Page 141 of Charming Like Us
Water laps over his bare feet, and I come up next to him, angled so I have a good view of Charlie too.
Jack is quiet.
“I’m sorry this is happening,” I say, voice husky and riddled with his pain that I feel.
“It’s not your fault—”
“Ah, no. This isn’t Jack Highland Makes Me Feel Better hour. I’m here foryou, bro.”
His eyes well up as our gazes embrace in ways that our bodies can’t right now. “I’ve never been knocked back before. Not this hard. I’ve believed that I’m capable of anything, so I could power through to the top, and now it feels likeeverythingI’ve ever strived for in my career is about to be ripped away.”
“It’s not,” I say strongly. “If you can believe you’re capable of anything, thenbelieveI won’t let everything fall apart right now. You chose me, didn’t you, Long Beach? You risked it all for a guy who’s gonna be the glue keeping the pieces together.”
He inhales a bigger breath, then nods. His smile tries to fight through. “You give good pep talks.”
I’m about to reply when Gabe jogs over, a trickle of sweat running down his temple. “I, uh…just had a thought, Oscar.”
Imagine that.“Yeah?”
Jack zooms the camera on his little brother paddling out in the ocean.
“I thought maybe you could convince Akara to let me join the 24/7 roster.” That’d officially make Gabe an Omega bodyguard and no longer a temp. He adds fast, “I already talked to him. He said I can’t go onto the roster now because they don’t have the budget for it. Then…you know, I asked why I’m working all these long hours compared to other temps. He said that I am being paid more, but by you, so I thought maybe you could convince him to just let me join the main roster, you know.”
Jack spins on me, his camera instantly hanging at his side. “Wait a sec, you’repayingfor Gabe?”
“You needed the security.”
“I thought the firm would cover the cost because it’s related to Charlie…” He lets out a hurt noise. “I’m a fucking idiot—”
“Hey—”
“I should’ve known they don’t have the money forperipherysecurity. Akara is squeezed tight as it is.” He rubs a hand down his face. “How much are you paying?”
Half my paycheck. Probably the first grossly large expense I’ve made at a time when I should be saving more. What I would’ve called a bad financial decision in the past, but damn is it worth every penny.
“I have you covered,” I tell him.
“Oscar.”
“I have you covered,” I emphasize.
“I have the money,” he says under his breath. “Just let me pay—”
“No—”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re myboyfriend,” I say with utter fucking conviction. “You’re my boyfriend, Jack, and if I can’t physically be there for you, then I’m going to hire someone who can be.” I pause. “Which I did.” I jab a thumb towards Gabe, who stands an awkward distance from our argument.
Our first fight, I realize.
It’s small.
And it simmers down almost immediately. A surprised breath leaves him, his lips ascending. Until he’s smiling more heartwarmingly. “So what, we’re mag jowa now?” His eyes fall down my build.
I begin to grin, just seeing his playful happiness make a powerful return. No clue what he said in Tagalog. So I ask, “Mag jowa?”
“Boyfriends,” Jack translates.
