Page 35 of The Baritone's Rival

“I’m surprised you’re up,” Trent said, crossing to the small kitchen table and resting his elbows on the deep red tablecloth. “You don’t seem like a morning sunshine person. You seem more like a two a.m. poppers person.”

Oscar sighed. “I can be both. Just because I like to have a good time doesn’t mean I don’t know how to get things done.”

Trent didn’t respond. He needed to stop making assumptions about this man. He was looking like a fool.

After a couple of moments, he couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Thanks for cooking breakfast. I know you don’t need it.”

“Maybe not, but I wanted it.” Oscar flipped the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate and cracked two eggs into the hot grease.

“Sometimes getting what you want is just as important as getting what you need,” Oscar continued, his voice taking on a flirty lilt.

“Oh?”

Oscar turned, his face sporting a sly smile that was offset by a thin layer of scruff. He sauntered over to the table, leaning over so that his lips were a few inches from Trent’s. They looked plush and delicious, and Trent was struck by a desire to ravage them.

Oscar was so close, his hair falling around both of their heads, his brown eyes warm and piercing. All it would take was a slight push upward, a slight crane of the neck, and Trent could feel those lips against his own.

He was moving slowly, almost imperceptibly, but it was happening. He was getting dragged toward Oscar, his body taking over for his short-circuited brain. Oscar waited there patiently.

The loud slam of the bedroom door closing broke the moment, and they separated. Oscar snapped back to the stovetop.

“Look at you two early birds!” Justin giggled and walked over to Oscar at the stove. He wore the same pajama pants and t-shirt that he’d arrived in the day before. “Good morning.”

Justin gave Oscar a tight hug. Trent stared as Justin’s slender arms stretched across Oscar’s back, just above where Trentimagined Oscar’s butt crack began. Trent’s hands grasped at the thin kitchen tablecloth, his heart beating in his ears.

Trent berated himself even as he had the reaction. Jealousy? Is that what was happening now? It was so basic.

As Oscar broke off the hug with a stiff smile, Justin winked at Trent.

The little brat.

“Do you want breakfast?” Oscar asked Justin, and the warmth in his voice caused Trent’s stomach to sputter with rage bubbles. Luckily, Justin shook his head. Good. Oscar had made breakfast just for him.

“I’m not into food. Don’t miss it.” Justin glided over to one of the windows facing out of the front of the house, moving aside the dainty lace curtains to gaze out into the dense forest surrounding them.

“What are you looking at?” Trent asked, trying not to sound peeved.

“Nothing, really.” Justin turned back to Oscar and Trent. “But I think I should go out and patrol. Wearetechnically on the run. And I need something to do!” Justin smiled widely and headed out the front door.

“Be back in a few hours!”

After he was gone, Trent grunted and rolled his eyes.

“What?” Oscar asked, a confused look on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like him.”

“Justin?” Oscar grabbed a brown ceramic plate and slid the two crispy eggs onto it. “He’s a good kid.”

“He’s too chipper, too cutesy. He’s hiding something.” Trent leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

“What are you talking about?” Oscar added a few slices of bacon and placed the plate in front of Trent. Trent breathed inthe smoky smell, sucking the tendrils of flavor into his lungs. He loved breakfast.

“I don’t trust him. There’s something going on there.”

“He’s my friend.” Oscar sat down across from Trent. He picked up a slice of bacon and took a bite. “He’s been through a lot.”

“He wants to be more than your friend,” Trent said through a mouthful of crispy pork.

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