Page 62 of The Official Problem
Like absolution.
They collapsed into the tangled sheets, Kieran still folded over him, breathing hard. Their sweat-slicked skin pressed together, hot and sticky. For a long moment, neither of themmoved. The only sound was the steady, slowing cadence of their breaths syncing. Then Matthieu cradled the back of Kieran’s head, gently pressing him into the curve of his neck.
“I love you too,” Matthieu finally said.
Kieran didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. He just held on tighter and let himself drift to sleep.
TWENTY-THREE
MATTHIEU
Asmug Russian was at the end of Matthieu’s bed when he woke. Alexei stood with his arms crossed, a knowing smirk turning up the corners of his mouth, his eyes locked on the Kieran-shaped lump curled up against Matthieu’s side. Matthieu blinked again. Maybe if he lay still enough, Alexei would vanish like an annoying dream.
He tested the theory several more times—no such luck.
Finally, he sighed and lifted a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug, shooting Alexei an indifferent look. If he slipped out quietly enough, perhaps Alexei would leave without launching into a full interrogation. With Kieran’s face smooshed into the pillow, there was a good chance Alexei hadn’t recognized him. It wasn’t Alexei’s business who Matthieu shared his nights with, after all. They’d never talked about this kind of thing before.
Alexei chuckled, clearly amused by whatever lay on the floor at his feet. He bent down and scooped it up, collecting the evidence in his arms. That damn Seattle hoodie.
Yesterday, it had been a comfort, soft against Matthieu’s skin, clinging like a memory he wasn’t ready to let go of. Wearing it had felt like belonging to Kieran for a few stolen hours, even ifonly in secret. Now it was a careless thing on the floor, a silent confession.
Alexei tossed it onto Kieran’s stirring back. “Out, hockey player.”
Kieran bolted upright, spinning to take in the unexpected guest.
“I need to talk to my friend.”
“Shit,” Kieran groaned. He scrubbed a hand over his face, apparently attempting the same tactic Matthieu had tried, willing Alexei to disappear behind his palms.
“He won’t say anything,” Matthieu muttered, though Alexei’s raised eyebrows weren’t exactly reassuring.
“I’m not a gossip,” Alexei finally confirmed. “Now up. Matthieu has a game in the city, and…” He glanced at a watch he wasn’t wearing. “I think you’re late for practice.”
“Fuck.”
Kieran sprang from the bed, unbothered by his nakedness as he scrambled to get dressed. Alexei made no effort to avert his eyes. Quite the opposite. He watched Kieran’s ass as he tugged on his gym shorts, his curiosity piqued. Matthieu fought to hold back a snarl.
“Erm…” Kieran hovered, now dressed. “Can I see you later?” His eyes flicked between Matthieu and Alexei, unsure who he needed permission from.
“Yeah,” Matthieu said softly. “I’ll call you after I see my mom.”
“Want me to drive you again?”
“No need, hockey player,” Alexei cut in. “I’ll take him.”
Matthieu fought the urge to roll his eyes. Alexei wasn’t the possessive type; this was a game to him, a poke to see if Kieran would rise to the bait. Kieran just nodded and slipped out, the click of the front door loud in the silence that followed.
Alexei turned back to Matthieu, one brow raised.
“Don’t bother,” Matthieu said before Alexei could speak. “I know it’s a bad idea.”I’m just not sure I care anymore.
“That’s not what I was going to say.”
“Right.”
Alexei sat on the edge of the bed like he had any right to be there. “It’s not my business who makes you cum at night. I’m just surprised.” He fussed with the sheets, pulling them snug over the corner where they’d come loose. “He looked at you like this wasn’t the first time.”
Matthieu was absolutely not doing this with Alexei right now. “What are you doing in my apartment, Alexei? How did you even get in?”
