Page 19 of Past Lovers

Jesse reached into the pile of fortune cookies and tossed one to each person at the table. “Let’s see what our future holds.”

“You know the rule about fortune cookies, right?” Hayden’s date said, a smug smile on her face as she opened one. “You have to addin bedto the end of your fortune.” She turned to wink at Hayden before cracking open her cookie.

Adam took his and cracked it open.Sometimes we create our own heartbreak through expectation.

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

Adam lifted his stare to Clay, who still sat reading over his.

Hayden’s date’s comment came to mind.In bed. Had he created his own heartbreak from that one night—and the expectation of what might come after?

Expectation? He hadn’t expected anything.

Still didn’t.

Did he?

“So what’s it say?” Hayden asked Jesse, his voice low.

Adam turned his attention to his friends. Jesse’s face grew dark red—and there was a definite vibe between the two. Something he hadn’t noticed before.

“Nothing,” Jesse answered before shoving the paper into his pocket. “What about yours?”

“Nah,” Hayden said, tucking his into his pocket. “You won’t tell me yours, you don’t get to he—”

“MinesaysLove will lead the way—in bed,” Hayden’s date said loudly, interrupting Hayden’s answer. She grabbed the back of Hayden’s head and planted a kiss on his lips.

Jesse jumped to his feet. “So are we going?”

“I think I’m bailing,” Clay murmured.

“Me, too,” Adam said, tossing his napkin to the table and rising.

“No!” Jesse said. “You two are the reason why we’re here tonight.”

Clay frowned at him. Adam frowned right back.

“Why’s that?” Adam asked.

“We all know something is up with you two. Whatever fight you had… you need to face each other and get over it,” Jesse said.

“What Jesse said,” Benji added. “We’ve all been friends for too long for the two of you to stay pissed at one another.”

Clay shook his head. “We can’t make the world right on cue just because it makes your life easier, Jesse.” He rose and eyed Adam. “Life happens. People grow up. They move on. It’s just the way of things.”

Move on? Adam felt as if he couldn’t breathe.

Clay turned and headed for the door.

Jesse followed him. “Moving on? Seriously?”

Clay paused and turned to look at Jesse. “I love you guys. I do. But don’t pull this shit again. Adam and I… we just need space. Don’t force us to end up saying things we don’t mean to say.”

Adam wanted to run after him… to beg him for forgiveness. To beg him for…

Another night.

In that moment, surrounded by his friends, he felt emptier and lonelier than he ever had in his life.

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