Page 22 of Mutual Desire

Nick smiled, leaning a little closer. “No, seriously. If you ever need anything, I’m here for you, D. Always.”

That was Nick—flawed, chaotic, occasionally exasperating—but when it came down to it, he was a loyal friend. Damien’s thoughts briefly turned to the only time they’d truly fallen out in sixteen years, but he pushed the memory away. Now wasn’t the time for old wounds. They were here to celebrate, not dig up the past. Damien smiled, grateful for his friend despite the whirlwind of emotions still churning inside him.

“Alright, start by cutting me in on half the profits from Anto-X,” Damien joked, grinning.

“I can only offer you a free month trial,” Nick quipped back, and they both burst into laughter, taking another shot each.

Nick leaned back, stretching. “Man, I really need to fuck someone tonight,” he announced, as casually as if discussing the weather.

Damien raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were back with Amanda?”

Nick shrugged. “We’re still figuring it out. We’re not ready to fully commit yet.”

“So... still open?” Damien asked, his irritation creeping into his tone. Nick nodded, taking another shot.

“Don’t you think it’s time to settle down with her?” Damien pressed. Amanda was stable, grounded—everything Nick seemed to need but didn’t fully appreciate.

Nick sighed, clearly not in the mood for a lecture. “I don’t think you should be the one talking,” he muttered, his eyes flicking to his empty glass.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Damien retorted, arching a brow. “I’ve been in a relationship for three years.”

Nick’s gaze met his, the brief silence heavy with unspoken judgment. “Yeah... three years, and you still haven’t moved in together.”

Damien blinked, taken aback. He didn’t expect the conversation to turn this way. Nick rarely ventured into his private life with Craig. The awkward silence stretched as they locked eyes.“It’s not a priority right now,” Damien replied, his voice soft but steady.

Nick nodded, but his sigh spoke volumes. “Alright, if you say so…”

Damien exhaled. He hated talking about this. Even more, he hated that Nick—of all people—was bringing it up. But he couldn’t be mad at his best friend for being honest. That’s what they were supposed to be for each other, after all.

“Look,” Damien said, his voice quieter now, “I get it. But I don’t think your opinion’s exactly objective since you don’t like Craig.”

Nick smirked, the tension breaking slightly. “Correction—hedoesn’t like me because my sexy ass it too much for him to handle.”

Damien couldn’t help but smile at Nick’s ridiculousness. The atmosphere eased.

“Anyway,” Damien said, deciding to drop the subject, “I’m not sticking around long. Just needed these shots, but I really need to see Craig.”

Nick looked surprised. “Oh, damn. You should’ve told me, man! I wouldn’t have dragged you out here.”

“No, I needed this. Plus, that redhead’s been eyeing the moment we got here. I think my presence is cockblocking her.”

Nick turned abruptly, making Damien laugh at his lack of subtlety. He spotted the redhead, and his eyes lit up with mock seriousness. “Get out of here, now!”

Damien chuckled, grabbing his bag. As he headed for the door, he waved goodbye, leaving Nick to his one-night stand.

Later, Damien pulled up outside Craig’s apartment complex—a sleek, upscale building nestled in a quiet, well-manicured neighborhood. The kind of place that screamed ‘successful professional,’ complete with a pristine lobby and overpriced rent. He wasabout to head up when his phone buzzed.

Red hair was too tight had to take her number.

Rolling his eyes, Damien smiled to himself. Despite Nick’s wild antics, he couldn’t help but wish his friend would find someone who made him as happy as Craig did—whatever that happiness really meant.

Go to bed man.

Craig hadn’t responded to Damien’s messages about coming over, which didn’t come as a surprise.Their recent argument, and Craig’s insistence on taking time apart, lingered between them like a wall. But Damien wasn’t one to let something so small escalate into something bigger. Armed with a spare key, he entered Craig’s apartment uninvited, determined to fix things.

The place was quiet, dimly lit by a small light in the kitchen. Damien walked over and found Craig standing next to the fridge, yogurt in hand. Craig’s gaze locked onto his, his expression hardening.

“Hey,” Damien spoke softly, dropping his bag as he stepped closer.

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