Page 18 of Worlds Collide

“Whatever,” CJ mumbles and keeps going. “They’re helping me place everything while all the houses sell.”

Adam spits the sip of beer he just took on the center of the circle. “You’re selling the houses?” he demands, eyes wide open.

“Yes, most of them, not all. There are a few I love,” CJ says like he’s totally unbothered by having to explain himself. I’d have run out of here after the second question and I can’t help but admire the way he stands in front of all of us and takes the proverbial firing squad like a pro. “Like the brownstone here, since it’s so close to where you want your new place to be.” He wags a finger between Sebas and Adam. “And to Mike’s. I’m gonna keep that one and maybe a couple more.”

“Fuck,” Adam shouts and rubs his head with his free hand.

“What?” Sebas asks him.

“What do you mean, what? He’s selling like twenty houses!” he shouts while pointing up at CJ but looking at Sebas with his eyes still wide open.

“What else are you doing?” Josie asks. Clearly beyond interested now, she leans forward in her chair.

“You’ll find out soon,” CJ tells her, clearly trying to dismiss the question. He looks at her with a desperation that makes him miss that mark. “I just wanted to tell you guys I’m officially CJ and...” He trails off and swallows hard. Clearly there’s something else he wants to say, but I can see the second he decides against it. His eyesshift to Adam but he quickly looks away and down at his feet. Is he ashamed? What is the other thing he wants to say? He downs the full glass of whatever it is he’s drinking and shakes his head. “And celebrate my freedom with all of you.” He cheers a little after the last word and everyone joins him by raising their glasses.

Clearly they all bought it.

I didn’t.

But am I going to do anything about it?

Everyone goes back to their conversations or starts new ones, but I stay quiet and keep looking at CJ as if I can figure out what he was going to say by somehow learning to read minds in the next five seconds.

Clearly there’s more to whatever it is he’s been doing the past month besides selling houses and changing his name.

Carter gets in my line of vision when he goes in for an enthusiastic and sloppy hug from CJ, and then he’s once more beside me and again bumping his arm against mine. After tipping the bottle back to finish all its contents, he proceeds to pass the fuck out right then and there.

I let out a long breath while I stare at his perfectly carved jaw hanging open.

I guess that’s my cue to face the music. It’s not like I’m dying to stay out here any longer, so I stand and nudge his foot with mine to try and get him to wake up.

“Come on, man. Time to get you to bed,” I try to coax him.

“Oy!” he shouts when he opens his eyes. “You trying to get into my pants? It might work,” he says and snickers.

I feel my upper lip curl in disgust.

Not that the Brit isn’t... handsome. He clearly is and knows it. With his pointed cheekbones and sharp eyebrows... He has pretty brown eyes too. At least when they’re fully open.

But I’m not into somnophilia and also, I just?—

Fuck.

I don’t want him.

And it’s got nothing to do with wanting one of his best friends. His only straight friend at that...

Suddenly he’s there, right next to me, looking down at Carter with a fond smile gracing his lips.

Jesus, what is this, fucking Shakespeare?

Get a grip, Wolf.

“I’ll help you walk him over,” he tells me quietly without looking at me.

Again, I only grunt in answer, and then we spend the next thirty minutes walking less than two-hundred feet to the house we’re all staying at. We drag him up the stairs and to the bedroom I’ll have the pleasure of sharing with Mr. Drunk-off-his-ass.

Yay.

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