Page 56 of Coming Clean

“It’s totally my fault.”Connor reluctantly stood and pulled on his boxers andshorts.

“Is she feeling better?”Jeremy asked.

“Yeah, but she shouldn’t beworking as hard as I’m sure she is. This is the first time I’vebeen late since I started this company.”

“I want to say I’m sorryagain, but I think I’m actually flattered.” Jeremy’s grin hadConnor’s heart rate speeding up. “Do you need me to helpyou?”

Jeremy’s question surprisedConnor. “With the cleaning?”

Jeremy nodded.“Yeah.”

“You would dothat?”

“Sure. Ican clean things,I just usually don’t.”

Connor grinned. “Thanks.That’s… thanks. Sabrina and I can handle it, though. The ownershave already moved out, so the house is empty. It should be an easyjob, but I hate that I have to go now.”

Jeremy gave him a slowonce-over. “Me too. Come back when you’re done.”

Connor hadn’t expectedthat. He’d been scared to expect anything more from Jeremy. “Yousure?”

“Very sure.”

“Then you can count on it.We should be done by six.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

For the next fewweeks, Connor spent at least a few hours of each day (and sometimesthe whole night) at Jeremy’s house. They’d stayed in, in bed forthe most part. Not wanting to screw up what was working so well,Jeremy hadn’t worked up the nerve to ask Connor about going outyet, but this couldn’t go on forever—Connor coming over to fuck himsix ways from Sunday then slipping away before dawn. Though he hadto admit there was something delicious about having a clandestinerelationship. Jeremy hadn’t even told David anything except that heand Connor had talked and Jeremy had forgiven him.

It wasn’t as if he was thekind of man who needed to go out every night, or even once a week.During school breaks, he’d been happy to hide in his cabin forweeks at a time, writing, watching movies, and ignoring the world.But he was making a new start and it was a glorious summer in avibrant neighborhood. Introvert that he was, he still wanted to beout in the fresh air, walking down the street for ice cream or acold beer, or just wandering. What would Connor say if he suggestedthey take a walk together? Even friends took walks.

What are youthinking? his conscience scolded inDavid’s voice. Are you really going topretend to be just friends with your lover after years of beingout?

Was he?As excitingly illicit as it was, he knew the factthat he was hiding the relationship from David was a bad sign, andhe sucked at secrets. He’d avoided hanging out with David for thelast five days because it had become harder and harder not tomention Connor. It was wrong to hide Connor from his best friend,far more wrong than Connor wanting to hide his sexuality. Connorhad never tried to deceive him like he was deceivingDavid.

Jeremy pulled his phonefrom his pocket and texted David, inviting him todinner.

I’ll be there at 7:30.Glad you realize you’ve hidden from me long enough.

What do youmean?

David sent a raised-eyebrowemoji. Jeremy should have known better than to think David wasreally deceived.

Jeremy sighed as he textedConnor. I have plans with Davidtonight. You want to come over tomorrow morning instead?He waited nervously for a reply.

Ok. See youthen. Connor wrote back a few minuteslater.

Hmmm. Hard to tell whatConnor was thinking.But why the hell was he trying to analyze itanyway?

Because you’re inlove.

Ugh.

****

“Hi, honey, I’mhome!” David called, as he let himself in.

Jeremy grinned. He’d missedhis friend. “In the sitting room, dear.” That was Jeremy andDavid’s name for his aunt’s formal living room. Jeremy hadn’t beenallowed in the room unless he was being forced to sit, pressed andstarched, listening as his aunt visited with people who bored himsilly.