Page 17 of Past Lovers

“I was hoping you might come out with us on Friday night. We’re gonna grab dinner and then go out for some drinks.”

Clay shook his head. “I already told Jesse no.”

“Adam won’t be there,” Benji added quickly.

Clay frowned. “Why do you think that’s the reason?” The only bad thing with having a close group of friends is everyone always seemed to know his business.

“Jesse said something was up between you—and I figured you might come if you knew Adam wasn’t.” Benji paused. “I don’t know what’s up with you two, but sounds like you might need a night out to let loose.”

“I don’t.”

Benji sighed. “You left Mel, right? Don’t you want to celebrate your freedom?”

Clay closed his eyes. It only made the sex noises next door all the worse. At least he wouldn’t have to listen to Hayden fucking for the evening. And could maybe get a few hours of quiet to sleep in before his current roommate came home. “Is Hayden going?”

“I think.”

“Dinner… I’ll come to dinner. But I’ve got to get up early on Saturday and look for an apartment, so I don’t need to be hungover.”

“Okay… better than nothing.” Benji said. “We’re hitting the new Chinese place on Jackson Street at seven. You know the place?”

“Yeah,” Clay answered. “See you there.”

He hung up, feeling a little shitty that a guys’ night wouldn’t include Adam. They’d all been friends since freshman year…

He made his bed. And he fucked in it.

Chapter Six

Friday Night Lights…

Adam pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant Jesse had texted him. He scanned the lot as he walked through and didn’t see Clay’s Camaro. He let out a relieved sigh… yet at the same time felt a sense of disappointment. Why, he wasn’t sure. Clay avoided him at every turn at work and acted as if he didn’t exist. He really didn’t want to ensure a night of looking across a table at the guy.

Or bringing down the tone of the night.

He walked in, the entrance of the place beautiful. After crossing a narrow bridge that took him over the large indoor koi pond, he saw his friends waiting.

“Hey, guys,” Adam said as he strolled into the bar. “The gang’s all here.”

“Adam!” Hayden and Benji called out at the same time.

Both guys took their turns giving him a big hug before introducing the other guests. Hayden was there with some chick—though chick might’ve been a misnomer. She looked almost old enough to be his mom. And Benji had brought his new neighbor—Mac.

Mac gave him a firm handshake before Adam turned to the group.

“We eating or what? I’m famished.”

Jesse got an odd look on his face before taking a step back. “Grab a drink at the bar and I’ll go check the hostess and see about that table.”

As Jesse walked out of the bar area, someone else stepped in.

“I’m here, as promis—”

Clay stopped midsentence as his stare fell on Adam.

Anger glittered in Clay’s stare.

“I thought he wasn’t going to be here?” Clay spat to Jesse.

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