Page 70 of Cross My Heart

“Can you just get me two shots, Dad?” he snaps.

I narrow my eyes at him, and he does the same, but because I just want to have a chill night, I do as he asks, getting him the two shots of Jameson. One for him, one for Thomas.

“How are you getting home?” I ask him as I hand them over.

“Who said I’ll be home tonight?” he says, a snarky tone laced with his words.

“Oh.” I nod. “So that’s how we’re playing this.”

“No one’s playing anything,” Noah snaps, and my nostrils flare. “I met someone who likes me and I’m gonna give him a chance.”

Gus coughs, hiding his face behind his hand, but I can tell he finds this amusing.

Grabbing Noah by the jacket, I pull him into me until my lips are against the shell of his ear. “So give him a chance, baby.” Noah stiffens, and I smile. “Fuck him good for me, yeah? Then tell me about it later.”

“What the fuck’s your problem now, Tyler?” he growls.

“You’re the one bringing him tomybar for your little date. Where you knew I would see you.” I roll my eyes because frankly, it’s childish. “If you want me to pay attention to you, all you had to do was say that.”

“I don’t need your attention?—”

“I beg to differ.” I shrug. “Now why don’t you take him out for dinner and get the fuck out of here?”

“Are you kicking me out?” He clenches his jaw, and I grin. “Because that’s low even for you.”

“Iamkicking you out,” I affirm. “This round is on me, then you will get your date the fuck out of my bar, and you can fuck him at his house.”

“He’s your friend too.”

“He’ll stop being my friend the moment your cock goes inside of him.” I shrug, kissing his cheek sweetly. “So think about that.”

Noah pulls away, a frown on his face, and he looks at me. When the sky-blue of his eyes connects with mine, my stomach flutters. Fuck, I hate everything about this.

“Fine,” Noah growls. “I’ll be home later.”

“Thought so.” I nod.

“Watch it, Tyler.”

I grin and wink at him. “Don’t stay out too late, baby.”

“Fuck off.”

I laugh as he turns away from me and goes back to Thomas. Gus just watches me with amusement, that is, until I give him all of my attention once more.

“You’re so fucked,” he says, and I nod. “And so is he.”

“He doesn’t care.”

“Bullshit.” He laughs. “That wasn’t the face of someone who didn’t care. And he came here to rile you up. To rub it in your face.”

“I know.” I grin, because even I know Noah can’t stay away from me for long. It’s just a matter of time until he breaks and gives in. “I’m going to seduce him. Make it to where he has no choice but to want to be with me.”

“You do that, buddy.” Gus chuckles. “But he’s not going to make it easy for you.”

“I know,” I reply, watching as Noah and Thomas leave the bar. “But I have my ways.Andit’s Noah. We’ve been in love for a goddamned decade. Thomas-nobody isn’t going to take him away from me with two conversations.”

Gus nods at that. “Let’s hope you’re right.”

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