Page 65 of Loving You

Adele’s smile dropped a little. “I hope they didn’t mess with your schedule.”

Monty shook his head. “Not at all. It was just Lucas, and I could tell he was worried about his dad. I didn’t…I had no idea how Bronx was feeling. We’ve talked a little, but I’ve been busy and?—”

“Uncertain?” Adele offered when Monty hesitated. “Trust me, I get it. I’ve been on the struggle bus about feelings for a good portion of my life. But I’m not exactly sure what the boys think I can help you with. I’m not exactly successful in the love department.”

Now that he was about to say it, Monty felt foolish.Help me woo the man I’m fucking in hopes he’ll compromise his very clear need to not be tied down?Christ, he was screwed. He jolted when he felt a warm hand touch his own, and he looked up into Adele’s eyes.

“You look a little pale.”

Did he? He checked in with himself. His vision was clear, and he wasn’t feeling any of the aura that usually came right before he went limp. He was just nervous, but he also didn’t want to take any risks.

“If I faint or go unconscious, please don’t call the paramedics,” Monty said.

Adele blinked like he’d just been slapped. “Does that happen?”

“I have a condition,” Monty explained. God, he was so tired of explaining himself to people. He was tempted to just wear a damn sign around his neck.

“Okay. I can do that,” Adele said—like it was as easy as that. No argument, no questions, just…okay? Monty wasn’t sure he’d ever experienced that answer before. It was no wonder Bronx was afraid to let these men too close. They were too damn good.

“Thank you.” He glanced at the counter, then rose. “I’m going to get water. Do you mind if I take a moment?”

“Take as many as you need. I’m off work, and I don’t feel like being home right now.”

There was a story there, but it wasn’t Monty’s place to ask about it. He headed for the counter and asked for some ice water, then grabbed three of the very large, very soft-looking chocolate chip cookies that were wrapped in cling film and put on display.

If he saw Lucas and Bronx again, it would be a very small gesture of apology for being such a shit.

Sitting back down, Monty took a long drink of the cold water, then folded his hands on the table. “I want to—forgive the phrase, but—woo Bronx. Lucas and his friend? Your son?”

“Gage,” Adele said, sounding suddenly very tired.

“They seemed to think you’d be the best one to help me with that. Lucas says the two of you are a lot alike.”

Adele’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “Yeah. According to them, we’re both old men.”

Monty’s cheeks heated a bit. “That’s not a bad thing in my book.”

Adele’s smile got even wider. “I bet it’s not. But you know, I don’t think you were doing such a bad job to begin with. I thought everything was good with you two.”

Monty bowed his head. “It was…until I panicked. I just didn’t realize I was until Lucas showed up. I…” Monty paused, licking his lips nervously. “I like him. And liking him is breaking all the rules.”

Adele cocked his head to the side and studied Monty for a second. “Is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Bronx told me he’s into you. I know you two had an…arrangement, but it seems to me the two of you blurred that line almost immediately.”

They had. There was no denying that. They were friends, yes. They had benefits, yes. But they actedlike a couple in bed—and even out of bed. Bronx had declared himself boyfriend in front of Monty’s dad and hadn’t taken it back. He’d stood beside him and let him stand up for himself and had an almost supernatural ability to sense when Monty needed more support.

And he’d never, ever made him feel like he was a burden or a freak—the one thing Monty had been most afraid of.

He could only hope that he’d been those same things for Bronx too. But they’d avoided talking about this like the plague, and that was where they’d both failed.

“So just…talk to him?”

Adele chuckled. “Yeah, hon. Maybe cook him dinner, buy him flowers…his ex was a real shithead. He doesn’t need it, but Bronx might appreciate a little romance here and there.”

Monty could do that. He could more than do that. He’d be turning this entire thing on its head and changing their dynamic, but he could also ensure that Bronx felt appreciated and adored every second Monty was allowed in his life.

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