Stupid pregnancy hormones.
She sniffled and managed a smile.“I like you, Archer Halligan.”
“I like you, too, Jessica James.”
Brantley was right to like this guy.Eventually, she would have to tell him that.One day.Maybe.
Chapter Six
As soon as Slade got home afterwork, he went straight to his bedroom to change.He stripped off his jeans and T-shirt and opted for a pair of workout shorts.He didn’t bother with a shirt.It was too damn hot.Plus, he hated the restriction of clothing.The shorts were a necessity since he now had a roommate; otherwise, he probably would’ve gone without those, too.
After changing, he headed for the bathroom to wash his hands and face.He was kicking around the idea of making dinner, but stalling since he wasn’t quite sure what to make.Or why he was bothering at all.
He couldn’t stop thinking about Archer Halligan.More accurately, the fact that Atticus was going to be partnered up with him.How the fuck was Slade supposed to compete with that?Atticus would spend endless hours, possibly sometimes days, with the man.What would happen if they were attracted to each other?
Gripping his hair with both hands, Slade glared at his reflection.He couldn’t do this again.He couldn’t risk ruining a perfectly good … whatever it was he had with Atticus because he was insecure.It wasn’t benefiting anyone for him to second-guess every single thing Atticus was doing, thinking, saying.
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
He was going to start over.
What was the saying?Fake it until you make it.Yeah.He could do that.He could pretend to feel confident about his … whatever it was he had with Atticus, until he actually did feel confident.
Frowning, Slade wondered whether it would help to define what this was with Atticus.And Carson.Couldn’t forget Carson, although there were moments when Slade wished he could.Even after the night Carson apologized and admitted to having feelings for him, Slade was still hesitant to take the man at his word.Hindsight and all that.
“Slade!”
Ah, hell.Atticus was home, which meant he couldn’t hide out in the bathroom any longer.
Fake it until you make it.
He took one more deep breath and a slow exhale as he turned to the door.
“In here!”he called as he came out of the bathroom, heading for the living room.“I was thinkin’ maybe I could make dinner.”
“I’m gonna work out first,” Atticus shouted from the workout room.
That was interesting.And new.Atticus usually came home, flopped down on the couch, and stared at his phone for a good half hour before he did anything.Was there a reason?Was he hoping to impress someone?Someone who might be Archer Halligan.
No.Dammit.He would not let his insecurities get the best of him.
Fake it until you make it.
He could go for a workout.It was technically his rest day, but a few extra sets of bi’s and tri’s never hurt—
Slade came to an abrupt stop in the doorway of the workout room.“Oh, fuck.”
Atticus was standing in front of the wall mirror, his shorts shoved down, his cock in his fist.From Slade’s vantage point, he could see the shift of the muscles in his back as he stroked himself slowly.
And fuck if that didn’t turn him on like nothing else.From the very first time he’d laid eyes on Atticus James, Slade had found himself intrigued.Inexplicably.He’d fought it for the longest time, but he couldn’t anymore.He wanted this man in a way he’d never wanted anything in his life.
Not sure what to say or do, Slade stood there, staring unabashedly, admiring the man.
“Have a seat,” Atticus said, gesturing toward the workout bench in the center of the room.
This was also new.Slade was usually the one making demands or simply taking control because he knew Atticus enjoyed the dominance.
Continuing to watch Atticus’s fist move up and down the length of his cock, Slade went to the bench and took a seat.
