Noah flinched. For some reason, Kaj asking him that with such nonchalance struck the wrong chord inside him. “That’s none of your business.” He spun on the stool so he wasn’t facing Kaj, hoping he’d get the hint that he was making him uncomfortable.
“Can’t blame you, he’s hot. Or are you screwing him because he owes you money and is paying with his dick?”
“Stop it.” Noah flashed him a warning glare.
Of all the first-run-in scenarios Noah had imagined since they’d last seen each other, him being this annoying ballbuster from the start wasn’t one of them. It was easy to see from a mile away that his witty repartee was just a mask of mordacity and self-preservation. Yet, there was a shadow casting over his eyes that wasn’t there before, and it screameddanger.
But then again, the idea he had of this man was of the sweet boy he’d once fallen in love with. Someone he clearly wasn’t anymore.
As the bartender approached, Kaj showed him his event badge and said, “I’m with the band.”
“What can I get you?”
“Three beers, a cola, and a glass of bourbon, neat.”
“Right away.”
“Isn’t it a bit too early to go so hard?” Noah pointed out.
“Need to warm up the engines.”
The barman poured the drinks, opened the beers, and slid them across the bar counter. Kaj took a swig of bourbon, straightening and crossing an arm under the other as he stared at the band starting their soundcheck.
And there he stood, silent and too close for one, two, five fucking minutes. Noah wasn’t looking at him, not at first, but he could feel him. His magnetic energy. The spicy notes blended within the woodsy scent of his cologne. And his own fuckingheart, beating furiously. Instead of walking away from the tension lashing between them, though, he side-glanced at him.
Although irritating, Kaj was definitely an attractive man. His stance roared like he owned the fucking world, and his clothes like they should be ripped off him. The way his long-sleeved Henley clung to his back and those cargo pants hugged his ass were evil. A fucking sin. Just like that prominent Adam’s apple.
“Let me know when you’re done.” Kaj snapped him back to reality.
“What?”
“Eye-fucking me. Are you done?” His tone was sarcastic, but his blue gaze was hard.
“Still a conceited asshole, I see.” Noah was faster now with his snarky remarks than he was at sixteen, but one thing he could not control to save his life was the way his cheeks would heat whenever he was embarrassed, felt like the center of attention, or when he was too hot.
“Some things never change.”
“What are you still doinghere, anyway?” Noah motioned to the space around him. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your gig or something?”
“Do I make you nervous, Sørensen?”
“Nervous? No. Uncomfortable? Yes.”
“Aw,” Kaj mocked. “Is that why you ran away last time? Because you didn’t know how to be in front of me without getting all flustered?”
“What the fuck?” Noah frowned.
“It’s been way too long for you to still be acting like a childish coward.” Kaj’s tone turned darker. He wasn’t playing around anymore.
“You’ve got some fucking nerve,” Noah fired back as the misplaced fascination from before disappeared. “I’m not the one who goes around lying and fucking with people’s lives.”
“Maybe you’re not, but you’re full of shit, and that boyfriend of yours over there”—his eyes glanced at Zach once again—“he’ll see it sooner than later.”
“Don’t you dare bring him into this. He’s much more of a man than you’ll ever be.”
There was a tic in Kaj’s jaw. “I’m not bringing him into anything, just stating the truth.”
“What—Look, this between us is awkward as it is. I don’t know if we’ll bump into each other after tonight, but if you’re only going to blurt shit like this all the time, I’d rather you never speak to me again.”
