Page 20 of Best Friends

“Well, whatever it is, I don’t have time for it,” Jesse said. He kicked off his shorts and briefs and headed for the showers.

“Jess.”

He turned to look at Hayden.

Hayden’s stare lowered and roamed over his body.

Jesse swallowed, struggling to stand there with Hayden having a feast for the eyes. But he liked it. He loved the feeling of Hayden staring at his naked body. Hayden’s stare rose and met his. Heat flooded Jesse’s body.

A need unlike anything he’d ever known.

No… I’ve known this before.

The outer door swung open, and two guys walked in, breaking whatever spell they had on one another. The pair looked between them oddly, so Jesse spun and walked into the showers. A little part of him hoped Hayden would follow him. He washed the sweat from his body, turning, watching…

Waiting…

When it was apparent that Hayden wasn’t coming, he washed his hair and turned off the water. Grabbing a towel on his way out of the shower, he didn’t see any signs that Hayden was there. After drying off and getting dressed, he headed out into the gym—again he saw no signs of Hayden.

Mac and Benji were on a different machine, looking thick as thieves.

And then he saw it.

Benji looked up, a sly smile on his lips.

Benji likes him.

Jesse felt a slight smile spreading over his own lips. That’s why I was unwelcome. He wanted to be alone with Mac.He turned, before Benji caught him staring, and headed out, feeling a little bit better. He climbed into his truck and headed home.

Alone, once more.

* * * *

By the time he got home, Hayden was parked out front. Jesse frowned, not sure he was mentally prepared for another round, especially when he wasn’t sure where this would go. He took a deep breath before getting out of his truck and heading up to the door.

“What’re you doing here?”

“You asked me that last time… am I not allowed to visit a friend?” Hayden asked.

“Is that what we are right now? Friends? Because the last few weeks haven’t felt very friendly.” He paused, Hayden’s words coming back to him. “Wait… the last time? The last time I asked you that was when you showed up here, drunk at my door.”

He paused, seeing a look cross Hayden’s face.

“I didn’t think you remembered coming here?” Or all the things that came after.

From the look Hayden gave, he remembered everything. “I thought it might be better to just let it go.”

Jesse stood there, sensing something heavy coming off Hayden in waves.

“I can’t let it go,” Hayden whispered before moving close and pulling Jesse into his arms.

Hayden slanted his head and kissed Jesse.

Jesse gasped against Hayden’s lips, still reeling from the last time this happened. He didn’t know what to do. He wanted to kiss Hayden back… he wanted to know what it felt like to be in his friend’s arms for real.

This is going to ruin everything. I can’t lose him when things go sideways.

And they will go sideways…

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