Page 59 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

I turn back around, heading for the stairs I saw at the front of the house. Joey’s bedroom must be on the second floor.

He laughs as I zip past. “Feel free to look around,” he calls after me.

“Thanks,” I yell back.

I find the bathroom first. The walls are a deeper green than the color downstairs, emerald maybe, and the floor is done in black-and-white tiles. Next is a closet. Boring. Joey’s bedroom is at the end of the short hall.

I peek my head in, nearly gasping when I see the dark navy walls and the giant bed adorned with a good dozen pillows.

“Oh my God,” I whisper, pushing the door open wider and stepping inside. There’s a gray-and-white rug at the foot of the bed, super soft to the touch, and the curtains must have blackout linings because hardly any light is peeking through.

It’sperfect.

“I liked how dark your room was,” Joey says from the doorway. “Thought I’d do something similar in here.”

“You painted it this way?” I ask, surprised by that.

He nods, walking toward the dresser and removing his fanny pack. I make a small sound of mourning, even though it’sfine. Not like he can wear it twenty-four seven. Or hecould, but it probably wouldn’t be comfortable. I suppose his stomach looks good without it, too.Helooks good. Any which way, really.

The strong thighs. The thick core. His lovely face, and the big arms that feel so perfect wrapped around me. I’m not a small guy, but Joey is bigger, and he makes me feel protected. Safe. Which is probably why I like having those arms around me so much, right? Like,reallylike it. Love it, even. Want it more than anything.

“Brad?”

I startle, realizing Joey is talking to me. “Sorry, what?”

He shifts on his feet, eyes aimed toward the ground. “There’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Oh no,” I mutter aloud, my stomach dropping.

Joey stills, meeting my gaze. “What? What is it?”

“You have the voice. I did something wrong, didn’t I?”

“What? No,” he says quickly.

“I was rude tonight, wasn’t I?”

“No, not rude. Just…”

“I was hogging you,” I say, that hollow space in my gut growing. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Joey. I didn’t mean to. I just… Logan was there, and… I don’t know. I just wanted…”

“Hey,” Joey says, walking closer. “It’s okay, bub. I’m not mad.”

“You’re not?”

“No,” he says, reaching for me. “Of course not. Come here.”

I blow out a breath, practically falling against Joey’s chest as his arms wrap around me tight.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, burying my face against his shoulder. “I don’t know what my problem was.”

Joey exhales roughly, his hands rubbing up and down my back in a soothing manner. My own slip under his shirt, settling on his skin. He’s warm. So very warm. “It’s okay,” he says again, his voice a little raspy.

“I probably shouldn’t come on your dates anymore, huh?” I say, even though I hate it. I don’t want Joey going on dates without me.

Jason was right. Idowant all his time.

“I’ve been the worst friend,” I mumble.

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