I hang up and slip my phone into my pocket. When I come back to the living room, Liam is staring at the TV like it’s the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen. The only problem with his act is it’s a feminine hygiene commercial.
“Everything good?” he asks without looking over.
“Yeah. Just making plans with Ben.”
He nods, his jaw tight. I sit back down, leaving a careful distance between us, and pick up my book. It’s impossible to focus though because I can feel tension radiating from Liam.
Liam clears his throat. “So, is he the first guy you’ve dated since you moved here?”
Surprised at the question, I peer at him over the book. Before we became friends I’d have said that’s none of his business. However we’re closer now, so maybe it’s not weird that he’s curious? “Yes,” I say cautiously.
“I wouldn’t have thought he was your type.”
“No?” I wrinkle my brow. “Why not?”
“I don’t know. I picture you with someone more down to earth.”
I laugh. “He’s perfectly down to earth.”
“Didn’t he seem a little cocky to you? Overly confident. I didn’t think you’d like that in a guy.”
I lift one shoulder. “You have to be a little overly confident as a gay guy, otherwise you’d never get laid.”
His mouth thins. “I don’t need to hear about your sex life.”
“Good because my sex life is none of your business.” I set my book down. “Ben is a nice guy. So what if he’s a little aggressive? What do you care? You don’t want me.”
He turns his head slowly and the look in his eyes makes my pulse spike alarmingly. His wolf is once more bristling. His eyes are a yellow-brown, and his nostrils flared. “Are you trying to get a reaction out of me, Jude? I wouldn’t if I were you. I’m in no mood tonight.”
I narrow my eyes, feeling breathless. “You started this conversation. You asked about Ben. I didn’t volunteer anything.”
“I was being polite.”
“By criticizing Ben?” I laugh. “Bullshit. You don’t like him and you wanted me to know that.”
He curls his lip. “Your words, not mine. I thought the guy came on a little too aggressive. Forgive me for looking out for my friend”
“I don’t need you to look out for me. I’m a big boy, Liam.” I stand, deciding maybe I’ll spend the rest of the evening in my room. “You should worry about your own relationship. Not mine.”
“My relationship isgreat,” he snaps, turning back to the TV.
“Good, I hope it is,” I force myself to say. “You’re my friend and I want you happy. I mean that. I hope you and Kara get married and have a bunch of babies. I hope she’s everything you ever wanted or needed. Because I actually do care about you, Liam. I care about your happiness.”
He hesitates. “And you don’t think I care about yours? Is that what you’re implying?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“You don’tknow?” His voice goes up at the end. “I let you live with me because I care. Are you serious right now?” He looks wounded. “How can you say that I don’t care about your happiness?”
I cross my arms. “You seem like you’re mad at me and I don’t know what I did wrong. All I did was go on a damn date. Why am I the bad guy here?”
His cheek twitches. “I’m not mad at you, Jude.”
“Sure seems like you are.”
“I’m not.” He lets out a harsh breath and he turns away. “I’m just tired and I’m not in a great mood. It’s been a weird few days.”
I can’t argue with him there. “Okay. Well, just… just, don’t rag on Ben, okay? I’m just trying to get to know him. What’s wrong with that?”
