I hadn’t planned on telling my best friend Bianca Tyler that I’d been in a relationship with her brother Brandon; but the moment I learned he was back from Afghanistan, I knew the truth was going to have to come out. Brandon was only a year older than me and Bianca, but he was so much more mature than anyone our age. When we were in eleventh grade, he took my virginity on the night of—his senior and my junior—prom. We were together throughout my senior year but our relationship suffered when he enlisted in the military. I admit, it was hard keeping that big of a secret from my best friend but I swore allegiance to Brandon that I wouldn’t tell her.
“Micah, I need to talk to you about Brandon,” Bianca said to me as she stood in my doorway.
I immediately tensed up and asked, “What about him?”
“He told the family something last night that I cannot believe.” She stepped inside and told me, “He told us he’s bisexual.”
Slightly relieved, I closed the door and asked her, “Is that a bad thing?”
“Well…no but I wasn’t expecting it. I don’t know what made him tell us at this time but…I don’t know. I just don’t know how to feel about it.”
“Come on, let’s go up to my room and talk. You know how nosy my mama is.” I grabbed her hand and led her upstairs to my bedroom.
Bianca and I talked about everything and usually nothing was off-limits, but preparing to talk to her about Brandon being bisexual knowing that I’d been with him was like walking barefoot on sharp needles. I usually didn’t think about Brandon whenever I talked to her, but now all I could think about was the last time I was with him. We had sex that day and then ended the relationship amicably. I’d moved on and I was sure he’d moved on as well, but that did nothing to ease the awkwardness I felt while looking into Bianca’s eyes.
“I just can’t picture him with another guy,” she blurted out. “Like no offense to you; Micah, but I can’t see Brandon with a guy.”
“Why would I be offended by that?”
“You know…because you’re gay.”
“Bianca, I understand how you’re feeling. Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I don’t understand your confusion. He’s your only brother and you’ve only seen him date women.”
“Exactly. You remember how he was in high school, right? He had damn near every girl fighting over him.”
“True. Well, how are your parents taking it?”
“They’re still more concerned with Brittany being engaged to an ex-con to really care about Brandon being bi. He told them and they were just like, ‘okay.’ I guess when you have six wild daughters and one tamed son, it doesn’t matter if that son happens to be bi.”
“Six wild daughters? Bianca, you’ve never been wild.”
“So, you don’t remember me sneaking out to meet up with boys in high school?”
“Yeah, but that’s not as bad as getting pregnant at sixteen like your sister Breanna did.”
“It took all of us to keep my mama from beating her ass. Damn, that was a crazy time.”
“I honestly don’t think Brandon being bisexual is that surprising.”
When I said that, she gave me a look and smirked before asking, “What makes you say that?”
“I’m just saying, he’s a good guy and he likes everybody. He’s a good person to be around.”
“Yeah, it’s like he’s from another family.” She giggled and then asked, “So, what are your plans for tonight?”
“Plans? Girl, I’m staying in and watching the countdown on TV.”
“Micah, you’re not coming to Chrissy’s party?”
“Nope. I just don’t feel like it.”
“Ugh, you so boring!” She laughed and playfully hit me. “I guess I’ll just party for the both of us tonight then.” She got a text message from someone and texted them back.
“Brandon. He said he’s bored at the recruitment office. I can’t believe they have him down there doing paperwork while the office is closed. It’s New Year’s Eve.”
“The recruitment office? Exactly how long is he going to be in town?”
“Micah, he’s back for good. He’s not doing anymore tours in Afghanistan. He’s about to get an apartment downtown.”
“Wow, I thought he was just visiting for the holidays.”
“Nope, he’s back home and even though he dropped that bombshell on the family last night, I’m glad he’s home.”
As much as I wanted to be honest with her, I couldn’t do it in that moment. How can you tell someone who recently learned her brother is bisexual that you used to be in a secret relationship with him? So, I talked with her for a while and after she left, I got dressed and headed down to the Army recruitment office. I was anxious to see him for the first time in over two years, but I knew once I saw him that I’d be okay. Brandon always had this calming effect on me and I loved being near him.
“Hey soldier,” I said with a smile as I approached his cubicle.
He turned around in his swivel chair and his face lit up when he saw it was me. He smiled big and asked, “How did you get in here?”
“I told the white lady up front that I was family.”
“Damn, look at you.” He stood up and wrapped his arms around me. “You look great, Puppy.”
I laughed when he called me that because that was his little nickname for me. His arm was still around me as I pulled back from the hug and looked into his eyes. I giggled as I told him, “You look great, too.”
“Yeah, sure you did. I know you probably gave some lucky undeserving dude a chance.”
“Hmm, if I didn’t know any better I’d think you were asking me if I’m single.”
“Yes Brandon, I’m single.”
“I told you before I left that you didn’t have to wait for me.”
“Negro, I didn’t say anything about I waited.” I laughed a little before saying, “I dated and I had a few potential situations, but nothing really worked out. What about you?”
“I had a few hookups but nothing serious at all.” He grabbed my hand and admitted, “To be honest with you, I was hoping I’d come back here and you’d be single so we could restart where we left off.”
“Yes. I’m sure my sister told you I came out to the family last night.”
“I was just with her at my house and she told me.”
“Yeah, I finally told them I’m bi. I can’t believe how cool everyone was about it. Then again, I was never as much of a handful as any of my sisters.”
“That’s exactly what Bianca said.”
His telephone rang and he stepped over to it and answered it. After the call ended, he came back over to me and asked, “What are your plans for tonight?”
“Bianca’s friend Chrissy is having a party and I was hoping I’d run into you there so we could talk, but you’re here now. Are you gonna be at the party?”
“I wasn’t going to go but if you’re gonna be there, I might as well show up.”
“Cool. I got a ton of paperwork to do so I’ll see you there, Puppy.”
I giggled again and asked, “Are you ever gonna stop calling me that?”
“Nope. You’re always gonna be my cute Puppy. I don’t care how old you get. See you tonight.”
“See ya, soldier.” I flashed him one more smile before turning and leaving. I looked back to see him watching me walk away and I got butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t wait for that night.
“I thought you weren’t coming here tonight?” Bianca asked me as she approached me at Chrissy’s New Year’s Eve party.
“I changed my mind,” I told her. “So, is Brandon here yet?”
“Yeah, he’s…” She stopped and then gave me a look as she asked, “Why are you looking for Brandon?”
“No reason. I just wanted to say hey. It’s been a while since I last saw him.”
“Oh, okay. There’s a lot of people here, right?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think Chrissy would’ve invited this many people. Then again, her parents are in Paris. I wish my parents would take a trip out of the country.”
“Who are you telling?” She laughed and joked, “If I could have my house to myself, I’d throw a party and invite everyone from campus.”
“Speaking of campus, do you think Brandon will enroll at Calhoun now that he’s home for good?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him about it. Come on, let’s go get some champagne.”
I followed her into the kitchen and we poured ourselves some champagne. I’d just turned twenty-one in November so it was my first time drinking alcohol. Not a second after I drank from my glass, Brandon entered the kitchen with a bottle of Budweiser in his hand. He looked at me and said, “Hey, Micah.”
“Hey. Bianca told me you were here.” I gave him a hug and pretended as if I hadn’t seen him earlier that day.
“I’ll let you two get caught up,” Bianca said to us. “Micah, don’t forget Chrissy paid for a cool firework display in her backyard. I’ll be out there when you’re done talking to Brandon’s nerdy ass.”
“Nerdy?” he asked with a laugh. “I’ma get you for that later.” He watched as she left the kitchen. He then turned his attention on me and asked, “Are you ever gonna tell her about us?”
“It’ll be better if you told her. She is your sister.”
“But you’re her best friend.”
“She might bite my head off.”
“No, she won’t. I don’t think she’ll trip. How about we both tell her?”
“Well, first we need to make sure we’re both on the same page about the present. Are you sure you want to try this again?”
“Baby, I am one hundred percent sure. When you walked into the recruitment office earlier today, my heart stopped. Well, that and my dick got hard.” He laughed before continuing, “Micah, I love you. I’ve loved you for a while now and I should’ve told you this a long time ago. I think I fell in love with you the night I took your virginity but I could never find the right time to tell you.”
I tried to fight the tears but they were building in my eyes regardless. I stared back into his eyes as I told him, “I love you, too.”
He put his arms around me and licked his lips before pressing them to mine. I sat my glass of champagne down and he sat down his bottle of beer so we could feel on each other while we kissed. We were so caught up in the moment that we didn’t notice Bianca until she cleared her throat and asked, “What is going on in here?”
“Oh, sis,” Brandon said as he stepped behind me to hid his erection. “How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough to see you two locking lips. Micah, what’s going on?”
“I did not want you to find out this way,” I began, “but maybe it needs to happen this way. Bianca, Brandon and I were in a relationship for a little while before he enlisted. We put the relationship on pause and now we’re restarting it. I know I should’ve told you a long time ago, but…”
“Does he treat you right?”
She looked at her brother and asked, “Does Micah make you happy?”
He put his arm around me from behind and replied, “He does. I love him.”
“Well, I’m cool with it. But absolutely no kissing in front of me for a while. It’s weird.”
“Are you really okay with this?” I asked her.
“You’re my best friend, Micah. If you were some random dude then of course I’d have some problems, but I can’t even get mad at you. You two actually look cute together.”
“Wow, I stressed out over this today for nothing,” I said with a laugh.
“It’s almost time for the countdown,” Brandon said. “Come on, let’s go outside.”
The three of us left the kitchen and headed out back where everyone else was. We all did the countdown and when midnight arrived, Brandon and I shared a kiss. That kiss was just as sweet as the first one I shared with him back when I was seventeen. I had no idea what was in store for us in the new year; but I knew we were entering it as a reunited couple, and I was pretty excited about that.
[Disclaimer]: Pictures used do not reflect the sexuality or personality of people in the pictures. They only serve as visual examples of the characters.
