Page 62 of Bend Him, Break Him
“I actually have a small list of reasons why you’d be our ideal bachelor.” Carlos cleared his throat and went to the next slide, presenting a headshot of Colton with about a dozen different bullet points about why he should consider it.
Isaac scowled. Talk about manipulating the situation. Instead of asking Colton privately, Carlos decided to rely on the pleading expressions of the entire GSA to encourage Colton.
He grimaced, likely unsure of what to say. And how would he? Because of Isaac, he was locked in a silent arrangement that trapped him somewhere between feeling and fucking, refusing to budge and make a real move.
“I don’t know,” Colton paused. “This is for bachelors, right?”
“It is.” Carlos nodded. “Singles of all kinds. You’re single, correct?”
Colton bit his lip, then forced an awkward smile. “I mean, define single.”
“Oh?” Mina perked up in her seat.
“Clearly, I am,” Colton corrected himself, which made Isaac’s insides knot nervously. Was he anxious because Colton almost slipped or because he caught himself from slipping? “But I don’t wanna be some cocky bachelor showing up demanding a date for lots of money. That seems um, what’s the word?”
“Helpful?” Carlos said, flicking through his slides to show the list of LGBTQ+ programs the GSA was raising funds for.
Dammit. Next, Carlos would cue some sad song while posting pictures of starving puppies. Okay, an exaggeration, but not by much.
“I guess I can’t really argue with—”
“He’s not single,” Isaac snapped, stunned by his own loud announcement. A wave of trepidation washed over him, making his skin buzz and his heart race.
Colton stared, his uncomfortable expression falling away, replaced by a look of perplexed curiosity. That simple smile made Isaac blossom with joy.
Isaac swallowed his doubt, buried his reservations, and finally spoke up honestly about how he felt.
“Colton can’t take part because he’s not eligible.” Isaac fixed his attention on Colton’s soft green eyes, knowing he was the only person who could keep him steady here and now. “He’s taken. Off the market. He’s mine.”
Mina stared slack-jawed. “Oh. My. Fucking. God.”
“Eeeeeeeee.” Jazz nearly fluttered in the air with excitement, having spent the entirety of her friendship with Isaac trying to set him up with someone who would soften the grouch she claimed would be happier if he let someone in.
Isaac didn’t feel very happy. Mostly annoyed. Slightly frustrated. And growing more and more queasy as shocked eyes locked onto him from GSA members. He couldn’t fathom how he blurted this information, made a public declaration. He scanned the spinning room, looking at Colton and hoping he hadn’t made the wrong decision, that he hoped he hadn’t overstepped.
The beaming smile on Colton’s face suggested he was quite pleased with the gesture.
Carlos tsked. “I knew it.”
“How?” Mina asked.
“Haven’t seen Isaac trolling the hookup wasteland app since…” Carlos pondered for a moment. “Since Colton became a regular fixture at the GSA meetings.”
“Wow, you’re like a detective,” Colton said with way too much admiration in his expression.
Isaac rolled his eyes at Colton’s sincerity and Carlos’ bravado.
“Technically speaking, Colton could still participate in the auction.” Carlos rocked his head from side to side. “It is for a good cause, after all. Maybe—”
Isaac’s immediate barred teeth and slammed fist silenced Carlos, along with anyone else who wanted to comment. It was rare to see Isaac express anything other than indifference, so when he displayed his affection for Colton, everyone eyed him with questioning faces. He almost regretted the outburst, the reveal of his emotional state, but Colton’s happy eyes soothed the doubts threatening to bubble inside Isaac.
Despite his immediate show of ferocity, the joyfully overwhelmed expression on Colton’s face cooled Isaac’s temper.
“Come over here,” Mina slapped Carlos’ empty chair, demanding Colton relocate. “I can’t believe y’all have been playing the cold shoulder while on the DL. Boys are the worst, I swear.”
Colton remained where he was until the awkward silence and strong stares of encouragement finally roused him from his seat.
“Sit down,” Isaac said. “We’re not putting on a show for anyone.”
