Itwasn’t a question, but it sounded as though Zane wanted confirmation. Beauflinched. He knew Zane had been uncomfortable at the time, but his best friendhad moved out of his comfort zone for Beau’s sake. He knew he should bethankful, but he was shocked to the point he couldn’t form a coherent thought.
“Ifit’s any consolation, I think you’re good for E.”
Beau’sbrow furrowed.
“Idon’t know why he is the way he is, but… shit,” Zane paused. “I just want y’allto be happy. Whatever that means.”
“It’snot serious,” Beau said defensively.
“Horseshit,” Zane grumbled. “You don’t do casual sex, Beau.”
“Whatthe hell are you talking about? I spent years fucking your girlfriends, Zane.”
“Youdid. But you weren’t in it for them, were you?”
Beaulooked down at his lap. No, he wasn’t. He’d agreed to it so he could be closerto Zane. There had always been a curiosity that could never be sated. Not untilV came into the picture. She’d read Beau like an open book.
“I’msorry I did that to you,” Zane said, his voice full of remorse.
“Youdidn’t do anything to me,” Beau argued. “You didn’t force me. And I stillenjoyed it.”
“Butnot like you do with Ethan?”
Nothingcompared to what Beau felt when he was with Ethan. Not that he was going totell Zane that.
“Doyou love him?”
Beauwas glad he hadn’t taken a drink because he would’ve probably choked to death.Drowned from inhaling beer.
“Youdon’t have to answer that,” Zane said, a curious smile on his face. “But do mea favor?”
“Sure.Anything.”
“Just…let me know if you need anything.” Zane was swinging the beer bottle in smallcircles between his legs as he stared downward. “I’ll always have your back.You know that.”
Beauswallowed hard, trying not to get emotional. These conversations with Zane wereinfrequent and rare. And truth be told, he had needed this. Needed to know thatZane supported him. That he understood. “I do know that.”
Zanelooked up at him, and their gazes met across the room. Right there, in thatmoment, their friendship healed itself and Beau felt an enormous weight liftoff of his shoulders. He wouldn’t admit it yet, but he was falling in love withEthan. And he was grateful that his best friend would be there for him in theevent his world came out from under him.
Heprayed it never came to that.
Chapter Nineteen
??
Ethanhad been at the shop for half an hour when Beau’s truck pulled in the drive.Glancing over at the clock on the wall, he realized it was only six o’clock.Shit.The sun wasn’t even up yet. The guy was an hour early. Figured. Ethan wouldn’tbe able to lay into him for coming into work late.
Yes,his attitude had taken a drastic decline since Blake’s impromptu appearance andthe argument they had after Beau’s ill-timed departure.
Ethan’sentire body hummed with the urge to fight. He wanted to blame it on Blake’sarrogance, but the fact that he’d asked Beau to stay and was rewarded with thesight of Beau driving away had left a gaping hole inside Ethan’s chest. He hadactually opened himself up for the first time and look where it had gotten him.
No-fucking-where.
WhenBeau’s boots shuffled on the concrete, Ethan tried not to look up from what hewas doing. Tried. Didn’t succeed.
“Mornin’,”Beau greeted, sounding as tired as Ethan felt.
“Coffee’sin the office,” he informed him, trying to pretend this was nothing more thanbusiness. If he could keep himself distanced from this man, he’d consider it agood day.
