While Scott might have had a point when Thomas first arrived, Thomas took comfort from the fact that Rhys was now considering making their relationship real. It was time to put Scott in his place once and for all, and since Scott obviously didn’t pull any punches, Thomas wasn’t going to either.
“First, you don’t know Rhys as well as you think you do. Yes, he’s different now because he lost someone he loved deeply, so his approach to relationships is different than it used to be. Second, it’s none of your damned business anyway. And third, even if Rhys and I weren’t together, there’s no way I’d want a selfish, jealous dick who can’t stand the fact that his cousin is fucking a hot TV star and he isn’t.” Thomas curled his lips into a derisive sneer. “You aren’t half the man Rhys is.”
Scott’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly, making him look like a startled fish, and then his face turned bright red, although Thomas couldn’t tell whether it was from anger or embarrassment. Before he could respond, however, Rhys opened the front door and stepped back inside, glancing back and forth between them with bewilderment tinged with wariness.
“What in the world in going on in here?”
“I’m educating Scott in how not to treat your cousin’s boyfriend,” Thomas said. “Seems he didn’t learn the first time with Jerry, but I think this lesson will stick.”
Fiery wrath unlike anything Thomas had seen before flared in Rhys’s eyes, and for a moment, Thomas thought Rhys might take a swing at Scott. But then Rhys took a deep breath and stepped back. He was silent for a moment, and whatever debate was raging inside him showed on his face before he managed to calm his expression into neutrality.
“Maybe he’s the better choice,” he said quietly.
“What?” Even Scott appeared shocked, and he gaped at Rhys, open-mouthed.
Of all the things Thomas had expected Rhys to say, he’d never thought to hear those words, and he stared at Rhys in disbelief. “Wait… where in the hell did that come from?”
“He’s closer to your age than I am,” Rhys said. “If we were together, odds are that I’d die well before you, and I don’t want you to have to experience what I went through.”
“What do you mean,if?” Scott demanded, but Rhys waved him off. “Wait, I was right?”
Thomas shot a quelling look in Scott’s direction, then focused on Rhys again. “How about you let me make my own decisions about who I want and the risks I’m willing to take with them?”
“You’re only saying that because you don’t know what it’s like.” Rhys turned his gaze to the floor. “It’s not worth it.I’mnot worth it.”
“I don’t believe that,” Thomas said. “Of course, it’s onlymyopinion, which I’m beginning to think doesn’t count very much with you, does it?”
“You see?” Scott’s expression was triumphant. “He doesn’t even respect you.”
Thomas glared at Scott. “Your foot’s already in your mouth. If you say one more fucking word, I’m going jam it all the way down your throat. In fact, why don’t you get the fuck out? I sure as hell don’t want you here.”
“But—”
“Get out, Scott.” Rhys’s voice was low but implacable as he swung the door open wide and held it. “You’re playing hurtful games again, and I’m not going to put up with it. Besides, what does or does not happen between me and Thomas is none of your business.”
Scott looked like he might argue, but Rhys drew himself up to his full height and squared his shoulders, his expression thunderous.
“I said, get out!”
Thomas had never heard Rhys raise his voice in anger before, and even as pissed off as he was with Rhys, he was glad that intimidating tone wasn’t being aimed at him. Apparently it was also enough to convince Scott that he should cut his losses, because Scott slunk out the door without another word. Rhys slammed the door shut and locked it before turning back to Thomas, the anger in his eyes fading to weariness.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“For what?” Thomas smiled, but it was mirthless. “For Scott being a manipulative asshole? For throwing our relationship under the bus barely twelve hours after you agreed to give it a try? For blowing up your own plan? You realize the fake boyfriend thing is over. Scott isn’t going to keep his mouth shut.”
“I know.” Rhys dragged his fingers through his hair and blew out a sharp breath. “I’m sorry for all of the above, plus getting you involved in the first place. It was a stupid idea. I should’ve known it wouldn’t work.”
“So now what?” Thomas asked, the lead weight forming in his stomach making him feel nauseated.
“Now I need to call Mama and tell her the truth before she hears about it through the grapevine,” Rhys said, his shoulders slumping as he headed back to the couch and sat down heavily.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” Rhys scrubbed his face with both hands. “I meant what I said. If he wasn’t such an asshole, Scott would be a better choice. He’s closer to your age.”
“I don’t understand.” Thomas searched Rhys’s face as he wracked his brain to figure out what was going on. “You seemed fine this morning. What happened to make you do all this second guessing?” He thought about their conversation at the resort, but he hadn’t picked up on enough fear and doubt to make Rhys retreat like this. Then he remembered how oddly Rhys had reacted after he’d shaved. “Is it this?” He touched his cheek, still unaccustomed to feeling smooth, soft skin instead of his beard.
“I just…” Rhys trailed off and shook his head. “Seeing you without the beard reminded me of how young you are.”
