Page 35 of The Long Game

Fuck.

Rubbing his hands over his face, he stood and stretched and actually took care of business now that his dick was cooperating. He could worry about the new boundaries—or lack thereof—in his friendship with Jack later. This morning, he needed to focus on Colton Michael and what the fuck he was going to do about his sixteen-year-old cousin living in the local homeless shelter.

Jack was sitting on the edge of the bed, already dressed, when Grady opened the door. His smile made Grady’s heart stutter and he longed to climb back into bed, pull Jack back into his arms, and spend the rest of the day there.

“Coffee?” Grady asked instead because he was a sensible person. Or maybe a coward.

Jack agreed enthusiastically.

Standing alone in line at the Dipsy Doodle Dangle Café a half hour later, Grady kept an eye out for Jack, who’d gone home to shower and change. He couldn’t stop picturing Jack’s sleep-tousled hair and how the sunlight had made Jack’s cobalt eyes glow.

God, he was so screwed. Jack didn’tdorelationships. Hell, Grady didn’t either. It wasn’t something he’d wanted until Jack. And now he needed to move on, let it go.

It all sounded so reasonable in his head, but he didn’t have a single doubt he’d say yes if Jack asked him to sleep with him again that night. And the following night, too. Hell, every night until his balls were as blue as Jack’s eyes and he was forced to buy stock in his favorite lube company.

But he’d do it, because even if it hurt, it was also the first time in longer than he cared to admit that he didn’t feel solonely.

Grady shook his head at himself and placed his order. As he shuffled down the line, Jack stepped through the door and up to the counter, his habitual friendly, almost-flirtatious smile in place. He wore a dark purple t-shirt and an old pair of jeans. On almost anyone else, it would be unremarkable, but the shirt’scolor was a lovely contrast to the smooth, pale column of Jack’s neck and made those blue eyes stand out even more. The jeans, meanwhile…well, the less said about those, the better. Jack had been on the ice more often recently, and skater butt was real.

The barista took Jack’s order without actually taking his eyes off Jack’s face, so god knew what would end up in the coffee. The poor kid looked like his brain had switched to static.

Jack, as ever, didn’t seem to notice. Just as he hadn’t reacted to all the heads that turned when he’d stepped inside, or the truck that slowed down to get a better look while he’d crossed the street.

Jack’s smile widened as he came to stand beside Grady, bumping their shoulders together. Grady smirked, long used to having all eyes turn their way in these situations and fully aware he was invisible to everyone but the few who sent him dirty looks. As an inveterate people watcher, Grady relished these opportunities to witness so much amazing and stupid behavior, thanks to Jack.

They collected their coffees and climbed into Jack’s truck, leaving Grady’s a few spots down.

“So what’s your plan?” Jack asked.

“I don’t know,” Grady admitted. “I want to help Colton Michael, but I have no idea if he wants anything from me. Hell, he may refuse to see me.”

Jack hesitated. “Can I make a suggestion?”

“Sure.”

“Maybe stop calling him Colton Michael. I mean, what would you think if I started calling you Grady Samuel?”

Grady shuddered. “I’d think it was creepy.”

“Right, because that’s not who you are anymore. Christian called him Colton or Colt, so, at the very least, I’d start with that or ask him what he wants to be called.”

Grady nodded. “That’s good advice. Thank you.”

“I’m surprised he uses his real name,” Jack added. “Colton is pretty rare and might make him easier to find.”

Grady felt ill and, shamefully, it wasn’t just because he was worried for Colton. The idea of a member of his family—anothermember of his family—turning up in Moncton made his stomach churn.

He put his coffee in the cup holder and took a deep breath. “I don’t feel prepared for this,” he announced, dismayed by his own confession.

“Who would?” Jack wondered.

Grady looked at Jack. “What?”

“You just said you’re not prepared for this, like it’s a failing or something. Literally,no oneis ever prepared to find their long-lost teenage cousin in a homeless shelter, okay? This is not covered in school. The Mounties don’t have a course that would help. This is some serious curveball shit.”

Grady chuckled, the knot of tension in his chest easing a little. “Okay, that’s a good point.”

Jack shrugged like it was no big deal he was keeping Grady from losing his shit.

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