Page 93 of See My Words

Rylan gave him a tight squeeze, feeling Minh tremble against him. “Hey, I’m gonna watch out for Chris, too. I’ll bring him back to you all safe and sound.”

Minh rested his head against Rylan’s shoulder. “It’s not even that so much,” he mumbled, clinging to him. “It’s just—I’m afraid once he gets a taste of that life again, hangin’ around a silly ol’ drag queen ain’t gonna sound all that awesome.”

Rylan wanted more than anything to spout all the reassurances Minh needed to hear, but he couldn’t. From conversations he’d had with Chris in the past, he knew the man was a thrill-seeker at heart, an adrenaline junkie who enjoyed taking risks in order to get that one perfect shot. His ordeal in Libya had shaken him to his core, but once he overcame those fears and experienced that high again? Rylan couldn’t promise Minh a damn thing.

So he just hugged him. “Love’s a bitch,” he whispered. “A real cunt.”

Minh snorted before pulling away to toss his head with a determined air. “Well, I’m too fabulous for it. No matter what happens, I will always slay.” He grabbed his popcorn bowl and struck a pose.

“That’s right. Keep slaying, gorgeous.” Rylan kissed his cheek. “And know you’ll always have my heart.”

Minh winked at him before marching back to the living room. After another minute or two, Rylan followed, and he settled in a corner of the couch opposite the two of them to watch a movie on Chris’s laptop.

The movie was good, but the dark room soon had the obvious effect, and before long, the sound of long, slow kisses and rough breathing overshadowed the dialogue. Rylan sprawled there in a pleasant haze, a low-grade arousal thrumming through him.

At one point, Minh disentangled himself from Chris and came over to straddle Rylan’s lap in one smooth, sensual motion. He cupped Rylan’s cheeks in gentle fingers, his eyes slumberous, full of heat and inquiry. Rylan looked up into his face as Minh circled his hips against him, letting Rylan feel his erection.

Rylan smiled, giving a tiny shake of his head. Minh grazed their lips together before pushing off Rylan’s lap to go back into Chris’s arms. Getting to his feet, Rylan trudged into the bedroom to give them some privacy, closing his door softly behind him.

Chapter Fifteen

IF THERE WAS ONE THING Scott knew in life, it’s what it was like to hit rock bottom. He’d been there more than once, after all, but it’d been a hell of a long time since he’d felt lower than he did right now, looking at Corey’s defeated face.

“MC₂ is dropping you, Scott.”

Scott gazed at the floor, not even attempting to babble excuses or lame justifications.

“The whole reason they do a ninety-day preliminary contract,” Corey went on hoarsely, “is so they’re not locked into something long-term with a new model who can’t seem to live up to their standards and what they want for their image.” He slammed his fist to the desk, making Scott jump. “A beautiful party boy out playing the field, experiencing everything life has to offer him? Hell yes. A brawler, someone who shows himself to be a—an utter prick? Fuck no.”

“I’m so sorry, Corey—”

“Save it.” Corey turned his head away as if he couldn’t bear the sight of Scott one more second. “Please go. We’ll talk later.”

Scott shuffled out of the office, supposing he should be relieved he hadn’t been fired from Spectrum outright, although it was clear his days were numbered. As much as he owed Corey, as much as Scott was so fucking grateful to him for everything he’d done, having it end like this was causing him no small amount of anguish.

Minh was waiting in the hallway. He took one look at Scott and pulled him into a tight hug.

“It’s over, then?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Scotty, I—”

Scott backed away, not really wanting to talk about it. “It’s okay, Minh. I’ll manage.” He changed the subject. “Have you seen Rylan? How is he?”

Minh’s eyes were worried, but he let it go. “He’s fine. He and Chris are flying out bright and early Sunday morning, you know. Rylan said he called and told you.”

Scott remembered the brief and stilted call from a few days ago, quirking his lips ruefully. “He did, and it took everything I had to keep from begging him not to go.”

Minh gave a subdued chuckle, sounding surprised by Scott’s candor. “Right there with you, baby. The struggle is real.”

“I couldn’t tell if Rylan wanted me to beg, or was relieved I didn’t.”

Minh pressed a sympathetic kiss to Scott’s shoulder. “He’s a stoic one, you know that, honey. I can tell he’s excited about the trip, but it’s still gonna be hard on him to leave, I think.”

Scott dropped his head back against the wall and blew out a breath. “This is the right thing to do, but fuck, it hurts.”

“Especially with everythin’ goin’ on right now. I’m sure you need him.”