Page 8

The seconds tick by, and silence blankets the room in tension thicker than my thighs. I find myself wishing for the distraction of a television or a clock to stare at obsessively. Anything to take my mind off the impending year and what it might bring.

Desperate to fill the silence, I ask Harrison, “What were you spray painting?”

Harrison’s eyes light up. “A giant pair of scissors cutting through a stack of bills. It’s symbolic.”

“Nice,” Daniel says with a nod.

Daniel comes from a rich family, but he doesn’t use or flaunt his wealth. He’s the kind of guy who wants to make it onhis own merits, not by who his parents are or what they can bring to the table.

The guards shout again. “Five more minutes!”

Harrison pushes himself off the door. “If you won’t kiss me”—he gestures at Daniel with a wave of his hand—“maybe you will?” He stares at me, head tilted.

My jaw hits the floor. “Me?!” I squeak out.

“Or you two could kiss each other. Whatever floats your boat more.”

Harrison’s sharp blue gaze cuts through the dim light of the holding cell and assesses me in a way that no one else ever has.

I swallow hard and glance over at Daniel. He’s blushing…again. I think I am too.

Daniel’s a handsome fella, and we’ve been best friends for long enough that it would be an easy thing to do. Comfortable, even, to kiss him.

Wait. Why am I considering such a thing?

This is Daniel. My best friend. Mystraightbest friend. As am I. Straight, that is.

I open my mouth to sayno,but Harrison cuts me off. “Or…we could all kiss each other.”

My brain short-circuits. The image of the three of us going at it like some kind of human daisy chain flashes through my mind. And to my surprise, it sends a rush of blood straight to my groin.

I shift uncomfortably, trying to will it away, but it’s too late. The flimsy fabric of the mankini does nothing to hide my growing problem.

Harrison notices first, his eyes flicking down briefly. Daniel follows suit, his eyes widening as he gets a good idea of what I’m packing.

I want to die. What was supposed to be a simple dare has evolved into something far more complex.

“It’s the alcohol,” I blurt out. “And the…the cold.”Yeah, because getting hard from the cold makes total sense, Charlie.

Harrison laughs. “Try biology, McManus. Perfectly natural.It’s happening to me too.” He brazenly grabs his crotch, and I can’t stop myself from licking my lips. From swallowing past the lump in my throat. From wanting to grab the lump between my legs. “And Hollingsworth.”

My head whips over to Daniel. Even though he’s trying to hide it with his hands, it’s as plain as the nose on my face. My best friend has a boner.

The sight of it has me rocketing to my feet and hustling over to the door. “I’m gonna see if the guards have any clothes for us.” I bang on the door and shout at the top of my lungs. “Hey! Can someone get us some clothes?”

I get no response. Turning around, I choke on a gasp. Harrison is next to Daniel, gently petting his arm. Strangely, Daniel doesn’t seem to mind. Or maybe he’s too stunned to react.Yeah, let’s go with that.

“It’s almost midnight. Traditions are important.” Harrison’s finger trails up Daniel’s bicep. It quivers in response. “Now, you guys don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, but…sometimes, it’s worth finding out what you truly want.”

The worst thing about all of this is that he makes complete sense. Too much sense.

Daniel stares at me, eyes wide and silently asking me for permission. If it weren’t for all the blood pooling in my crotch, I’d be unraveling that little mystery at lightning speed.

Daniel’s straight. He has a girlfriend.

And I’m straight. No girlfriend, but I’ve had them in the past. And even though I’ve been celibate for longer than I care to admit, that doesn’t mean I should suddenly be interested in wanting to kiss a guy or two at midnight.

And yet, I take a tentative step forward. Then another. My heart pounds loud enough for the entire cell block to hear.