Page 32 of Tied Over

“Just shut up already,” he ordered. “And play nice, or you’re not getting any of your pain meds.”

“You need to give me those. I might need one during the night, and I’m not above walking in on you and Hayden when you’re gettin’ your freak on.”

He snorted. “In a house with his parents?”

“I thought the house was big.”

“It is, but still.”

I stared at his profile. “Are you kidding? Since when don’t you take any moment to screw? Is something wrong? Do you need to see someone? Have a talk?”

“Funny,” he grumbled. “So fuckin’ funny.”

“One tries,” I baited him.

On the tarmac, walking toward the plane, I saw Hayden waiting at the bottom of the stairs that folded up into the side. As usual, two things popped into my head. One, that he was perfect in every way, and two, that he made me think of money. He looked like what you’d conjure in your mind if someone said rich son of a corporate lawyer who followed in his father’s footsteps. The sports coat over the polo, the slacks and dress shoes, were a lot for a relaxing weekend at home. Short, thick brown hair, dark-blue eyes, perfectly sculpted features, built like a swimmer or a polo player—the latter being a game he participated in—and of course, a dazzling smile, courtesy, I was guessing, of braces early in life and now veneers. And while other men who looked like they’d walked out of the pages of Town & Country didn’t annoy me, because he possessed what I wanted more than anything, namely Bodhi’s heart, everything about him made me bristle with frustration and hatred.

Even worse, I was terrible about hiding how I felt. My face always betrayed me. I tried, but it never quite worked. If I hated you, you fucking knew it.

“Could you try and smile?” Bodhi asked hopefully.

“I would,” I said snidely, “but yanno, I’m in pain.”

He rolled his eyes, and we continued forward.

Reaching Perfect Hayden, Bodhi leaned in and kissed him briefly, and when he stepped back, I tried for a smile and offered him my hand.

“Oh, Jed, I’m so glad you’re joining us for the week,” he said, and it sounded genuine. “My extended family is coming to our compound, and this is the last time we’ll see them before the wedding.”

Super.

“I’m excited for you to see the venue.”

“Well, with me or without me, Bodhi was going, right?”

His brows furrowed. “Not with his partner hurt.”

I glanced at Bodhi, who was glaring at Hayden.

“What?” Hayden asked worriedly.

Bodhi gestured at me. “Way to make him feel like you didn’t really want him to come,” he said sharply, taking several steps back so he was shoulder to shoulder with me. “This might have been a mistake.”

I knew well that flat tone, the set stare, and the crinkle between his eyebrows. He was about to undo plans, as he always did when he was displeased. And while I didn’t want to go, and I would have preferred to stay home on my couch, and I might even get Bodhi there watching TV with me…it wasn’t the best thing for him.

Hayden Burdine the Third was.

“No,” I rushed out, moving forward to give Hayden a pat on the shoulder. “He didn’t mean it like that. He just meant he knew you were worried, so he wanted to make sure I was included.”

Hayden sighed. “That’s exactly right, Jed. I’ve wanted you along many times, and I’m thrilled you’re coming to meet my family and especially Davis.”

“See?” I said to Bodhi. “Now let’s get on the plane already before we all fuckin’ melt out here, yeah?”

Bodhi nodded, told me to walk in front of him, and I started up the stairs. When I bent to enter the plane, I saw that several seats were already taken, and so went quickly toward the back and took the first open one by a window. There were two seats there with another two facing them, and I put my duffel down to my left. A couple of minutes later a very handsome man, tall with wide shoulders, an easy smile, and dark green eyes, was standing over me.

“Are you Josiah?”

“I am.”