“That’s sweet,” Noah teased, bending down to finish loading the washer as he turned it on. “Or creepy, depending on how you look at it.”
“Just making sure you make it back alive and don’t get distracted by somepretty face.”
Noah bit his bottom lip to contain the smile. “Actually... jealousy does look good on you.”
“Looking good while seething is a talent of mine.”
“So, you admit it.” Noah laughed. “You’re jealous.”
“No, I simply don’t like that guy. He’s just...” Kaj narrowed his eyes, looking in the direction Zach had disappeared.
It felt like he had a piece of information Noah was missing, but wanting to keep the mood light, he continued giving him shit.
“Attractive? Interesting? Tall? No, wait. The words you’re looking for areinsanely hot.”
Kaj peered up at Noah, frowning, and tossed a crumpled napkin at him when he grinned. “Shut it.”
And there, for a fraction of a second, as those beautiful ice-blue eyes lit up, he saw the ghost of a smile on Kaj’s face. It wasn’t a dark, sinister grin or that ridiculously wicked smirk he always put on when he knew he was winning, but an actual smile. Fleeting and weak, but it wasthat damn smile. The same one that had stolen his breath away years ago.
“I don’t like it when someone touches what’s mine in front of me. Period.”
A horde of butterflies set on fire in Noah’s stomach. “Are you claiming me now?”
“For the time being, yes.”
And all the butterflies died.
For the time being,of course.
Brushing the disappointment and discomfort away before they sat in his heart, Noah put on that mask of nonchalance he’d learned to wear around Kaj.You knew what you were getting yourself into.
“Hope you show me later tonight then.” His smile was half-assed and sour. “Anyway, I gotta get back to work, serve people... See you later. Don’t get too drunk.”
For the rest of the night, Noah sailed on a sea of hurt and indifference and everything in between. He tried to act as if the last bit of their interaction hadn’t bothered him. But it had. And since he was petty, especially when frustrated, he didn’t try to avoid people’sfriendlyantics when they came over for a drink.
Noah was painfully aware of the fact that Kaj was dating Mads. That he wasn’t going to break up with him for a hookup. Not for him. Not with their history. Still, he wanted to mean something.
Despite his inability to get intimate with men if there was only the superficiality of physical attraction, the chemistry he had with Kaj was undeniable. It was the electric rage and chaos of a brewing storm. Energizing. Haunting. Horrifyingly beautiful. But maybe it was just the barrier of emotions they shared starting to crumble on his side or the forsaken memories of a better time sizzling in his heart. Or maybe it simply was his mind playing venomous games with him. It fucking hurt.
When the time to go home finally came, Noah and Kaj walked to Vesterport station in complete silence. It was the longest twelve minutes ever. All Noah could hear was his pulse, the rumbling of the few buses and cars on the streets at this hour, and Kaj’s footsteps behind him. He wasn’t sure if the drummer was pissed off or if it was the heavy atmosphere heightening his senses, but his stomps sounded angry.
Good.
It wasn’t affection, amity, or care, but it was better than nothing at all.
Once at the station, they had to run to catch the four o’clock train. Although they ran every fifteen minutes, Noah didn’t want to wait on the platform more than necessary. He was exhausted.
Kaj, on the other hand, looked a bit on edge. He’d had his arms crossed for the last two stations, right leg bouncing relentlessly. Without even looking at him, Noah could sense the intensity of his stare trying to bore a hole in his face.
“Fine. I’ll take the bait,” Kaj said when they left Dybbølsbro station. “Why do you have your panties in a twist?”
“Fuck you, Larsen.”
“You’ll be doing just that in forty minutes, but I’m serious. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Noah looked ahead and behind them. The wagon was practically empty, with only one couple flirting and three guys dozing off across the aisle from them a few seats away. “Youwanna talk? I thought this wascasual. No strings attached and all that.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Kaj huffed. “It is casual, but it obviously isn’t a one-night stand.”
