“The other guy.”
“Oh, that’s Max. He’s a friend of Sebastian’s.”
So that was Max. Jason explained the story between Paolo and Max, and his heart broke for them. He also felt foolish for his jealousy. Watching them, it was clear Max had eyes for nobody but Paolo.
“What’s going on with you and Grant?”
“Nothing. I haven’t seen him since he moved to London.”
“How is that possible? He bought a club round the corner from where you live.”
“I’ve no idea, but he’s kept his distance for now. He’s focussed on Langdon, anyway.”
“Why?”
“They’ve got history.”
“What?”
“Not like that. He knew Langdon when he was a kid. Look, it’s not my business to share, especially with a journalist.”
Patrick prickled at the tone Jason used. He liked sassy or flirty Jason, but he wasn’t a fan of this snarky version.
“Why are you still married, Jason?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Look, Jason –”
“One minute,” he said, jumping up.
Patrick noticed Paolo and Max were outside. They were embracing, but it was in a comforting way rather than being anything more intimate. Jason picked up a bag of food from the counter and grabbed his jacket.
“Call me if you want to talk, instead of waiting outside my flat. It’s creepy.”
“You blocked my number.”
“Shame!” he said as he walked out.
Patrick watched Jason give them the food and chat with them for a bit. He looked back at Patrick with a smile andthen walked up Old Compton Street. It was clear Jason was on a mission tonight to get laid. Patrick wanted to run after him, but what good would that do? He had to hang back. Now he knew the reason Jason had ghosted him he was renewed with hope. All he had to do was bide his time and Jason would come back to him.
The next morning, Patrick needed to talk to someone, so he popped round to see Sebastian. They’d see each other on Christmas Day, but they wouldn’t be alone then. He had a bit of a crowd staying with him at the moment– friends over from New York– but his place was big enough for them to find some privacy.
The home he’d created with Charlie was beautiful and made Patrick question why he’d gone for a flat. He loved being able to see the river from his window, but there was something about going upstairs to bed that felt domesticated. His mind wandered to Jason, and how they’d left things the night before. He knew Jason had left intending to sleep with someone, and would have been successful. Jason was a beautiful and determined man, but Patrick worried about the sort of guys he was meeting.
“And to what do I owe the pleasure this early in the morning?” asked Sebastian, opening the door and giving him a hug.
“It’s not that early.”
“For a weekend it is.” He closed the door, and they started walking towards the kitchen.
“I’m sure Charlie could use a break from your dick.”
“I’m fully dressed.”
“Hey, I don’t kink shame.”
Sebastian laughed.
