Page 36 of Can't Stop Now

Will smiled. “You can have the bed, Jacob. I’ll be nice,” he said, smiling at Jacob.

They headed back downstairs.

“So. I have wine, I have beer, I have everything that you see here,” Maya said, gesturing at various bottles on her kitchen counter.

“Oooooh…” Will said, rubbing his hands together and examining the various drinks. He turned to Jacob. “I should warn you that when Maya and I get together, we can tend to party pretty hard.”

“If by party you mean get drunk, gossip, and laugh at jokes no one else would find funny, then yes, we partyveryhard,” Maya said, laughing.

Will was so relieved to see Maya. He had been having an amazing time with Jacob the past few days, but Jacob was… complicated. Especially after last night. If Jacob was openly gay, interested in a relationship, and not moving to another city, Will would be kneeling at his feet for the opportunity to date him. But he was a straight guy who wanted a wife and kids, and Will didn’t know if he was just interested in him for the duration of this road trip. There was no denying the connection they had; Will had come harder than he ever had last night, and also felt at home in Jacob’s arms. But looking at him today was breaking his heart a little bit. He felt like he wanted more than Jacob would ultimately want to give him. And so he’d try to play it cool.

“Make me whatever your latest mixologist concoction is,” Will said to Maya, sitting down on a barstool at her kitchen counter.

“Coming right up. I’ve been experimenting with this elderflower liqueur, you willlooooveit. Jacob, can I get you anything?” Maya said, looking at Jacob standing next to Will.

“I don’t think I’m gonna drink tonight, actually. I’ll have a coke,” he said.

“Oh! Okay. No problem, we’ve got tons of sodas in the fridge. Feel free,” Maya said, as she prepared her and Will’s drinks.

“You sure you don’t want anything, Jacob?” Will said, looking over at him.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it. You guys feel free, though,” Jacob said, grabbing a soda from the fridge.

Will could tell that something was slightly off with Jacob today. He figured that Jacob might be regretting the previous night. It would explain his not drinking, and would explain why he had said earlier that he “sure as hell wasn’t going to tell anyone” about what he had done with Will.

Will looked over at Jacob as he sat on a barstool near him, and felt a pang of sadness. He hadn’t considered that last night might have been the only time Jacob would kiss him like that, and hold him as he fell asleep.

“So tell me what you guys have been up to! You’ve been on the road, what, like three days now? You being inspired by the great open roads of America?” Maya said, handing Will his drink and taking a sip of her own.

“Yep, this will be our fourth night on the road. It’s actually been way more low-key than I expected – when you think of doing a cross-country trip, it seems like it’ll be mind-numbing hours of driving. And a lot of it is, but I feel like I’ve gotten to see cities I may never have otherwise gotten to,” Jacob said.

“Yeah, definitely… it’ been fun. And I would never have done it on my own, so I’m glad this guy dragged me along,” Will said, tugging on the top part of Jacob’s sleeve.

“Yeah, it really seems like you guys made fast friends. Will was telling me that he felt terrible barging into the house of a stranger back in New York and now here you are on a road trip together. It’s awesome,” Maya said, smiling and raising her eyebrows at Will.

“Yeah, it definitely is kinda crazy, but it’s been really good,” Jacob said, taking a swig of soda.

“Maya. Tell me about your awesome grad school life. I wanna know everything! Mostly gossip, though, y’know,” Will said, laughing. The drink that Maya had made him was really good, if a little strong.

Maya sighed. “Well, grad school is super hard already, like I’ve told you. But Boulder is the best. I seriously have fallen in love with it completely, I never want to leave.”

“This area really is beautiful, even just driving in the mountains were gorgeous. You’re lucky to live here,” Jacob said, nodding.

“I really am thankful. But hey, Will said you’re going to San Diego, right? That’s gonna be fucking awesome too,” Maya said, taking another sip of her drink.

“Yeah, it’s weird to think I’ll be there in just a few days. I have no plans other than starting my new job, and I’m nervous as hell for that,” Jacob said. “I don’t know how I’m gonna meet people without school, either,” he added.

“I know. It’s hard, even in grad school. But,” Maya said, raising her eyebrows and looking at Will, “remember that cute girl I told you about on the phone? She’s coming tonight, to the club. I’m hoping I can make something happen.” Maya smiled mischievously at Will.

“Girl, youwillmake something happen. I know you can. I’m excited to meet her. What’s her name?” Will asked.

“Sarah. And be nice! We can’t be too crazy around her, I’m trying to make a good impression,” Maya said, laughing.

They chatted in the kitchen for a few more minutes, and Jacob got up to go use the restroom. As soon as he was out of earshot, Maya leaned in close to Will.

“Will. Holy shit. First of all, he iswickedhot, so kudos to you on that. Second, what is the deal? Are you guys athing? Y’know…” Maya whispered eagerly in Will’s ear.

“I don’t know, Maya. Yeah, he is…intenselyhot,” Will said, closing his eyes momentarily and letting out a small sigh. “But he’sstraight. Or so he says. I don’t know! I’m as confused as you are, girl. I really like him, but I’m not gonna let myself get hurt again. I want a realboyfriend. And I don’t think he’s gonna want the same thing,” Will said, sighing and shrugging.

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