Ramsey glanced back at him. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
It was a fair question, because nothing about Ramsey ever screamed,I’m unsure and uncomfortable.The guy seemed to own every situation he was in, sliding easily into each and every one. But Nate could never stop wondering deep down if that was because it was true, or if it was because Ramsey wanted everyone to believe it was.
What good was seeing through some of Ramsey’s walls if he couldn’t figure that one out?
“No reason,” Nate said, and then Levi opened the door.
“Hey guys,” Levi said warmly, tugging first Ramsey and then Nate in for quick hugs. “So good to see you. Especially here.Together.”
“Can we like . . .uh . . .notmake that a big deal?” Nate murmured under his breath as Ramsey headed towards the living room, carrying their beer contribution.
Levi tilted his head. “Why would you not want to make a big deal out of it? Man, you gotthatguy. I’d be crowing about it from the rooftops.” He paused. “Well, frankly, Ihavecrowed about it from the rooftops.”
Levi sure fucking had. He’d bagged Aidan Flynn and even a few months in, basically never wanted anyone to forget it. An adorable combination of smug ego and uncomplicated awe.
“Yeah, you really have,” Nate said, hoping that would be the end of it and Levi would let him off the hook.
But before Nate could head after Ramsey into the living room, Levi caught his arm. “Seriously, though, bro, why wouldn’t you?”
“It’s just . . .uh . . .complicated.”
Levi frowned. “I was under the impression it wasnotcomplicated. That you were dating. Like nothing super serious, but like,enjoyingeach other.”
Of course Aidan had told Levi his suspicions from earlier today. About how they were apparently constantly fucking all their feelings out. Well, maybe it was good that he and Ramsey had established that in this fake relationship of theirs, they were definitely having sex.
“Uh, yeah, right. Of course. Definitely.” Nate inwardly grimaced.
Levi nudged him, chuckling. “Say less, bro.”
They’d been moving towards the living room, where Aidan and Levi had fit about twenty large football players—well, nineteen large football players and one semi-large hockey player—and Ramsey, talking to Dawson and Cam, glanced up as Nate walked over.
“There you are,” Ramsey said, the way he looked over at Nate proprietary and the hand that he set against his waist even more.
Nate might not have noticed, but he was too used to cataloging every minute shift that crossed over Ramsey’s beautiful face.
“Here I am,” Nate said, letting himself sink further than he normally would into Ramsey’s touch. Right now, it was not only allowed, it was welcomed.
“Was wondering when we’d see you,” Dawson said, smirking.
“You saw me for hours earlier today,” Nate pointed out.
Dawson’s pointed glance snagged on where Nate and Ramsey were touching. “Not like this.”
Cam nudged his boyfriend. “What hemeansis we’re happy for you two. It was inevitable.”
“It was?” Ramsey gazed up at Nate with wide, innocent eyes. Clearly playing. Nate knew enough to knowthatmuch.
It was cute, damnit. It was so fucking cute.
“You both know it was,” Dawson said, laughing. “From the moment Nate decided he didn’t like you, we all knew it meant something else.”
Nate swallowed hard. He’d worried about how much he’d like this, but they’d been here less than ten minutes, and he was already swamped with a desire for this to be how it was, all the time.
For Ramsey to gaze up at him with his blue eyes and mean every bit of surprise and awe in them. Like he hadn’t expected it either, but he should have known that they’d end up here either way.
“What did it mean, huh?” Ramsey asked him. Still looking at himthatway.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Nate said, unconvincingly.
