“Rosco! What’s up, man?”
I turned, then sighed with relief. Kai was alone.
“Not much,” I said. “Grabbed breakfast. You?”
He tilted his head. “Here at the hotel?”
“Yeah, where else?” As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I was screwed. “I, uh… ate earlier. Then went for a walk.”
He narrowed his eyes and stepped closer. “You went for a walk last night too.”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” His smile sharpened into a grin. “Two walks.”
“Great catching up, bud, but…”
“Don’t mess with me,” he said, lowering his voice. “You spent the night with Paquette.”
I scoffed. “Why would you?—”
He rubbed his chin like a detective and leaned so close I could smell his shampoo. “You’ve been for a walk, all right. Walkof shame. Same damn clothes as last night, lips swollen. You look extremely well fucked.”
“Kai—”
“And you’re walking bowlegged, like you’ve still got something up your ass. I know that walk. I’ve had that walk.”
“Kai, you can’t?—”
He smacked my arm and burst out laughing, loud enough to echo down the hall. “I’m proud of you. You and Paquette look great together.” He snickered before adding, “And I’ve never seen you look guiltier in my life.”
“Jesus, keep it down.” My head was spinning. I’d known Kai for years, and there was no telling what he might do. So I grabbed his arm and hauled him into my room before the whole team came to investigate. He whooped like we were on a carnival ride.
“Listen.” I kept my voice low and urgent. “This thing with Pack and me is brand new. You can’t tell anyone.”
Still grinning, he tapped my cheek. “Pack.That’s cute. You call him that while he was railing you?”
“Shut. Up.”
“Paquette’shot, Rosco. Gasoline-on-a-bonfire hot. I’m happy for you. You’ve dated losers long enough.”
I raised both hands and spoke softly. “I know you’re excited, and I love you for it. But I like him so much it hurts, and I don’t want to scare him off. I need this to stay quiet. Will you help me?”
Something changed in his eyes. He straightened and took one slow breath, then another. I matched him until the buzz in the room eased.
Finally, he nodded. “I hear you. You deserve a good man, and I won’t mess that up.”
Relief rushed through me. “Thank you.”
“You know the guys already suspect. The shit on social media keeps it alive, and the looks you and Paquette gave each other yesterday in the loading dock? I thought you were actually going to kiss him.”
“We were freaked out,” I said. “Look, I should change before going downstairs, but…” I put my hands on his arms. “I really appreciate you. You’re a great best friend.”
“I’ve got you, but I’ll still have to chirp you. Otherwise, they’ll get suspicious about that.”
“Fair.”
He bumped my shoulder and flashed a crooked grin. “You still look bowlegged, though.”
