Page 19 of See My Words

A man moved in close to Rylan, and Scott stiffened when he saw it was that fucking Chris. Why was that dude always around? Rylan smiled lazily up at him as Chris slid his hands onto Rylan’s hips with an air of familiarity, like he’d done it before, like he knew it would be welcomed…

Holy shit, were they sleeping together? Scott cast his mind back over the last few weeks, his jaw throbbing as he ground his teeth.

Rylan had certainly been gone most nights, working either here at the club or on his side project. Although he was still keeping the details of his project to himself, he and Scott had spent many a pleasant afternoon sprawled on the couch going through the club photos, editing them, choosing the best ones to send to Corey.

“You know the club vibe best,” Rylan had said. “You know what’s going to stand out to Corey, what’s going to make the most impact on social media.” It made Scott feel good to be included, to feel like Rylan valued his input and opinion, and he knew it was Rylan’s way of keeping him connected to everything, to give him a sense of belonging even when absent.

But obviously Rylan’s nights hadn’t been all business, had they? Scott didn’t know what to make of the jealousy that was slithering through him, tying his insides up in knots. His eyes narrowed when Rylan spread his palms across Chris’s chest with a languid smile. Chris threaded his fingers through Rylan’s belt loops as he pulled him closer, and they looked so good together as they danced, so hot, so in tune, that Scott could suddenly picture how they’d look in bed…

He spun away before he stormed over there and yanked Rylan off the dance floor by the scruff of his neck. Scott could feel veins throbbing in his jaw, and once again, he pulled in deep breaths through his nose, trying to calm down before he gave himself another migraine. Damn it, he had no business being jealous, and he knew it.

Just get your ass home.

He trudged in the direction of the dressing room, intending to see if he could say a quick good-bye to Teena before heading out. Then he’d text Rylan and tell him to go ahead and take the bus home.

Or Chris will just drive him home in the morning.

The involuntary clench of his jaw shot pain clear up into the top of his skull, and he flinched. Just then he heard a cheerful “Hey,” and whirled around to see Rylan himself standing there, looking tousled and flushed. “You leaving?”

Scott gave a terse nod. “Yeah. Headache. See you.” He pushed past him, and Rylan grabbed his arm.

“Wait. You need me to drive you home? Let me grab my stuff—”

Scott jerked his arm away. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t dream of ruining your hookup again,” he said with a slight sneer, and Rylan blinked.

“What’s that supposed to mean? If you need me—”

“I don’t,” Scott interrupted. “You’re obviously busy, so bye.”

Rylan looked confused. “I’m done with the bachelorette party, so it’s okay if I leave any time, Scott. I don’t want you driving if you’re hurting.”

“Really? I’d think you’d be more worried about Chris’s blue balls than my head.” Scott didn’t mean to say that; it just slipped out, and Rylan’s eyes widened.

“What?”

“What do you mean, what? You were practically fucking him on the dance floor just now, Rylan!”

“No, I was…dancing with him.” Rylan spoke slowly, as if to a child, which only infuriated Scott that much more.

“You were making a damn spectacle of yourself, grinding up on him like that.” Once he’d started, Scott couldn’t seem to stop. “It was ridiculous.”

Now Rylan got angry. “Why is my dancing with an attractive man ridiculous?”

“Because he’s so much older than you, and it’s obvious he’s thrilled to be scoring with such a hot, young piece of ass,” Scott sneered. “Midlife crisis much?”

Rylan gasped in outrage, and Scott plowed on. “I didn’t know you had such a daddy fetish, Ry. Or is it purely a money thing with you?” He shrugged. “Either way, it’s embarrassing.”

He walked off toward the employee entrance, ignoring Rylan’s continued sputters, and pushed through the door out into the warm night.

Rylan ran around and got in front of him, impeding his progress.

“That’s fucking insulting, Scott,” he hissed. “Nice to know you think so little of me.”

“I’m just saying.”

Rylan narrowed his eyes and then poked him hard in the chest. “You want me to be honest here?”

Rylan’s color was high, his eyes were flashing, and he looked so goddamn gorgeous Scott went weak in the knees, fisting his hands by his sides to keep from grabbing him.