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Anthony was taken aback but kept his voice steady since he had nothing to hide. “I wasn’t picking up anyone. I came here straight from the beach.”
Tobias took a sip of coffee. “And who did you speak with on the beach?”
“No one.”
“You’ve been out for more than two hours.”
“So?”
Tobias exhales slowly. “You’re right. I apologize. You must know how insecure I am about you.”
“Insecure?”
“You’re a young man in your prime.”
“But you have me sleeping with other men at the club.”
“Yes, but inmyclub, with whomeverIchoose.”
That sounded a tad hypocritical. “I don’t do anything behind your back.”
Tobias nodded once, but he didn’t look convinced. Anthony had seen his jealous side before, but it was becoming more frequent.
“I’m sorry,” Tobias said. “I don’t want to ruin our vacation, and I’m sure that you can understand why I’m acting this way, considering your past actions.”
“I don’t follow.”
Tobias cocked his head. “Weren’t you and Chris involved for months?”
“Yes...”
“And isn’t he married?”
That one hit Anthony right in the guts. “They have an open relationship.”
“Open relationships are meant for harmless flings, which you and Chris clearly weren’t. But enough about that; I don’t want to make you feel bad. Just try to understand where I’m coming from.” He glanced at his Rolex watch. “We have a few hours left until dinner. Please lie on the bed while I work. I’d like to look at you from time to time.”
Anthony still digested Tobias’s previous words. It felt like they had left a physical wound. He managed to say, “I want to go grab something to eat. I’m starving after the swim.”
“Save room for dinner. That place will cost me a fortune. Go on. If half of Hawaii gets to stare at your body, I very well should, too.”
With a grumbling stomach and a heavy heart, Anthony lay on the bed and waited.
*
“I can’t this weekend, I told you already.”
Tobias watched him silently, his lips a thin line. The restaurant was packed, but the tables were far enough apart to make them feel secluded. It was a new place on the Upper East Side, where every dish cost an arm and a leg, yet managed to be the size of a pinky.
“You did tell me,” Tobias finally said. “However, I asked you to reconsider so we could spend the weekend together. I’ve been busier than usual in the last couple of weeks, and my time with you has been insufficient. It isn’t your fault, obviously, but going away for an entire weekend with your friends... this is on you, Anthony.”
“It’s Ethan’s birthday.” He didn’t mention that Jay had just gotten out of prison, and Ethan and Anthony were taking him to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia for a long weekend. Anthony had never mentioned Jay to Tobias, knowing he would end up getting a lecture about how he shouldn’t be associating with a convicted man.
The trip would not be the same without Chris, but he and Anthony weren’t on good terms, and Chris and Jay weren’t speaking at all for reasons unknown.
“Your friend’s birthday does not require an entire weekend to celebrate,” Tobias said and added, “unless you two are an item.”
“Ethan and I arenotan item.”
