The twins hugged each of his arms. “Give him a chance, Katt,” Marcus said softly. “I bet he’ll like you for you.”
Katt wanted to believe him, but a tightness in his chest prevented him from finding out. What was wrong with him?What did itreallymatter? It wasn’t as if his world would crumble if he and Franco stopped being friends… right?
“Why are you so scared to talk to him?” Mickey asked quietly. “Is it because you maybe like himmorethan a friend?”
Katt flinched. The question landed somewhere it shouldn’t have, stirring something Samson had already nudged at earlier. “What?” he frowned. “No, I…” He stopped. The honest answer wasn’t there when he reached for it. He’d never thought about Francothatway—had he? It had never surfaced, never announced itself. But maybe that wasn’t the same as it not being there. Maybe that was why Franco’s finding out felt so different from Todd’s betrayal. So much worse. “I… don’t know,” he whispered, and meant it in more ways than one.
“Maybe he likes you, too… that way,” Marcus proposed.
“No.” Katt shook his head. “No, he likes girls. He’s never…” He shook his head again. “No… he doesn’t like me that way.”
Garrett looked thoughtful. “He dates a lot?”
“Yeah,” Katt started, then shrugged. “I mean, hedid.That’s what he said, anyway. He hasn’t dated so much since we…” Katt bit his lower lip and mumbled, “… since we became roommates.”
No, it isn’t possible—he isn’t attracted to you! He isn’t even gay!
“Maybe you should…” Garrett smiled small. “… keep an open mind about him.” He gestured casually toward the door. “He’s here for you. Maybe talk to him and…” He shrugged. “… see where it goes?”
Katt glanced at Samson, as if for guidance. After what just happened between them, the man felt like a safe space, someone he couldtrust.
“Maybe give him a chance to tell his side,” Samson murmured, cupping Katt’s neck. He kissed Katt on the head. “And then, if you still don’t trust him, then you do what you gottado. And we’ll be here for you, supporting whichever decision you make.”
Katt looked at the man, eyes damp, his heart in his throat, and nodded.
21
Katt paused in the rec room doorway. He didn’t announce his presence as he watched Franco playing pool with Lucas, Derek, and Sean, while the others looked on. Franco didn’t look nearly as uncomfortable with the porn stars as Katt had felt at first. But then, Franco wasn’t expected to fuck one of them.
The urge to turn around and go back upstairs to Samson and the twins was almost irresistible. The trio had quickly become a “safe space” for him. Not only them, but Garrett as well. Even the guys here in the rec room. They had all welcomed him with open arms, quick to offer friendship and camaraderie. Even after learning he had lied to them, they hadn’t judged or condemned him.
Katt understood now why Sean had stayed.
Sensing someone behind him, Katt turned around. Royal’s boyfriend, Scotty, stood looking at him. Royal and Scotty hadn’t been present when Katt revealed he had lied.
“Who’s that?” Scotty spoke quietly, almost timidly, as he glanced past Katt into the room. Something about him reminded Katt of the twins.
“He’s…” Katt sighed. “Here to see me.”
“He’s your friend?”
Katt looked at Franco. “I thought so,” he whispered. “I don’t know for sure anymore.”
Scotty moved closer to the doorway. “Is hejusta friend, or…?”
Shaking his head, Katt mumbled, “I don’t know that either.”
For a long, quiet moment, Scotty stared into the room at the other young men. “If he matters to you…” Scotty’s voice dropped to hardly more than a whisper. “… tell him.” He turned his eyes to Katt’s face, and something in them tugged at Katt’s heart. “Nothing hurts more than walking away from the one you love, and always wondering what might have been… if you’d just been honest with them.”
“Telling on me, are you, babe?”
Katt jumped and turned to see Royal walking their way. He wrapped his arms around Scotty from behind and hugged him deeply. “Lucky for me,” Royal murmured, kissing Scotty’s head as he looked at Katt. “I got a second chance.” He drew the boy tighter against him. “Not everyone is so lucky. So, best not to waste yourfirstchance.” He winked. “Just in case it’s youronlyone.”
Royal whispered something in Scotty’s ear that made the boy smile, and the two wandered away, arms wrapped tightly around each other, and heads together.
When Katt turned back to the rec room, he was caught in Franco’s stare. Katt felt himself backing away before he could consider his actions. Passing the pool stick to one of the other guys, Franco followed him into the spacious entrance area.
“Katt, wait…”
