His Aaron.
As he struggled with this discovery, another realization hit him square in the chest—SubAir had just posted about falling in love with his Dom.
With his friends-with-benefits Dom.
With Jay.
Aaron was in love with Jay.
Holy shit.
“That was brutal.” Aaron dropped into the other lounger. “He was scared of being close to the fire. I had to ask him to give the phone to Rachel.”
Jay needed time. To wrap his head around this new information. To go back and read everything Aaron had ever said about him. To figure out whether Aaron had actually meant that he loved Jay or if it was just hyperbole, a figure of speech.
To understand what this could mean for the two of them.
His heart warmed as he looked at the adorable frown creasing Aaron’s forehead—a remnant of his frustration with the phone call. Mark was a grown man, and Aaron didn’t owe him anything, and yet he’d always pick up the phone to help.
That was just the kind of person he was.
“I love you,” Jay blurted out.
Aaron's frown smoothed, replaced by a look of bewilderment and something else. Something hopeful. His lips parted as if he were about to say something, but nothing came out as he gaped at Jay.
Jay shouldn’t have been so impulsive. The words had slipped out against his better judgment, but now that they were out, he wasn't sorry. He only wished he'd picked a better spot to confess his love than his nosy sister’s barbecue.
It could have been much worse. At least the loungers were tucked away in the corner of the yard, away from everyone. If they’d been within Layla's or Jasmine's hearing distance, he'd never hear the end of it.
That didn't help him now. He needed to explain himself, and someone could interrupt at any moment. He cast his glance around the party to make sure no one was looking in their direction and got to his feet, grabbing Aaron's hand to pull him around the corner of the house.
Paul had clearly missed a spot mowing the lawn. Unlike the manicured grass of the rest of the backyard, the side yard was a jungle, with grass and weeds standing knee-high. It seemed too late to turn back, so Jay waded in.
Aaron followed without a comment, running into Jay's back when he stopped.
Suddenly, they were face-to-face. Aaron tilted his head, confusion clear in his voice. “Jay?”
“I probably should have picked a more romantic spot, but it's a bit late for that now.” Jay chuckled. “I guess I couldn't wait.”
“I don't know what's happening,” Aaron whispered. “Why are we in the scariest part of your sister's yard?”
“Because I don't want an audience.”
Aaron leaned against the side of the house, his gaze steady on Jay, waiting for him to continue.
This was it. A huge success or a giant failure. A love connection or a breakup. A yes or a no.
“I promise, this is not how I meant to tell you. I’ve actually wanted to say it for a while, but I thought it was too soon. I didn’t want to scare you off.”
Aaron pressed his lips together, as if to keep himself from speaking.
At any other point in his life, under any other circumstance, Jay would trail off and stop talking. He would run out of confidence and backpedal, desperately clinging to whatever status quo was on offer.
But not with Aaron. Not in the middle of baring his heart.
“I love you, Aaron. And maybe I only got the courage to say it because you said it first, but even if you were exaggerating, I stand behind it. You’re the most incredible man I’ve ever met. The sexiest, kindest, most competent human being. I can’t stop thinking about you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, and I’m so glad I waited for you.”
Aaron hadn’t said anything, but as soon as Jay stepped closer, he pushed off the side of the house and met him in the middle. Jay could feel the uneven rise and fall of Aaron’s chest, could hear the ragged breathing, could almost taste the sweet bubblegum of Aaron’s new lip balm.
