“She’s a special lady, a real firecracker, and loves having a full house of young people.” A smile flickered on his lips as his eyes softened. “She especially loved Keith since he’d bring her chocolate all the time.”
“You didn’t mind going?” Strange that the cool, indifferent Jordan Peterson would care about someone else’s relative.
“Of course not. I love her like she was my own grandmother. But I haven’t seen her in months, and that text was from Drew, pleading with me to come tomorrow. It’s her birthday this week, and they’ll all be there. Drew and his boyfriend, his sister Rachel and Mike.” His fingers twisted together. “They want me to come.”
Once again, Luke noticed how his hand shook. “So go. They’re your best friends.”
Jordan balled his hands into fists. “You don’t understand. They’re all paired up now, and I’m alone. I sound like a fucking wuss, but I don’t think I can face walking in there by myself, without Keith. Seeing all that happiness. Shit, I thought I was past it but…” He shrugged. “It fucking sucks, because I hate the thought of disappointing Esther.” They sat in silence for a while; then Jordan’s face brightened. “I have an idea.”
Luke, tired of sitting for so long, had gone to his locker and was fiddling with the combination. “Yeah? What, Prep School?”
“What the fuck is with that name?” Jordan shot a scowl at him.
Luke couldn’t help but grin. “It fits you perfectly, and it pisses you off.”
Jordan gave him the finger, a wicked smile curving his lips.Uh-oh. Luke didn’t like the look of that smile.
“Come with me.”
Luke froze and huffed out a nervous laugh. “What did you say?”
“Come with me. Keep me company. Eventually you’ll have to meet the guys anyway, since they’re going to be involved with my work at the foundation. I can pick you up tomorrow morning. It’s only a few hours.” Those pale blue eyes gleamed. “Besides, Esther’s an amazing cook.”
“Look, it’s nice of you to offer, but I don’t know you guys, and I’d feel weird going to some old lady’s house for her birthday.” Luke’s fingers fumbled with the combination, and mercifully it opened so he could hide from those piercing eyes.
With a swiftness Luke didn’t think he possessed, Jordan appeared at his locker, crowding him into the small space. “Esther would flay you alive if she heard you call her old.” That arrogance dropped from Jordan’s voice, replaced by a warm, almost intimate tone. “Please, Lucas. I’m as close to begging as I’ve ever done to anyone.”
Lucas. Jordan’s seductive voice curled around Luke’s spine, and he closed his eyes. The scent of Jordan’s cologne mixed with the sharp tang of their sweat and heat, creating a dizzying need within Luke such as he’d never before experienced. His cock stiffened and he stood still, keeping the lower half of his body hidden behind the open locker door.
“I don’t belong there. I’m not really your friend, Jordan. We’re thrown together by circumstance.” The words were cruel, but Luke needed to put some distance between them. This was what he got for letting himself get too close.
“What are you so afraid of? I don’t want to fuck you. I’m only asking for some company, goddamn it. Why do you have to make me beg?” To his utter shock, Jordan pushed him into the locker, his angry face only inches away. “Just fucking forget it. And forget this gym bullshit. I don’t need you for anything.” He stalked off into the bathroom.
Luke raked his hand through his sweaty hair. He hadn’t meant to come off as such a bastard. What would be the harm in spending a few hours with the guy? It was hard having your life ripped away in a moment while everyone else continued with their own as if nothing had happened.
He knew what it was like. Shame coursed through Luke. Had he forgotten about his promise to pay it forward? This was no different. He might have been able to make it alone, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t help Jordan try and overcome his own demons. The man had a life to get back to, after all. He closed his locker and found Jordan in the bathroom. Luke saw him pop something in his mouth.
“Headache,” Jordan mumbled under his breath.
“Look, Prep School. You’re right. I was being a dick.” Noticing Jordan’s raised brows, he rushed to finish his train of thought before he changed his mind. “I’ll come with you. Keith always talked so much about you all, I feel as if I know everyone already.”
Luke’s heart jolted at the faint smile and relief in Jordan’s eyes.
After showering and deciding on a time for Jordan to pick him up in the morning, they parted ways at the front of the gym. Unable to keep his eyes off the lean form of the man walking away, Luke knew he was doing the right thing by going with Jordan, even if it would be a boring way to spend his afternoon.
Chapter Seven
At precisely noon, Jordan pulled up in front of Lucas’s apartment building. All morning Jordan been expecting a text or call from Lucas with an excuse to cancel. To his surprise, his phone remained silent. He hadn’t told his friends he was bringing Lucas. He didn’t want them to make the mistake of reading more into his invitation than someone to walk in with and spend time with at Esther’s while everyone else was paired off. Additionally they needed to get to know Lucas, since the foundation was primed for its opening, which was only a few weeks away.
Nervous about the day to come, he popped open the pill container and swallowed three tablets. Lately they hadn’t been working as well, and he wondered if the kid selling them was giving him low-quality pills. He drank down half a bottle of water and willed away the slight shaking he’d recently noticed in his hands.
A low whine from the backseat broke the silence inside the car. “Sasha, quiet, girl.” The dog was excited to go for a car ride, as she knew from previous times there were usually treats involved somewhere along the line. Jordan was reaching for his phone to send a text to Lucas that he was there, when he saw Lucas exit the building. Jordan’s heart rate increased.
Lucas looked amazing. His chestnut curls lay in their usual disarray over his brow, and his hazel eyes caught the sun, the green and gold highlights glinting with amusement. He wore a beautiful green cashmere sweater, with a black scarf tossed around his neck and tucked under a well-worn but soft-looking leather jacket. His dark jeans molded tight against his muscular legs. Irritated with himself for noticing, Jordan squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then unlocked the car doors.
After Lucas slid into the front seat, he grinned at Jordan. “You brought Sasha?”
At the sound of her name, she barked and pawed at Lucas’s arm. That had the desired effect, as he petted and scratched her until she was satisfied and lay back down.
