When I saw the glint in his eye, I realized he was teasing me, and I laughed despite myself. “No,” I objected, crossing my arms. “I wanted to try something new. Want to, still. I haven’t had a lot of experience, outside of some pretty lackluster, typical sex, and I was just…” I turned back to the wall, shoving aside some brooms. “Why am I telling you this, and why did Shawn and Cass hide their garage door opener?”
Jet leaned back on the grill. “So you’re looking to experiment. That’s cool.”
I snorted. “Easy for you to say. From what Noah tells me and what I saw at the bar, you have plenty of experience.” Instantly, I winced, worried that would sound judgmental, but Jet didn’t seem to mind.
“I do,” he said confidently, not at all ashamed. “It’s healthy. I’m glad you’re giving yourself a chance to do that, too.”
The fact that I was sharing things with Jet that I hadn’t shared with anyone else was not lost on me. There was a strange intimacy, I guess because we already had a secret together. But it made me uncomfortable, claustrophobic in the dimly lit garage, and I found myself tossing the questions back at him.
“Do you ever get tired of it?”
“Tired of it?”
“Sleeping around. Partying. Nightlife.”
He shrugged, not bothered by the question. “I love the music and the people. I used to be a mess, drinking too much and using drugs, sleeping around not because I wanted to, but just for a distraction.” A soft sadness settled over his expression, but he shook it off. “I don’t miss those times, and…”
I held his gaze. “And?”
“The only regret I have now is that I don’t know how to act at a damn barbecue.”
I smiled. “You seem fine to me.”
“All I mean is there’s a lot my brother and I don’t understand about each other. I don’t apologize for who I am, but I do wish it were a little easier for Noah and I to relate.” He shook his head. “Sorry. Shouldn’t dump this all on you.”
“No, it’s okay. And honestly, Noah is as confused about you as you are about him. It’s a mutual problem, but I’m sure you can work it out.”
“Maybe.” He grunted under his breath, then laughed. “Too bad you and I can’t just help each other out.”
“How do you mean?”
Jet dragged his eyes up and down my body, a heat that I felt beneath my clothes. “You’re trying to experiment in bed, I’m trying to figure out my brother…”
“What?” I chuckled. “You think we should exchange lessons?”
“You’re the one that said it.”
I swallowed. Fuck yeah I wanted to experiment with Jet. For once, I even had ideas of what I wanted to do, fantasies that were just forming where I tore his clothes off and rubbed our chests together or went to work seeing how deep I could swallow that thick cock of his.
But even if I was trying to help out Noah, too, it just wouldn’t be right. Sneaking around behind his back would wrack me with guilt, and somehow, I was certain it would do the same to Jet. He might have been a mystery to me, but given the way he was so straightforward about himself, I didn’t think he was a liar.
“Yeah,” he chuckled and turned away, dismissing the idea so I didn’t have to. “Shame it can’t happen.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “It is.”
He nodded toward the wall. “Opener’s right there, by the way.”
I turned and spotted the button. I must have been more flustered than I realized because it was practically staring me in the face. “Thanks,” I said, then smacked it.
The garage door creaked and rose, slowly allowing sunlight in, which washed over Jet.
My heart softened, and like when we were at the bar together, the relaxed, confident look on his face eased much of my anxiety away. “Come on,” I said. “Let’s get this grill out there and find Noah.”
What I wanted with Jet wasn’t possible, but I could at least help him and Noah connect. For now, that would be enough.
