Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 161257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 806(@200wpm)___ 645(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 806(@200wpm)___ 645(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Scott swallowed. Licked his lips. Adjusted his junk. Thank God Tad’s friends were almost done. His dick could only yield for so long.
Out of his peripheral, Scott noticed movement. He turned to look. Max, standing in the doorway. Still leathered up. Arms folded. Eyes cool. Must’ve just finished with his first appointment. Or, actually, his only appointment, now that Sean was history.
Scott went to say hello—and get a feel for how Max was faring. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”
Max shrugged. “It goes.” He chin-gestured to Tad’s friends. “What’s up with them?”
Scott crossed his arms and turned to watch them, too. “Their Tuesday night ritual. Although, until tonight, they held session at the fitness center.”
Max’s brows furrowed. “Why are they coming here now?”
Scott shrugged. “’Cause Tad didn’t want to bail on his friends, but Tuesdays are his and my only weeknight off together.”
Max’s features darkened. “Oh… That’s cool.”
Scott flicked him a look. Shifted his weight. “Yeah. As long as his friends stay good with it.”
Right on cue, Jay and Ned looked their way, their lively little lunge race having concluded.
“Hey, hey. Look who it is.” Ned beamed, fully winded. He tossed Max a wave. “What up, dog?”
Max lifted a brow. “Is he serious?” he muttered.
“Yes,” Scott murmured. “Just smile and wave.”
So, Max did—although his smile looked kind of pained—and offered up a half-assed salute.
Jay laughed through heavy breathing, hands braced on his knees, and gave Max an amicable chin-up. “Hey, there, broody fellow. Lovin’ all the leather.”
Max just looked at him. Jay straightened and cleared his throat. Behind him, Tad sat up and visibly paled. Paled, as if realizing that now he’d have to explain to his friends why his boyfriend’s ornery roommate dressed like that.
Scott’s lips twitched. Poor Tad couldn’t catch a break. No worries. Once his buddies took off for the night, Scott would turn that little frown upside-down.
Speaking of which… Scott reverted his attention back to Max. “You mind if me and Tad hang out in the playroom tonight? When his friends finally leave?”
Max shrugged indifferently. “Knock yourself out.”
“Awesome. Thanks.”
Time for that tour. The one Tad turned down the first time they met, but decided last night that he wanted. Scott couldn’t wait to show him all the wonders he’d been missing.
Ned and Jay sauntered over. Guess they were done working out. “Hey, d’yall hear?” Ned asked, eyes bright. “A fight broke out at the club Friday night.”
“Oh, yeah.” Jay nodded. “I heard about that, too.”
Scott’s brows rose. “A fight? What happened? Did you see it?”
“Nah.” Ned shook his head. “Went down after we bounced. Actually kinda pissed that we missed it.”
Jay nodded in agreement, looking equally disappointed. Max, however, stayed suspiciously quiet.
Scott narrowed his eyes. “How ‘bout you, Max? You see it?”
Max scratched his neck. Averted his gaze. “Yeah, I caught it, but the bouncers broke it up fast.”
“Uh huh,” Scott muttered. “I bet they did.”
Jay and Ned swapped envious scowls just as Tad and Breck joined the powwow.
“Yeah.” Breck nodded. “I heard about it, too. Some guy defending two kids against a bully.”
Scott stilled in surprise and looked back at Max, but his poker face was firmly in place.
Well, what do you know… Although, Scott wasn’t really surprised. Max had done the same thing for him ten years ago.
Tad moved to Scott’s side, but didn’t say a word, just slid his arm around Scott’s waist and leaned into him. Scott’s heart picked up speed. Tad was lovin’ on him in front of the others. He looked at Tad and smiled. Tad returned the gesture.
“Damn,” Ned muttered. “We miss all the good shit.”
Jay frowned at Breck. “I told you we should’ve stayed put.”
Breck shifted stiffly. “Yeah, well, it was my birthday, remember?” He shrugged a little. “Sue me. I wasn’t feeling it.”
Scott regarded him curiously, wondering if Kai had anything to do with that. Breck definitely hadn’t looked happy when he’d bumped into them in the bathroom. But even aside from that, Kai just seemed to get under his skin. Whether in a good way or bad, though, Scott couldn’t quite tell. Both guys emitted some seriously conflicting vibes whenever they were under the same roof. One thing Scott did know beyond a shadow of a doubt? There was definitely more going on than met the eye where Breck and Kai were concerned.
“Speaking of feeling it…” Jay looked at Max and grinned. “That guy you were dancing with that night at the club. Is he your beau or something? You two looked pretty tight.”
Max stiffened, clenched his jaw. “No,” he muttered. “He’s not my beau.”
Jay’s smile dropped fast. “Oh… My bad.”
Scott inwardly cursed. Max’s suddenly plummeting mood was straight-up palpable. Fortunately, instead of sticking around, he turned with a glower and walked away.
Scott exhaled, watching him go, then turned back to Tad’s friends. “So… You guys are done? Anyone want a protein shake for the road?”