Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Breck’s insides stirred. Sometimes it felt like that with Kai as well. The way their energy always did that subtle dance. All weaving around and intertwining. Stoking their minds. Fanning things hotter. Like breath to a flame.
He loved it, that feeling. It was addicting. Especially now that they’d moved beyond their grievances from clashes in the past. When their pride had had them butting heads. All of that changing when they started meeting privately. Their need to protect their precious egos somehow diffused. And it was great, not feeling so defensive. Their chemistry felt… well, it felt balanced.
But again, that was only in private.
He had no idea how either of them would react when back in public.
“So, no one bugs you guys? Besides those assholes? No real backlash in your day-to-day?”
Tad considered that, then shook his head. “Nope. Nothing major.” He grabbed his burger and took a bite. “But then again, I’m kind of a nobody, ya know? If I were you, for example, I’m sure it’d be different.” He smiled as he chewed, clearly meaning that as a compliment, his high-five acknowledgment of Breck’s VIP status.
But his words only made Breck frown. Just one more confirmation that, even if he wanted to, he could never go that route. That the luxury afforded to others like Tad just didn’t extend to him.
“Right,” he muttered, nodding. “Yeah, totally. Sports media and shit, the local news… They’d have a field day with me if I were gay. As would this whole fucking town. Everyone knows my face. I doubt I could step outside without getting harassed.”
Tad paused mid-chew and stared at him. Then swallowed his bite with a frown of his own. “It probably wouldn’t be that bad. I mean, in the beginning it might be rough. But once the networks have beaten it to death, and the town’s bored of talking about it, they’ll move on.”
Breck regarded him, suddenly uneasy. Tad didn’t sound like he was talking to him in hypotheticals anymore. Instead, he seemed as though he’d been attempting to reassure him.
Breck shifted in his seat. Took another swig of his Coke. He’d hoped it’d help settle his stomach. No such luck. Although, in fairness, his Coke had a lot to contend with. Especially if Tad was intuiting his situation. No soda could help his nausea if that were the case.
“Welp.” He forced a smile. “Good thing I’m not gay.”
Tad didn’t seem to receive that sentiment very well.
“You know, for my situation,” Breck quickly amended. “Your deal’s totally great. But imagine being me and shit, and wanting to date a guy.”
Again, Tad studied him. “Do you? Want to date a guy?”
Breck’s insides clenched. Jesus. Tad typically wasn’t so direct. “What?” he laughed tightly. “You’re kidding, right? Are you not aware of me and Ned’s year-long contest? Involving women?” Flustered, he drank down more of his soda.
Tad just looked at him and shrugged. “You could be bi.”
Breck choked on his drink. Started coughing. Tad was hitting way too close to the mark.
Forcing a laugh, he cleared his throat and glanced around. “Jesus, Mitchel. This stuff intrigues me, that’s all. Makes me think about reality. And how life could be without all the social conditioning.”
Fortunately, Tad seemed to vibe with that answer. He nodded and took another bite.
Not wanting to push his luck any further on that front, Breck shifted the conversation. “So, you’re moving in with Scott.”
Tad’s demeanor instantly lit like the sun. “Yeah. Can’t wait.” He grinned. “Almost done packing. Then this Sunday’s the move.”
“Need any help? I got my car. Could take a few boxes.”
“Dude. That’d be awesome.” Tad wiped his mouth. “Thank you. Yes.”
Breck smiled, happy to help, then continued on track. “How do you feel about living with Max? That guy’s hard-core, yeah? Like, a serious Dom?”
Tad made a face and put his burger down. Drank his lemonade. “Yeeeaaaaah, that’s gonna be interesting. He’s definitely an ornery one. And it certainly doesn’t help that we got off to a rough start. But, you know, he’s warming up to me… I think. Although… Hmm. Maybe not. Shit, I dunno. He’s hard to read.”
Breck tamped a laugh. “Scott’ll protect you.”
Tad grunted. “Yeah. Max learned the hard way not to go that route.”
Breck’s brows shot high. “Whoa, what? They scrapped? Because of you?”
Tad sighed. “The situation was fucked.”
“I wanna ask.”
“Please don’t,” he laughed. “Just know that Max won’t ever try to mess with me. Like, ever.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “But even if he did, I could totally take him.” He flashed Breck a grin. “I’d take his ass down with my Harland Hurricane.”
Breck barked out a laugh. That arrogant fucker. To date, the Harland Hurricane was Tad’s favorite move to use on Breck. But that wasn’t enough. He’d had to name it after him as well. “Do it.” He smirked, in spite of himself. “He won’t know what hit ’em. God knows I never fuckin’ do.”