Ryker’s question was met with silence for amoment.“No one, never mind.I’m not made for anything long term.You know me.Guy or girl, I like them all.”Cal winked and bentdown to pet Spock, who gleefully got up on his hind legs to lickCal’s hand.
“You never know.If grumpy me can find love,there’s hope for everyone else,” Ryker mused as his friend liftedSpock into his arms.
“So, you admit that you love Wes.”Calsmiled as they walked back to Ryker’s apartment building.
“Yup, I haven’t said the words to him yet,but I feel it.As crazy as it sounds, after such a short time, ithappened.I never believed it when people talked about love atfirst sight, but I can now tell you that it’s true.”Ryker slunghis arm over Cal’s shoulders.“One down, two to go.Let’s see, whowill be the next victim to fall prey to love in the Big Apple?Youor Mac?Place your bets,” Ryker said with a chuckle.
“Who are you and what have you done withRyker?”Cal laughed and shook his head.“It’s not gonna be me.Never gonna happen so save your money.Ain’t no man brave or stupidenough to take on my brand of crazy.”
“I don’t know.I think there may be a calm,sophisticated guy out there brave enough to complement your wildnature,” Ryker said as Cal pretended to gag.
Ryker checked his phone as they entered thebuilding.He’d missed Wes’s call an hour ago.Shit.
“I’ve gotta head back up and call Wes.”Ryker motioned to the elevators.
“I’m off,” Cal said.He placed Spock inRyker’s arms.“I’m gonna head home and sleep for two days straight.Thanks for the Chinese food and the talk.”Cal hugged Ryker.
“Anytime.About anything.I mean it, bud.”Cal nodded and headed out.
Ryker hopped into the elevator.As soon ashe got back to his apartment, he unleashed Spock and dialedWes.
On the fourth ring, the voice of a man thatRyker did not recognize answered.“Hello?”
“Hey, can I speak to Wes, please?”Rykerasked, finding it odd that someone other than Wes would answer hiscell, especially at one in the morning.
“I’m sorry, he’s in the shower.You’ll haveto try again another day,” the smooth voice said.
“But he’s expecting my call.My name isRyker and…”
The smooth voice lowered.“I don’t care whoyou are.You’re interrupting us, and he doesn’t want to bedisturbed.Don’t call back.”
And with that, Ryker was left staring at hisphone in confusion.
Interrupting what?No.He wouldn’tlie to me.That’s not Wes.Not after everything we justtalked about.But someone was answering Wes’s phone while hewas in the shower at one in the morning.What the fuck was goingon?
Mac’s comments from the other day rushed tothe surface of his mind.What if he’d been right and Wes washooking up with some random guy?Wes had lots of opportunity, afterall.What if he’s just playing a game with me?It felt likea weight was crushing Ryker’s chest the more he thought about thesituation.This was why he preferred one-night stands.Relationships were messy and painful and way too complicated tonavigate.It had taken his mom years to get over his father’sabandonment.No way did Ryker want to find himself in the samesituation, investing all his love and attention in Wes only to havehim smash his heart to bits and leave him devastated.Jesus.
Ryker grabbed his headphones and blastedLinkin Park.The loud, angry rock music helped his mindrecalibrate.Had he made a terrible mistake trusting his heart toWes?
Over an hour later, his phone rang.
Ryker refused to look at it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Wes
Wes was fucking exhausted.From thepre-dinner soap opera with Kieran to the late-night dancing, he’dfinally begged off just after midnight, needing a hot shower and awarm bed.Under the pounding spray of the rainfall shower, Wes’smuscles relaxed and his mind cleared.He would call Ryker quicklyand then tumble into bed for much-needed sleep.
Slipping into the plush hotel bathrobe, Wesstepped out of the marble bathroom and into his bedroom.
“Hello, Wesley,” a voice greeted him in thedark.
“Jesus!”Wes flicked on the bedside lamp andfound Kieran stretched out on his bed.Completely naked.“What thehell are you doing in my hotel room?Have you totally lost yourmind?How did you get in here?”Wes yelled.
Kieran just smiled.“I told the front deskthat I was your husband and couldn’t find my key.And then Islipped the assistant manager two hundred bucks.You’d be surprisedhow easily hotel staff can be bribed.”He laughed.“Come on, I knowyou miss me.No one fucks like I do, right, baby?”
Wes grabbed the clothes lying on the floorand tossed them at Kieran, then walked over to the bedside andpicked up the phone.
