“What’s wrong? Everything okay?”
Jay shook his head, his gaze going to his bare feet. “I…I had a horrible nightmare, and I don’t want to be alone.”
“Come ’ere,” Ryden said softly.
Jay’s head shot up, and he watched intently as Ryden pulled the blanket back and patted the mattress. He could practically see the wheels in Jay’s head spinning furiously.
“No funny business,” Ryden promised.
Jay hesitated for a heartbeat before closing the door behind him. He hurried over to the bed and climbed under the covers. He lay there, unmoving, staring up at the ceiling for what seemed like ages, the tension so thick that Ryden was afraid it would choke them. Everything always felt scarier and bleaker at night, Ryden should know. He rolled to face Jay.
“It’s just for tonight. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
Jay worried his full bottom lip again before closing his eyes. He rolled onto his side to face Ryden and, after some slight hesitation, shifted closer. Ryden slipped his arm around Jay’s waist, his heart skipping when Jay reached up and touched his fingers to Ryden’s lips. His gaze dropped to Ryden’s mouth, and then he leaned in and pressed his lips to Ryden’s.
Knowing Jay sought comfort, Ryden let him take the lead, parting his lips for Jay. Their kiss was slow and sweet, and Ryden hummed when Jay slipped his arm around him, deepening their kiss. He tasted of mint, his hair was sleep-tousled, and his body warm and soft.
They tangled their legs together, and Ryden did his best to ignore how right it felt. He couldn’t get used to this, couldn’t let himself believe there could be more between them. It was just one night. Tomorrow, they’d return to being…whatever they were before today’s events.
Jay pulled back, his eyes closed as he sighed softly. He opened his eyes, and Ryden brushed the hair away from his face, moving his fingers down his jaw to caress his cheek. Therewas so much to say, but it was best left unsaid. Things were complicated enough, and they were reaching a point where they might become friends.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Ryden promised. “And not because I think you need protectin’ or can’t take care of yourself.”
Jay covered Ryden’s hand with his. “I’m sorry for the way I acted. I know you were looking out for me. If it had been any of the other guys, I wouldn’t have gone off like that.”
“What if we start over?” Ryden held his hand out. “Hi. I’m Ryden Foster. It’s nice to meet you.”
Jay laughed softly. He took Ryden’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Ryden. I’m Jay Starling. And yes, I know my first and last names are related to birds.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to mention it, but it could have been worse. Your last name could have been Bushtit.”
Jay barked out a laugh. He smacked a hand over his mouth, his shoulders shaking from laughter. When he seemed to get a hold of himself, he shook his head, his blue eyes sparkling. “I don’t want to know how you know that.”
“What about Jay Boobies? It has a sort of…perky ring to it.”
“Oh my God! Stop.”
“Bananaquit.”
Jay’s smile was wide. “Now you’re just making things up.”
“Nope. It’s a bird. So is Dickcissel.”
“Let me guess. Between gardening and making pipe cleaner animals, you also birdwatch.”
“It’s very relaxin’.”
“Stop it,” Jay said, poking him. “You do not birdwatch.”
“You’re right. I don’t birdwatch, but I did get stuck watchin’ a nature documentary at my doctor’s office once. The nice lady next to me was a birdwatcher who told me all about the Bushtit. Do you know how hard it was not to laugh every time Grannysaid Bushtit? Extremely.” He hummed. “Come to think of it, she might have been doing it on purpose. She had that frisky look about her. Like she might have a black loofah hangin’ from the roof of her golf cart. Loofahs are the new upside-down pineapple.”
“Oh no!” Jay covered Ryden’s mouth with his hand. “We are not going there, you hear me? I don’t need to have that mental image of my grandma.”
Ryden snickered behind Jay’s hand.
“You’re such a shit,” Jay laughed. “I’m going to move my hand. No more talk of upside-down pineapples or black loofahs.” Ryden held up a finger, and Jay sighed. He moved his hand away. “What?”
“I’m just letting you know that the only meanin’ behind the purple loofah in the guest bathroom is that it was the only color they had left in the store.”
