a sex store with me to buy a butt plug, or a dildo or something. You can fucking kiss me. Come here.”

Nick smiled and leaned in. “A butt plug, huh?” he asked against Bryce’s lips before kissing him.

When they pulled apart, Bryce said, “Well, obviously I’d rather have your dick, but that thing is too fucking big for your own good. It’s going to hurt, regardless. We both know that. It’s a rite of passage, I think.”

Nick ignored the second part of what Bryce said. “You’ll like it when we can get it in.”

“Don’t brag.”

“I’m not.”

He totally fucking was. Nick started the car and they got back on the road. When they pulled into the parking lot of the adult store, Nick turned to him. “It’ll be okay, Bryce. Your parents are just confused. They’ll come around when they see we’re both serious. My family...fuck, we’ll make them get it somehow. Pretty soon, we’ll be the best fucking gay men around.”

“The best gay men, or the best fucking gay men?” he teased.

“Both.”

Bryce smiled. He really fucking hoped Nick was right.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Holy shit, he was shopping for dildos with another man.

In public.

Where anyone could see him.

Dildos.

Or, according to Bryce, butt plugs.

They definitely should have done this online.

“Can I help you gentlemen find something?” Nick froze at the male voice behind him. He knew he needed to turn around and respond to the employee who spoke to them, but he couldn’t make himself do it. Turn around, Nick. It’s not a big deal. I’m sure he’s seen so many crazy things working in here that this is nothing.

“I’m trying to find something that’ll help train me to take him.” That was enough to make Nick whip around and face his lover. Leave it to Bryce to lay it all out there.

“Jesus, Bryce. What the fuck?”

“What?” Bryce looked at him innocently. “It’s true. I’m pretty sure it’ll be obvious something’s going on when we make our purchase.”