Page 5 of Finally
“Yes.” He rubbed his thumb up and down Jack’s waist. “You always notice the little things.”
“So this guy can have his hands literally all over you, but I can’t talk to someone without you freaking out?”
He answered Devon but didn’t look away from Gray. The evening’s drama had him feeling fragile and Gray was his safe space. “It’s not the same thing.”
“Why not?”
“Because Gray’s my friend.”
“Really? That’s not how I touch my friends.”
With Gray pressed to him from thigh to shoulder and Gray’s hand on his nape, Jack could see Devon’s point, but he didn’t need to waste energy explaining his friendship to someone he wouldn’t go out with again anyway. For months, Gray had come to his house in the middle of the night and wiped his tears and his nose while he held him. He had cooked for him and made him eat when he couldn’t be bothered. He had driven him to his therapy appointments, sat in the waiting room while Jack slayed himself open, and then taken him home and curled up on the sofa with him and watched movies late into the night. Gray had taken every call, whether it was at three in the morning and he was asleep or at three in the afternoon and he was in a meeting. He had reminded Jack about his desirable qualities when Jack had stopped believing they existed. Other than his ex, Gray was his oldest friend, and Jack hadn’t exactly been able to count on Jaime to help him heal from the trauma of their relationship.
“Take care, Devon.” He and Gray started walking away from the bar in concert.
“Unbelievable,” Devon shouted.
Gray stopped and turned around. “Devon, is it?” he asked. “Here’s a free piece of advice from my grandmother.If you don't remember your manners, everybody else will.You’re in public. Keep your voice down.” He took a step toward Devon. “And here’s another freebie, this one from me, stay away from Jack.”
Jaw dropping, Devon stared at Gray silently. After a few quiet seconds ticked by, Gray returned to Jack and put his hand on his lower back.
“You okay?” Gray asked.
“Yes. Thanks for your help. Sorry you had to see that.”
“Sorry you had to experience it.”
“It’s a good reminder of why I shouldn’t bother trying to meet someone. It’s easier being alone.”
“I hear you.” Gray smoothed his palm up and down Jack’s lower back, soothing him. “It’s rough out there. But don’t tap out just yet. Your man’s here.”
“Do you really think there’s someone out there for me?” Jack turned his head and looked into Gray’s sparkling green eyes, hoping he really believed what he was saying. The years of therapy had helped, and Jack no longer considered himself worthless. He was satisfied with his life and he was fine alone. But he still desperately longed to find his person in the world. Someone who wanted to hear about his day and kiss him goodbye. Someone who would light up when he walked into the room. Someone who wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off him.
A soft smile on his caring face, Gray leaned forward and kissed Jack’s forehead. “I know there is.”
Chapter 2
When Gray returned to the table after taking a quick break to use the bathroom, Jack looked up from his phone and said, “I ordered you the cod with a side of broccoli. If you want something else, it’s not too late to catch the server and change it.”
“The cod’s perfect.” After sharing countless meals over the years, Jack knew his food preferences as well as he knew his own. Tipping his chin toward Jack’s phone, Gray asked, “Kevin bugging you about the date?”
“I’m sure he will, but I was responding to a work email.” He set the phone down. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be.” Gray shook the napkin onto his lap. “You have a demanding career. I get it.” Owning and running a successful video game production and distribution company wasn’t a nine-to-five job. He reached across the table and nudged the phone toward Jack. “Go ahead.”
“I’m done.” Jack smiled at him. Gray adored that smile. It was soft and gentle, like the rest of Jack.
When slender, timid Jack Storm had walked into his office all those years earlier wanting help securing trademarks for his fledgling company, Gray had worried about someone that unassuming succeeding in a cutthroat industry. But there was something special about Jack. He was brilliant, sure. But that alone wouldn’t have been enough to rise to his level of success. Jack was also thoughtful, well-spoken, intensely hardworking, and a skilled problem solver.
“Have I told you how impressed I am with what you’ve done with Snow Storm? I read an article about you onTechCrunchthe other day and they were gushing.”
“Thanks. They interviewed Jaime and he’s amazing at PR.”
Jaime Snow. Jack’s ex-boyfriend and business partner who Gray hated to admit was almost as responsible for Snow Storm’s success as Jack. Gray’s feelings about Jaime were complicated. The man was charming as hell, gorgeous, smart, and generous. From what Gray knew, he hadn’t done anything intentionally cruel to Jack and to hear their friends tell it, he had sacrificed his own personal life in order to support Jack after their breakup.
Despite all of that, Gray didn’t like him. It wasn’t jealousy, although he had spent nearly ten years being envious that Jaime had and didn’t appreciate someone Gray adored beyond measure. The reason Gray couldn’t stand Jaime Snow was because whether it was intentional or negligent, he had wounded Jack so deeply that it had taken a decade for the scars to scab over.
“It’s easy to promote such a well-run company,” Gray pointed out. Jack was responsible for all the internal operations at Snow Storm.
