Page 124

“Am I wrong?” Dean asked, his lips curling with devilish mischief.

Troy huffed, standing and snatching up the tablet. “That is neither here nor there, and I ask that you mind your own business, good sir.”

Dean gave him a dry look. “This from the man who likes to share every last detail of his latest bedroom partner, in excruciating, unnecessary detail, I might add.”

Troy laughed, giving him a shrug. “Some of us aren’t built for relationships, Dean, whereas others, like you, are. I’m having some fun, and I don’t want a boyfriend or a not boyfriend.”

“You sure? I could always ask Marco if he’s got some single friends.”

“Oh, no, no matchmaking, no setting me up. I can tend to my own love life, thank you very much.”

That wasn’t strictly true, but he wouldn’t start admitting his failings to Dean. God knew the story of his love life, back when he’d tried to have one, was a complete disaster. Troy had learned his lesson, or at least what he claimed was his lesson. If love could bethatdisastrous for him, then there was no point trying to force it.

He didn’t think he could take that heartbreak again.

Dean shrugged. “It’s not like it would kill you.”

“Says you. Imagine trying to tie down this wonderful commodity to only one person. It would be a crime.”

Dean groaned, rubbing his face. “Please, Lord, tell me you have something else to do.”

“I’ll point out that you started this.”

“And boy, am I regretting it.”

Troy gave him a wink. “That’s what I’m here for, to feed you nothing but regret.”

“Maybe you should go make sure everything is in order for our round of check-ups.”

“What, those don’t start till 0900.”

“And you’ve got twenty minutes.”

Troy looked up at the clock and cursed. “Damn it. Are these more of General Winter’s new chosen people? Because after the surprise ‘oh, just a training exercise injury’ visit, I don’t think we can take more.”

Dean snorted, turning back to the computer. “No, we have a new one in a couple of days, though, but these are just normal check-ups.”

Troy sighed. So much for his quiet and boring morning. He’d completely forgotten about the morning’s check-ups, and he’d been hoping to slip in a quick nap.

Troy set the tablet down. “You’re a slave driver.”

“You can always take my place and do the paperwork.”

Wrinkling his nose, Troy left the office before Dean decided that was a good idea. The last thing they needed was Troy dealing with paperwork. But first things first, he thought maybe he knew just how to lift Dean’s spirits.

With a knowing smirk, he opened the screen to his phone and dialled a number.

Tryingto improve Dean’s mood with good food wasn’t the grand plan Troy thought it was.

Troy sat beside Dean, watching the man poke at his food, growing distracted from his meal as he tried to be as evasive as possible, telling Troy what was wrong. For a brief shining moment, it looked as though Dean and Sloane’s friendship had been restored, but apparently, something more significant had happened, which was exactly why Troy had cornered Dean in the office and started being the concerned friend. Troy also thoughtit was cute how desperately Dean tried to be cryptic while wearing every emotion openly on his face.

So Troy tried something a little more direct.

Troy chuckled. “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t wondered if there was more going on with you two than you let on.”

Dean’s eyes widened with shock. “What?”

Troy held his hands out, hoping to placate Dean. “Stop, it’s just a thought. Don’t get me wrong, you two would be a cute couple, and sometimes I still wonder, but you guys are what you are. In the end, that’s all that matters, and you shouldn’t worry too much. Sloane’s a stubborn jerk, and you’re just as hardheaded. You guys aren’t going to fall apart that easily.”