Page 26 of A Real Good Lie

Jace caught up to him, grabbing his wrist and hissing into his ear, “You really need to stop that. If not for the act, because it’s fucking rude.”

Callahan looked at him with wide eyes, his nostrils flaring like a dragon about to shoot fire, then he shook away from Jace’s hold on his wrist, twisted their fingers together and pulled Jace toward the check-in counter. Jace did his best to hide his surprised face, but he was fairly certain it was the first time Callahan had initiated contact with him with the exception of the impromptu kiss in the airport.

He barely paid attention as Callahan rattled off his check-in information, but then Callahan raised his voice, and everyone heard it.

“No,” Callahan said, fingers tightening around Jace’s hand. “I specifically asked for the two bedroom suite.”

“We don’t have the update and we’re fully booked, sir. There’s an event at St. George’s this weekend.”

“I know there’s an event,” Callahan bit out.

“It’s fine,” Jace interrupted, tugging on Callahan’s arm. “We’ll make do.”

“But.”

“Babe.” He smiled and gave Callahan a warning look, not sure of what people were in the lobby and if any of them knew Callahan or Rhys. “It’s fine.”

They finished getting checked in and walked to the elevator in silence. The ride was awkward, but once the bellhop got them to their room, Jace finally allowed himself to gawk. With his back pressed against the door, he stared out the large window that took up nearly the whole opposite wall. It looked like there was a complete living room and kitchen, then a door which he assumed led to the bedroom.

“One of us can sleep on the couch,” Callahan said, kicking his shoes off and opening the door. He disappeared, and Jace followed after, hoping it wasn’t the bathroom.

“Jesus,” he muttered, realizing he was in the bedroom, even though the room was probably the size of the entire apartment he shared with Remington. There was another large window, the clock tower in the quad at St. George’s looming in the distance, surrounded by what had to have been nothing but miles of clear sky. A king size bed was tucked against the wall, allowing a guest to wake up with what he hoped would be a gorgeous sunrise.

“One of us can sleep on the couch,” Callahan said again.

“I’m not sleeping on the couch.”

“Sorry. What?” Callahan frowned.

“I’m not sleeping on the couch,” he repeated. “This room is bigger than my entire apartment and this view is to die for.”

Jace grabbed his phone out of his pocket and snapped a picture of the view with a scowling Callahan in the corner, then he sent it to Remington with a row of open mouthed smiley emoji. He received an immediate reply.

Rem: Who’s the frowner?

Me: Boyfriend.

Rem: Could have done worse ;)

Me: I know him.

Rem: YOU WHAT???!

Me: Long story kind of. Text you later.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket.

“Who were you texting?” Callahan asked.

“My roommate. Remington.” Jace walked over to the window and flattened his hands against the glass, then he pressed his forehead between his palms and tried to look down. It didn’t make him dizzy, but he rolled away anyway, leaving his shoulder blades against the giant pane.

“You get along with him?”

“Obviously. We’re roommates.”

“How long have you lived with him?”

“Aw, Callahan. Are you trying to get to know me?” he asked, clutching his hands together in front of his chest.