Page 89 of A Matter of Fact

“It’s open!” Sebastian yelled, not leaving the comfort of Remington’s side.

The front door opened and two men stepped into the apartment. One, Beckett recognized from the brunch he’d met Rhys. It was Jace, who was best friend to Remington and apparent fiancé of Callahan McMillian, Rhys’s ex-boyfriend. Beckett sat on his hands to stop from fidgeting, and he tried not to stare too long at Callahan, who was admittedly breathtakingly handsome. He carried himself much like the St. George brothers and nothing like Jace. Beckett immediately saw all of the things Rhys must have seen in him once upon a time.

Callahan appraised the guests, his stare landing on Beckett and holding until Jace shouldered him into the room. Beckett tore his attention away, counting the strands of carpet around his foot instead of making any more eye contact.

“Hey,” Jace greeted, lowering himself into a chair that faced the couch. Callahan took the chair beside him, still silent and thoughtful.

“Beckett,” Sebastian said, and Beckett forced himself to look up. “This is Jace and Callahan. Guys, this is Beckett, Rhys’s boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend.” The way Jace rolled the word around in his mouth made it sound like the concept amused him more than he wanted to let on.

“Right,” Remington confirmed.

“I can’t picture it,” Jace said, shifting his weight.

“Because I’m not rich?” Beckett snapped, stare flickering up and locking onto Jace’s chocolate brown stare.

A slow grin crept across Jace’s face. “No. Because I can’t picture anyone tolerating Rhys that long.”

“He did.” Beckett pointed at Callahan, who sucked his teeth at Beckett, but otherwise remained silent.

“I don’t have money either, Beckett.” Jace chuckled. “Pump your brakes.”

“You do now,” Callahan finally spoke, his voice soft, like it was only meant for Jace.

“Clearly the only reason I’m with you.” Jace rolled his eyes and stretched his arm toward Callahan, who tangled their fingers together like it was second nature.

“Rhys is…he’s…he’s complicated,” Beckett said, finding himself overwhelmed with the need to defend the man he loved to the people who were supposed to be his friends.

“He’s something,” Callahan agreed with a heavy exhale. He looked at Sebastian, expression turning more formal. “You know I hate this.”

“I know,” Sebastian said apologetically. “I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important. And I know you hate him being here, but he really is…”

“He’s not the villain you think he is,” Remington offered, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Jace barked out a laugh. “Does he have you fooled, too? I told you what he’s like. I told you the things he said to me.”

“Rhys always has an end game,” Sebastian interrupted. “This isn’t news to anyone in this room.”

“He’s never needed help before. Why now?” Callahan asked. “Why me?”

“He’s done,” Sebastian said. “He wants out. He wants to stay away.”

“Then what’s stopping him?”

Beckett remained quiet while the two best friends bantered back and forth. Their conversation moved easily, fluidly, and Beckett wondered how they were able to survive the way Rhys broke Callahan’s heart back in college.

“He’s accustomed to his life,” Sebastian said. “Like I was, like you are.”

“So he doesn’t want to be poor like me?” Jace taunted.

Callahan jerked their joined hands. “You’re not poor.”

“Well, I am,” Beckett said with a helpless shrug. “I wouldn’t want this for him.”

“He started a separate bank account after he was formally hired on by the school,” Sebastian explained. “That’s all he wants. The money in that account. He’ll walk away from everything else.”

“Then what’s stopping him?” Jace repeated the earlier question.