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“Sure, that’d be great.”
Chris leaned around her and shot me an incredulous look. “Seriously?”
I felt a warm hand squeeze my shoulder from behind, and then Teo’s calm voice chimed in. “Jack, can we—”
“No, Teo,” Chris said with annoyance. “You’re not going to defend this guy—your boyfriend—hitting on my date.”
I laughed until Teo’s hand moved over my mouth. Then I wanted to lick it, but I refrained.
“Chris,” Teo said with the patience of a saint. “In case this wasn’t clear before, Jack is gay. Like, all the way gay. He’s not trying to hit on Chelsea. There’s such a thing as making new friends.”
Chelsea chuckled. “I wasn’t aware we were dating, Chris. But if you’re looking for something serious, I’m game.”
I could tell it was a test because clearly Chris wasn’t the commitment type.
“We don’t have to be dating for me to want you not to pick up other guys while we’re out together.”
I brought my hand to cover Teo’s over my mouth and pressed a kiss to his palm before moving his hand down to my chest and holding it there. He leaned forward and wrapped his other arm around my neck too.
“Chris,” Teo tried again, but Chelsea interrupted.
“It’s fine. Actually, after talking about the LSAT, I think I’m just going to head home and make sure I get a good night’s sleep.” She turned to Chris. “Thank you for inviting me. If you want to try again sometime, give me a call. Otherwise, I encourage you to think about your own sexuality and what you really want.” She looked over my shoulder at Teo.
Damn.
I felt Teo’s grip tighten against my chest. Chris’s nostrils flared.
“I’ll walk you out,” he mumbled before standing.
Once they were gone, I stood up to stretch and wander back to where the food was again. Teo and Jay stood up and joined me.
“Damn, boy,” Jay said. “That was some drama right there. What the fuck is wrong with Chris tonight?”
Hannah stood up and joined us too. “He’s finally having to compete for Teo’s affection,” she said with a laugh. “Poor kid. He has no idea how to handle himself.”
Jay looked back and forth between Hannah, Teo, and me. “What? What do you mean? Teo’s brought guys around before. He’s always got a boyfriend.”
That was a surprise to me, and by the look on Teo’s face, it was a surprise to him as well.
“No I haven’t.” He stepped closer to me. “Jack’s the first man I’ve brought around. Ever.” I reached over and ran my fingers through his hair, using it as an excuse to pull him even closer.
Jay continued to look between us, reality dawning as complete surprise and disappointment to him. “No way. For real? How is that…” He seemed to stop and think it through. “I remember telling Chris I was going to ask you out a while back, and he told me you were seeing someone. After that, every time I brought it up again, he told me you were involved and just didn’t like to bring the guy around us for some reason. Why would Chris lie to me about that?”
Teo didn’t say anything, but Hannah wasn’t as circumspect. “Because Chris wants to have his cake and eat it too. Poor Tee has been carrying a torch for Chris for years,” she said softly. “And Chris does just enough to keep him on the hook. Sorry, Teo, but it’s true.”
Jay frowned. “But Chris is straight.”
Hannah snorted. “No. He’s not. I have a friend who was at a sex party with him once and said Chris was just as into the hot dogs as he was the tacos. In fact, I think there were times he was enjoying both at the same time.”
She glanced over at Teo with a wince. “Sorry, babe.”
I looked down at Teo’s poor face that was deep, blotchy red. I couldn’t see his eyes since they were currently inspecting the carpet.
Jay still couldn’t work it out. He was getting more upset by the minute, to the point I was starting to feel a tiny bit jealous. “So, wait. Are you saying—”
Just then Chris walked back into the suite and whistled. “Whew. Dodged a bullet there, I think. Sorry, guys.”
Teo’s chin came up. “You were so fucking rude to her!”
Everyone stood still in the awkward silence. Teo continued. His body seemed to be nearly vibrating next to me. “Why bring her if you’re going to ignore her? Huh? Why? You acted like she was a complete waste of your time when all she wanted to do was be friendly with everyone. And then the minute someone actually gives her the time of day, you throw a hissy fit like some kind of…” He threw up his hands. “Whatever.”
He turned back to me with a look of pleading in his face. “Can we go please?”
