Connor dragged his feet, the bite marks on his thighs throbbing with each step. “Depends on the company,” Connor replied. He didn’t even have the energy to guess who Trevor meant.
Trevor snorted.
Connor glanced at him, spotting an amused grin on Trevor’s lips.
“What?”
“You look like you’re about to crash.”
“After I shower, I plan to do just that,” Connor said. He thought about the question. “Is it Laurence? If it’s just Laurence wanting to watch a movie or something, I can manage that.”
“Think you can find the energy for bowling, too?” Trevor asked.
“Ugh.” Connor didn’t have the energy for it, not after two rounds with adefinitelyexperienced Adonis, but he would probably struggle mentally with disappointing Laurence. “Yeah, fine. But I was swimming, so I have to shower first.” And wrap up the bite marks. And maybe brainstorm if Adonis was trying to eat him or were the bites just a kink thing. Either worked for Connor, honestly.
A low-pitched horn rumbled from the ocean. Connor stopped on the porch and looked over his shoulder. A large barge sat in the water far out at sea. Its ugly metal hull marred an otherwise beautiful sunset.
“Unusual seeing one of those out here.” Trevor shaded his eyes as he looked out, squinting at the ship. “I wonder if it’s coming in for repairs?”
“It’s been around a few days now,” Connor said.
They both watched it. Connor wondered if Trevor found it as unsightly as Connor did or did he think nothing of it? Trevor turned from it without another word.
“Anyway,” Trevor said, opening the back door. “Your friend from school turned up earlier. He and Laurence are in your room.”
Connor stopped on the porch. “My friend?” he asked. Who, exactly, would not only come to see him but also be able to leave the boarding school during the mid-week? He frowned, none of his silent, complicit friends coming to mind.
Trevor paused when he noticed that Connor wasn’t moving.
“Which friend was this?” Connor asked when Trevor didn’t elaborate.
“Austin,” Trevor said.
Connor went rigid as his gaze jerked to Trevor’s face. There was nothing new in how he regarded Connor… just an extra dose of concern in his eyes. But who knew what Austin might have spouted off?
Trevor frowned. “Are you not friends?”
Connor hesitated. “We are.” His voice came out stiff.
“I can send him away.”
“No, it’s fine.” Connor walked past Trevor into the house, making for the stairs. “They’re in my room, you said?”
“Yes…” Trevor was frowning. Connor was too on edge to hide it and ease Trevor’s concern. Ever since that night—since he’d apparently walked in on hisboyfriendand Peter hooking up, he hadn’t heard a word from Austin. He’d waited. For an apology. For Austin to come forward and tell everyone there’s no way Connor was a bigot since they’d been dating for almost two years.
Connor’s door was closed. An image of Laurence and Austin in bed together flashed through his mind, sending a bolt of apprehension through him. He forced himself to turn the handle and open the door.
Laurence was sitting criss-cross style on the bed; Austin was leaning over the desk, looking out at the ocean. His slight frame turned as Connor walked in, his tanned face pointing toward him. His soft smile didn’t match his sharp, glittering eyes. Austin met his gaze, not a hint of worry or trepidation in his expression, like he didn’t even consider that Connor might go ballistic at him.
A wave of anger rose in Connor, threatening to choke off his reasoning. He’d wanted Austin to come visit him so many times. He used to daydream about Austin being here during his lonely summers—but now it was just infuriating. All those daydreams tasted rancid and sour, and Connor despised that he’d been so invested in someone ready to screw him over.
“Connor,” Austin said, grinning. His bright gaze darted down Connor’s body before climbing up him slowly.
Connor simmered. He didn’t know that the one thing Austin could have done to piss him off even more was check him out. Connor forced himself to look away from Austin. He kept his expression level, despite his conflicted emotions simmering just beneath the surface.
“Do you mind giving us a few minutes?” Connor asked Laurence.
Laurence frowned, his expression worried as his gaze darted between them. “Are you sure?” he asked Connor.
