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“No.”

And before he knew what was happening, Oscar kissed him.

OSCAR

What was he doing?

Troy had stupidly put himself at risk, and all for what, a bit of dick? Though Troy had never outright said it while they’d been dating, Oscar had always suspected Troy had played loose and fast with his sex life. It had never bothered him, it wasn’t like he thought Troy was still doing it while they’d been a couple. And honestly, he wouldn’t have cared to find out Troy had resumed his old habits.

But to be so flippant about nearly dying because of some random guy Troy had slept with? Coming around the corner to find that fucker with his hands wrapped around Troy’s throat had filled Oscar with a rage he’d never felt before. He would have gladly killed the man right then and there and probably would have if it hadn’t been for Troy’s interruption.

And now he was kissing Troy, feeling his lips, stiff from shock, pressed against his own. Oscar could feel the muscles in Troy’s shoulders easing as he gave in to the kiss, not quite returning it but softening into it.

Reluctantly, Oscar pulled back, uncurling his fingers from their grip on Troy’s shirt. The expression on Troy’s face looked as though someone had clubbed him unexpectedly in the back ofthe head, and there was more color in his cheeks. Oscar’s heart pounded as he withdrew his hand, letting it fall.

Troy scoffed, brushing his lips with his fingertips. “Well, didn’t see that coming.”

Oscar looked down, shrugging. “Makes us even.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Troy asked.

Oscar snorted. “It’s what you did to me...the first time.”

“Oh, right,” Troy chuckled. “Almost forgot about that.”

“I didn’t,” Oscar whispered.

The night was warm,but the breeze off the ocean was cool. Growing up in the desert, Oscar had never appreciated how beautiful the ocean could be, especially when the moon reflected off its surface. Walking beside him, Troy hummed softly, his eyes flitting between the open water and Oscar.

“So, it was just you and your brother?” Troy asked out of the blue.

Oscar nodded. “After our parents died, he was all I had left. He could have let me go into the system or tried to find some distant relative, but he didn’t. Considering how much shit I put him through, he might have been better off if he’d got rid of me.”

“Troublemaker?”

“A lot more than that.”

“Ohhh, trouble with the law then.”

“It’s a miracle I’m not in juvie.”

Troy smiled. “Nope, just the military.”

Oscar snorted but didn’t deny the man a small smile in return to say he caught the comparison. It was only the second time he’d seen Troy, and Oscar was a little surprised by how easy it was to talk to him and share things he typically didn’t share with anyone. And as much as he didn’t want to admit it, Troy made him laugh.

“I’m an only child, so I’d be up a certain creek without a paddle if something had happened to my mom and dad.”

“Oh, only child syndrome,” Oscar said.

“Damn right. I don’t share, and it’s all about me!”

As Oscar shook his head, Troy leaped onto a large piece of driftwood. It was enough to put him level with Oscar, and he smirked.

Oscar stopped in front of him, raising a brow. “Feeling tall?”

“For the first time in my life, it’s an amazing feeling.”

“You’re still short.”