Page 33 of Nate

When it did, Kevin stood there, his dreads tied up into a high bun. He was wearing the same Doc Oc and Spiderman tee he’d had on when they met. Nate noticed the sleeves were tighter than they were previously, his developed arms filling out the material. That wasn’t the only thing that was different. Instead of the friendly expression he’d had when Nate first saw him in that shirt, Kevin was now sporting a frown.

“How’d you get up here?”

“You know those buzzer systems aren’t fool proof. I just smiled at a lady going in and held the door open for her. Walked in right behind her.”

Kevin narrowed his eyes. “Just like a serial killer.”

“Yeah, except I’m not here to kill you, just to explain a few things.” Kevin didn’t move out of the doorway. That was fine with him. He’d do this in the hallway if he had to. “First, I wasn’t using you. Yes, we are planning to do a before and after marketing plan. And I’d considered asking you. But no matter what Vanessa said, I didn’t take you on for that purpose. I likeyou, Kevin. That’s theonlyreason I got involved with you. Hell, I forgot about looking for a candidate and left it in the hands of the staff member who came up with the idea.”

“What about the pictures you took?”

“Those were for you, just like I told you. Your body has changed dramatically and sometimes, just looking at ourselves in the mirror doesn’t show us that.” He cleared his throat. “Except for that last picture. That one was for me. You looked amazing.” Nate reached out and brushed a thumb over the smooth line of Kevin’s jaw. “Shy and sweet just like always.” Kevin knocked his hand away.

“Yeah, the shy, gullible, virgin nerd who was building your mobile app for you.”

Nate felt like someone had kicked him in the stomach. How could he be so fucking stupid? “Kevin, I promise this isn’t like what happened in college. I’m not that asshole soccer player who used you for good grades. I’d never pull any bullshit like that.” Kevin didn’t respond, just looked at him with his beautiful brown eyes full of doubt. Frustrated, Nate gripped the door frame. “I’ve already had someone else picked to do the damn promo and I can find someone else to create the app, all right? I don’t need you todoanything for me, I just want you with me.”

Kevin stared up at him. He still didn’t say anything, but a little of the tension started to ease from his body. Nate wasn’t sure what else he could say to convince Kevin, but he opened his mouth to try. Unfortunately, before he could say anything, a loudpingcame from within the apartment.

Kevin looked over his shoulder towards his computer, then back at Nate. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ve got a Skype call with a client.”

Nate clenched his jaw once. “I can wait inside while you take it.”

Kevin shook his head. “No... uh, it’s gonna be a long chat.” He started to close the door. “Sorry, Nate.”

Nate stepped back and Kevin closed the door in his face.

Chapter Thirteen

Kevin sat on the couch, wireless game controller in hand. He was playing through one of his favorite first-person shooters with his online team, but his mind wasn’t on the game. Nate was on his mind instead of the zombie soldiers he was supposed to be taking out.

He’d been tricked again. Except, this one hurt a lot more than the soccer player who’d used him. He’d been starting to have feelings of the love variety when Vanessa revealed Nate’s motives for spending time with him. But what hurt the most was the fact that he’d trusted Nate. Now that his trust had been broken, he refused to answer Nate’s texts or calls.

But maybe... Maybe Vanessa had lied. Nate’s passion had appeared real. Especially the last time they’d been together, when he’d given Nate permission to be as rough as he wanted. That couldn’t be faked, could it? He heard cursing in his head set.

“Damnit, Special K! What are you doing?”

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