In this excerpt from A Divided Heart, Brinn and Kam confront unresolved tension after Kam arrives under the pretense of an official inspection from the Academy. Brinn maintains a careful distance, unwilling to let Kam see past his defenses, yet minor details betray the deeper emotions beneath the surface. Their conversation centers on Dresden, a young girl in Brinn's care. Both men struggle with mixed signals and confusion over past connections that neither acknowledges. Through their clipped dialogue and guarded interactions, the friction between them emerges, highlighting how misunderstandings and pride continue to hinder the openness they truly desire.
Kam POV:
Once they were out of sight, Brinn glared at Kam. "Is this an official inspection?"
"The Academy does require a check-in, and since I wanted to tell you about the board meeting, I said I'd oversee it."
"As you can see, we have things under control." Brinn jammed his arms across his chest.
The tension in Brinn's posture had eased when he'd been interacting with Dresden about the mowt, but now it returned, full force.
"She seems really sweet." Kam adjusted his collar. "I'm glad for her. And for you."
"Why would you be glad for me?"
"Because you need to get back to work. I think helping this little girl might do it for you."
"Just what do you mean by that?"
Why was Brinn so touchy about everything? And what had Kam said now?
"Look," Brinn headed for the door, and Kam followed. "Thanks for telling me about the meeting. Don't worry. We'll take care of your mowt. Send a text when you're back and we'll bring him to you." Brinn opened the door.
"Thanks." He stuck out his hand, and Brinn shook it. "See you in a couple days."
Kam hadn't even gotten off the front steps before the door slammed. Okay, not a full slam, but more than a quiet close. The kind of close when unwanted company finally left. Halfway between good-riddance and don't-come-back.
Could Brinn not let down his guard for one minute? No matter how many times or how many ways Kam found to be in the man's circle, Brinn remained indifferent.
Shutting Kam out.
No doubt Kam was reading more into Brinn's actions than he needed to.
But, knowing Brinn, maybe not.
Brinn POV
Brinn caught the door before it slammed. He might be irritated, but he didn't want Kam to notice it. Still, it closed hard.
What was he worrying about? Kam was clueless anyway.
With that constant stony-faced expression of his, who could tell? No doubt there was more going on beneath the surface.
Why should he even think about the man? It wasn't like they had anything going on. They'd had a few nights together after completing a huge project. That was it. They'd each been too wrapped up in other projects to continue the relationship. Hadn't they?
So why did his heart race every time he and Kam were in the same room? It wasn't like Kam had any interest. The man found every tiny reason to be in Brinn's business. Questioning his motives. Asking him questions. Finding fault with his answers.
Like coming all the way out here to tell him about a meeting. Come on. No, Kam was checking up on him. Of all the nerve.
Okay, could be reading more into that than it was worth.
But, knowing Kam, maybe not.
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