Page 2 of Absent Without Leave
Jake Hardison is fucking gay.
Or at least not entirely straight, considering all the girls he may or may not have screwed in high school. A charge crackles between them. Is Jake intimating what Aiden thinks he is? Aiden’s stomach loops as if he were riding the swinging ship ride at Six Flags Over Texas that he hates so much.
Jake’s gaze remains focused, steady, expectant.
Heat prickles along Aiden’s collarbones. He glances at Devon Cavanaugh who sits at the end of the bar, head resting on his arms. He’s been still for a good twenty minutes.
“Ah, well, we don’t really serve that here, but...” Does he dare? “I don’t know if you remember me, we—”
“Aiden O’Leary,” Jake says, eyebrow rising as he takes another taste of his brew. “Salutatorian of the class ahead of mine in high school; member of the band, saxophone, if I remember correctly; and XO of our JROTC battalion.
“Your brother Sean and I played baseball together. Yeah, I remember you just fine. You’ve changed a bit though.”
He doesn’t say “for the better,” which Aiden hears anyway. He isn’t offended, though; he knows what he was in high school. “Which definitely begs the question of why you even noticed me back then.”
Jake’s Adam’s apple bobs with the long swig of beer. “Believe it or not, there is more to people than just their looks. Even in high school. Even to smart ass jocks.”
“All right, well.” The heat creeps from Aiden’s collarbones to his neck. What the fuck is he supposed to say to that? “I live above the bar at the moment, and I have an extra bedroom. It’s yours if you’re interested.”
“Yeah?” Silver gray darkens to battleship gray, and Jake’s voice comes out gruffer than it’d been a moment ago.
Heat curls low in Aiden’s abdomen and he nods.
“Oh, I’m interested. Thanks.”
Jake’s eyes never leave Aiden’s face, and the intensity of Jake’s gaze makes his dick sit up and take notice.
Finding his voice, Aiden says, “The bar closes at one and I’m stuck here till then, maybe a quarter after. You’re more than welcome to head on up whenever.”
“I’m good here.”
Aiden nods and rinses and wrings out his bar cloth.
Kent Shaffer, Tim McAllister, Scott Hudson, and Ben Thompson push through the double doors talking over each other and laughing and claim Aiden’s attention. Thank goodness. If he spends too much time thinking about Jake Hardison spending the night, he might spontaneously combust.
“Hey, guys,” he says, following the foursome to their usual spot in the corner.
Scott and Ben sit close and tangle their ankles together under the table. A tendril of wistfulness curls around Aiden’s heart. He misses that kind of closeness.
“Aiden, my man, what’s up?” asks Kent, extending his hand.
Aiden slides his hand into Kent’s and shakes his head. He resists looking in Jake’s direction. “Not much.” Just the most exciting thing to happen to him since Coldplay came to North Texas.
Kent raises a brow as if sensing Aiden’s evasion. They’ve been friends a long time, but now’s not the time or place forthatconversation.
“We missed you at the high school, although we did kick Dooley’s ass,” says Tim, grinning from ear to ear. “That’s why we’re here. For a celebratory drink. The usual?”
Aiden nods. “Sorry I missed the epic takedown. Johanna’s daughter had a recital, so we traded shifts.” Although what with taking Jake home tonight, he can’t be entirely sorry he missed the weekly pick-up basketball game. He turns his attention to Ben. “How’re Misty and your parents?”
Ben pulls his gaze from Scott, and both of them look up at Aiden. Ben says, “Everyone’s good, thanks. Misty’s lamenting the end of the school year, but Ma is celebrating.”
Chuckles rumble around the table.
“Can’t say as I blame her,” Aiden says. “Teaching high schoolers isn’t for the faint of heart.”
“Middle schoolers are no picnic either,” says Tim. “A principal’s job is never done.”
“Let me get your drinks.”
