Page 9 of Perfect Storm
“Come on, let’s go to bed,” Aidan said, hefting himself out of his chair. He paused. “Nottogether.”
Levi laughed. “Don’t sound so relieved, bro.”
Chapter 2
Aidanwokewithapounding head and a nauseating combination of panic and relief swirling through his stomach. He’d told someone. And not even a Riley- or Landry-shaped someone.
Levi had been—Aidan rolled over, putting that thought on hold and gulped Gatorade from the bottle next to the bed, praying that hydration might save his life—well, Levi had been pretty cool about it. Chill, even.
And that was when Aidan remembered what else he’d promised last night. He’d promised to have sex with Levi.Levi Banks.
God, he’d even been a few inches away from literally groping Levi’s dick in those ridiculous neon yellow shorts.
The Gatorade he’d just drunk lurched unpleasantly in his stomach.
He flopped onto his back. Willed his organs to cooperate. When he was at least seventy-five percent sure they would, Aidan considered his options.
Riley hadn’t told him how long the trio of them would be staying in Michigan but there was no way they’d leave this soon. They were around for at least the next few days. Could he hang out with Levi and act like it was all cool between them?
There was the boat and the lake. And Landry had been making noises about going on a long hike one day. Surely there was enough to do around here between goofing around on the water and workouts and meals to distract him from the fact he’d told Levi and Levi’s suggestion that they have sex about it. And not evennow, but in ayear.
And you, you stupidly agreed, his conscience told him.Who does that when they’re in love with someone else?
Conclusion: he’d been drunk and stupid and desperate.
Positively, he was at least notoneof those things this morning, and maybe he could pull Levi aside and acknowledge the other two. Say,thanks but no thanks.
That very logical thought got him through getting out of bed and hauling his hungover ass into the shower. By the time he made it downstairs, his stomach had mostly calmed and he felt way less like death. If he never drank that much whiskey again, it would be too soon.
“Hey, it’s alive,” Riley teased as he walked into the kitchen. He was sitting on the counter, legs dangling off the edge, coffee cradled in one of his hands.
Landry turned from where he was at the stove, flipping pancakes.
There was no Levi in the kitchen yet.
Aidan let out the breath he’d been holding.
“How you feelin’ this morning, buddy?” Landry asked, grinning.
“Fine.” Aidan did not feel fine, but he was not going to give anyone the chance to give him shit about it.
“Coffee’s in the pot.” Riley shot him a knowing look. “Bet you need the whole carafe.”
It was difficult to pretend around these two who knew him so well. Of course, if that was really true, then why had Levi been the one demanding to know what was wrong with him?
Aidan steadfastly refused to sulk about it, though. He’d done enough of that yesterday. Instead, he moved over to the coffeepot and poured himself a big cup. It was strong and hot and his stomach settled a little more as he sipped it, watching as Landry filled a big platter with more pancakes.
“We were thinking of taking the boat out today,” Riley said.
Aidan glanced over at the big picture window. It was sunny and bright, not a cloud in the sky. “Sounds good,” he said.One day down, way too many to go.
“Levi’s in the shower.” Riley gestured to the spare cup in front of one of the empty barstools. Aidan hadn’t noticed it before. But of course, he was the last one down this morning. “Landry told him to hurry up, ’cause breakfast is almost ready.”
“Yeah, he said he was going to drag you out of bed if you weren’t out of it already,” Landry said. It was clear from his completely normal tone of voice that he hadn’t meant itlike that, but then why would he? As far as Landry knew, Aidan was straight, and there’d be no funny business at all about Levi pulling him out of bed.
“Good thing I made it out first, then,” Aidan muttered weakly.
“Yeah, he’s not real nice first thing in the morning,” Landry said, laughing.
