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Luke groaned and left the table. He didn’t want to hear anything else. Let them flirt. He wouldn’t be a witness. He strode out to the foyer, then the patio area off to the north end of the building. The chilly air burned in his lungs.

Coming to the reunion had been a mistake. He couldn’t deny who his heart wanted, but he wasn’t wanted by Carson.

“Luke.” Carson caught up to him. “Hey. I wanted to talk to you.”

“It’s cool. You’re busy. Give them another few minutes and you’ll be swarmed.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching for Carson. “Duncan’s been crazy to meet you.”

“I can tell.” Carson directed Luke away from the doors and closer to the railing. “How are you?”

“Good.” He nodded. He hated being stilted, but whatever. “I’m at the library. Nerd in charge.” He fidgeted with the change in his pocket. “And I’m at the school.”

“You got your dream jobs.”

“I did.” He hated small talk. “You?”

“I’m all over the papers. Everyone knows what I’m doing.” Carson chuckled. “And if I didn’t know my own story, Duncan just filled me in.”

“He’s a fan.” He wished Duncan had been that invested in the relationship when they’d been together.

“Sounds like,” Carson said.

Three classmates joined them on the porch. The women hurried over to Carson. “Can we have a picture?” Erin asked. “Phil? Will you take it?”

Nicole joined Erin, flanking Carson. All three grinned. Phil nudged Luke out of the way, then snapped the photo. “My turn,” Phil said. He shoved the phone into Luke’s hands. “You take it.”

“What if Luke wants to be in the photo?” Carson asked. He took the phone. “Here.” He held out the device, then nodded to Luke. “Come here. Join in.”

“I didn’t want him in it,” Erin said. “Just us.”

“Ah.” Luke stayed away. Ever since he’d argued with Erin over missing library materials her daughter had checked out, Erin hadn’t liked him. She treated him like dirt every time she saw him. He stayed to the side as the photos were taken.

“Thanks. I’ll be in shortly.” Carson smiled. “I’ll be back.”

“Don’t waste too much time out here.” Phil waved, then herded Nicole and Erin back into the building.

Luke clutched the railing. They’d acted like he didn’t exist. Some things never changed. Carson was hot, had money and fame. Everyone wanted a piece—even him. Why was he surprised Carson was so popular? Because he knew another side of Carson and wanted that side to himself.

“We should go in,” Carson said. “And get this over with.”

“Yeah. I’ll be in after a moment.” He couldn’t face them yet.

Carson touched Luke’s arm, sending tingles through his being. “Jesus.”

Luke met Carson’s gaze, and the electricity intensified. “What’s wrong?”

Carson laced his fingers with Luke’s. “I know that was shitty. They know what they’re doing and that it’s mean, but don’t worry about them. I didn’t come back to see them or meet Duncan. I came here for you.”

Luke parted his lips and said nothing. What was there to say? Being with Carson was like old times. Carson gave him strength. He wanted to believe what his ex-boyfriend had said. God, he needed to believe.

“Let’s get through the banquet and slip away. I need some Luke time.” Carson tugged him close. “I’ve missed you.”

“Carson?” He didn’t quite have faith in Carson.

“We can get coffee and talk,” Carson said. “No interruptions.” He hugged him. “I can’t tell you enough how much I’ve missed you.”

“Yeah?” He wondered if he’d regret being with Carson one more time. Even if they just talked, he’d have some closure, right? The more Carson touched him, the more he liked it. He headed inside with Carson and didn’t let go until they reached the table.

Duncan pushed between Luke and Carson, pinning Carson between himself and the woman.