Page 4 of Finally
“We were meeting here for dinner, Jack. I’m not an idiot. Why would I try to get with somebody else knowing you’d catch me?”
That could be true or it could be a lie. It didn’t matter either way, because Jack wasn’t interested in being with a man who wanted to sleep or flirt with other men while he was with him. He wanted someone who would treat him and their relationship like something valuable, and it was clear that Devon wasn’t that person.
“Okay, fine, maybe I was flirting with him a little bit.”
On Jack’s gauge, it was more than a little, but again, he didn’t say anything because it no longer mattered. This was the last time he would see Devon.
“But we’ve never talked about being exclusive and you haven’t been taking us seriously.” He waved his hand back and forth between them.
“I guess that makes two of us.”
“I’ve been trying, Jack! You’re never available, you’re cold, and you refused to spend any time with me last weekend.”
“I work a lot and I had plans last weekend.” When he wasn’t working or with Gray, he had been at a New Year’s Eve party with his friends. He could have brought Devon to the party, but he hadn’t wanted to spend that much time with him. Or really any time. Maybe he had a point about Jack being cold, though he thought a better description of himself was broken.
“That’s why I had to flirt with that guy. I was doing it for you.”
That was surprising enough to get Jack’s attention. He furrowed his brow.
“You know the old trick. Make a guy jealous, show him you have other options, and then he’ll realize he can lose you.”
Was the next part of that trick watching the guy go home alone, change into his sweatpants, and curl up in bed with a book and a bag of potato chips? Because that was exactly what Jack planned to do. His friend Gray had brought him a bag of Lay’s Lime chips a few days earlier and Jack planned to dip them in crushed avocado. Needing to expedite that inevitability, he said, “Devon, this isn’t going to work out.”
“Are you kidding me?” The yelling had now transitioned to screeching with an added bonus of finger pointing. “Seriously, how are you this cold?”
“Settle down,” a familiar gravelly voice said from behind him. “I’ve only known you for one conversation, but I’m already exhausted by you.”
“Hi, Gray.” Jack rubbed his palms over his eyes. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough.” Big hands curled over his shoulders and rubbed his tense muscles.
“Anyone else with you?” Jack quietly asked, too worried about that possibility to turn around and check for himself. Gray witnessing this humiliating scene was fine, but he didn’t wantanyone else to see the level of pathetic that was his attempt at dating.
“No. Kev, Eric, and Thom are at a table.” Gray’s body skated across Jack’s back as he leaned forward. “Or were at a table. Looks like it’s being bussed now.”
“Okay.” Jack relaxed and reclined against Gray’s firm chest. “Thanks.”
“Who are you?” Devon demanded.
“I’m Jack’s,” Gray said.
“Jack’s what?”
“Have you eaten?” Gray whispered into his ear.
“No.” Jack shook his head and then tilted it back and met Gray’s green-eyed gaze.
“I haven’t either.” Gray slid his hands to Jack’s upper arms and gave him a squeeze. “Let’s get a table.”
“Excuse me,” Devon said, both hands in the air. “We are on a date.”
“Date’s over.” Gray curled one arm around Jack’s waist and helped him off the stool.
“Are you sure it's not too late to get a table?” He reached for Gray’s wrist and turned it so he could see his watch. “Huh. It’s only nine fifteen. Feels like I’ve been here for hours.”
Gray flicked his gaze to Devon and then back to Jack. “That makes sense.”
Holding back his laughter, he asked, “Is this a new old watch?” Gray was the only person he knew who wore wrist watches and he had a fondness for vintage ones.
