“Cuban. Rico’s family is Cuban, not Spanish.”
“Yeah, okay. See? You know him. I was right.”
“Jesus.” He got up and walked away even though he knew Patrick would be right on his heels. “You are way too interested in my sex life.”
“Listen, kid. You’re almost like another son to me; you coulda been PJ’s older brother. I keep an eye out for you is all.”
Damn.How could he respond now without sounding like an asshole? He couldn’t, so instead he busied himself with the coffee pot and poured a cup even though he had no desire to drink it.
“Thanks. But we aren’t seeing each other anymore, haven’t been for a while. I’m okay with it.”
“You, my friend, are the worst fucking liar,” Patrick said, so irritatingly smug that Adam wished he could punch his friend in the face.
Fighting to keep his cool, Adam took a big gulp of his coffee. Seeing Rico that morning stirred up all those nights together. The other day his mother asked when he and Rico were coming back for a visit like it was a foregone conclusion they were a couple. He’d put her off with a vague remark about work and shifts.
“I’m not. It was a mutual decision.”
“Bullshit. I saw you talking to him, and your face looked like you saw Santa Claus. You’re that happily-ever-after, greeting-card kind of guy who wants marriage, family…the whole deal. You liked Rico; I could tell from the first time you saw him, so I know you still got it bad. I don’t blame you. If I were gay, I’d have the hots for him too.”
“Don’t let Ellie hear you say that. She’ll whip your ass.”
Adam’s joke fell flat as Patrick scowled at him, his fair brows pinching in a line across his forehead.
“At least now I know the reason you’ve been moping around here for the past few weeks.”
Adam finished his coffee, then crumpled the empty cup and tossed it in the trash. “I’m fine. It’s no big deal, and I’m going to prove to you it isn’t. That fire destroyed the inside of Rico’s store, including their kitchen, and he won’t be able to cook for this big party he’s got planned. I spoke to the chief and asked if Rico could use the kitchen here to prepare.”
“Dude. You’re fucking nuts. You don’t need to be so desperate to get him to talk to you.”
White spots of anger pinpricked his vision, and Adam advanced on Patrick until their noses almost touched. “I’m not. If I wanted to find someone to suck my dick, trust me, I don’t have to look far. That’s not why I’m doing this. This is about being a friend. And because you’re also my friend, I’m gonna walk away from this conversation and take a shower.”
Shaking, Adam stormed out of the dining area and slammed into the locker room. He ripped off his uniform, leaving it in a heap on the floor, and walked naked into the shower. Steaming water gushed out from the taps, and Adam stood underneath, letting the heated flow cool his upset. He soaped himself, and as his annoyance with his friend dissipated, Adam’s shame grew at his childish behavior.
Patrick was right. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t put Rico out of his mind.
The man was beautiful, all smooth tan skin and muscles that made any shirt he wore a work of art.
His dick grew hard, and Adam stroked himself, giving over to the memories—Rico kissing his mouth and neck, then pushing his cock deep inside him. Harder and faster, Adam’s hand flashed over his cock, thinking of Rico thrusting in and out of his ass, sparking electricity through his bloodstream with every drag of heated flesh; their eyes locking as Rico held him tight, their bodies heaving and smacking together. The ecstasy of his orgasm rolled through him until Adam almost cried out from the painful pleasure of splintering apart.
“Fuck.” He bit his lip, holding back a groan as his cock jerked and he spurted all over his hand. Sated and a bit woozy, Adam expelled a deep breath and finished washing up, in no rush to see Patrick again. When he finally stepped out of the shower, he wasn’t all that surprised to find his friend waiting for him, and Adam took the towel the man handed him.
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry.”
After he dried his hair, Adam wrapped the towel around his waist and faced Patrick. “Apology accepted. And maybe you’re right. I haven’t been able to forget him, but I want to. I need to because every time I see him, he makes it clear he’s not interested. And maybe having Rico here, in my face and ignoring me, will make me see that he really doesn’t want to get together and I can move on. I’m sorry I barked at you too.”
They grinned at each other, and Adam took the towel off and snapped it at Patrick, who howled in protest.
“Cover up that naked ass, man. I can’t unsee the sights.”
Adam tossed the towel over Patrick’s head. “There you go. Maybe that’ll stop you from talking too.” He walked back into the locker room to get dressed, absently greeting the other guys. Patrick was right, Adam thought as he slipped into his uniform. The time had come to put Rico Estevez out of his mind for good. He could take a hint.
His phone buzzed, and at the sight of Rico’s name, his heart fell.He’s calling it off. He’s found a better place than here.
Steeling himself for disappointment, he forced himself to keep his voice neutral.
“Hello?”
