“Nothing.” She shook her head. “It’s none of my business.”
“It’s none of your business if you want to share it out there in the world, but between you and me—what?”
“Why do you call yourself gay here when you’re bi everywhere else?”
“Not everywhere else. Just in the city.” He shrugged. “I dunno. There’s a lot of history there. It’s easier some ways. Lots of people think being bi means I’m confused. I’m not confused about who I am or what I want.”
“I know,” she whispered. “And I love you exactly as you are. Whatever you are, and whoever you want.”
“I yelled at Ty this morning for asking about my dating life. So take this as me yelling at you, too, okay?”
She gave him a big, tight hug. “Consider me chastened.”
His last stop was his house, which felt too quiet. Too big, too empty. He pulled out his phone and dialled Brent’s number.
* * *
The restof the afternoon was lost to work. He was in a whirlwind there, he hadn’t been lying to Jess about that. But the sleeping on the sofa was coming to an end.
Tonight.
He needed both of them tonight.
And because he was luckier than he should be, when he reached out to Brent, his lover had the night off and was already on his way to Wardham to see Jess.
But his relief was short-lived, because when he pulled up beside Brent’s pickup truck, he realized they were arguing. They stopped as soon as he parked, but they were still shooting each other disagreeing looks as they hopped out and followed him inside.
“I’m not staying,” Jess said. “I’m stealing Brent’s truck and going back to my place. Before you two made these plans, I’d already organized a girls’ night. It’s my first one, and I’m not cancelling.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that earlier?” Evan hauled her back into his arms, feeling all out of sorts. The kind of out of sorts that a good, hard fuck might fix, but she was leaving.
“I don’t know. I didn’t think you’d actually call Brent, maybe.” She was pouting, she could hear it in her own voice, but whatever. It had been a long few weeks. “I might come back when everyone leaves. Or I may sleep by myself tonight.”
Brent reached out and caught her wrist. “Don’t stay there. Come back.”
“And what are you going to do while I’m gone? Watch a football game? Having a burping competition? Maybe if I stay at home tonight, you two can finally work out your issues.”
Evan growled at that, but Jess ignored him. She leaned into Brent, softening a bit as she kissed him, and even though Evan knew he’d walked into the middle of a fight, he still found his dick chubbing up at the sight of his lovers touching.
He got a kiss, too, as she headed for the door.
And then he was alone with Brent. He loosened his tie and stalked to the fridge, pulling out two beer bottles. “I wasn’t aware we had issues.”
“We don’t.” Brent took one of them, holding his up for Evan to clink against. “You think she’ll be back tonight?”
Jesus Christ. “How would I know? You’re her fucking husband.”
Guilt flashed across Brent’s face. It wasn’t right for Evan to throw that back at him, because he knew better than anyone how tenuous that connection was for the Dorans right now.
He thought about apologizing, but the words scratched at his throat. He took another swig of beer as a better idea solidified.
“I’m going to take a shower. It’s been a long day.” He shrugged out of his jacket, then loosened his tie. He walked slowly toward the hallway, his heart pounding at the invitation he was about to extend. “You should join me.”
Brent didn’t respond, but he didn’t say no.Progress. Evan let his gaze drift over his lover’s body. Big and strong even at rest.
“No, you go ahead.”
“She said—”
