Page 29 of A Real Good Lie

“Out. Speaking of, are you cominginor not?” He stepped aside and stretched out his arm, indicating Sebastian should come inside, which he did. The door closed behind him with a click and Callahan closed his eyes, sighing.

“What’s this?” Sebastian said, and Callahan opened his eyes, searching the room until he found Sebastian hunched over Jace’s suitcase contents.

“It’s Jace’s bag.”

“Why does it look like he packed a raccoon in here?”

“He tossed it to get out his camera.”

“Where did he go?” Sebastian peered around the empty room.

“Out.” Callahan answered again with a shrug. “To take pictures, I’d assume.”

“You didn’t ask?”

Callahan snagged one of the complimentary vodka bottles from the countertop and twisted it open, drinking it straight from the tiny rim instead of pouring it into a glass. The hard alcohol was sharp as it went down his throat and he grunted, trying to stave off the burning sensation as he swallowed.

“I like him,” Sebastian said, a hint of warning in his words. “Don’t be a dick to this guy.”

“I’m not being a dick.” He tilted his head backward and stared up at the ceiling. “Can we go to the restaurant and get a proper drink? I need to talk to you about this whole thing.”

“It’s too late to back out,” Sebastian said, heading toward the door. “Rhys has already told everyone about you and your beau.”

That had been one of Callahan’s worst fears, but he’d also known as soon as they ran into Rhys at the airport that it would happen. The only thing his ex loved more than drama was attention, and pointing out that Callahan had brought a previously unknown boyfriend with him back home was killing two birds with one stone.

He followed Sebastian out of the room and down to the bar on the first floor. It was crowded with people, but no one he immediately recognized. They found a table in the corner and after ordering drinks, Sebastian turned to him with eager eyes.

“What’s the problem?” he asked, propping his chin on his hands. “I honestly thought you’d like him.”

“He’s insufferable.” Callahan frowned, not willing to admit he did like Jace and that was the problem. “He’s too smooth for anyone’s own good.”

“You worried you’re going to fall victim to his charms?”

“I already did,” he muttered.

“Oh? Do tell.” Sebastian practically giggled as the waitress dropped off their drinks.

Callahan pushed the straw out of the way and took a drink, the vodka and Sprite chilling his throat as he swallowed. He’d had a lot more to drink than normal already and he knew he needed to pace himself, but his hands trembled and he didn’t know if it was from living in his memories about Jace or his fear of the future.

“I met him before. Or rather, the day you set this all up actually.”

“How?” Sebastian squinted. “I didn’t even give you his phone number until after midnight.”

“I know. After you left. He was there.”

“And you didn’t exchange names?” Sebastian’s eyes widened and he barked out a laugh. “You deviant. I didn’t know you had it in you for a nameless hookup.”

“I don’t,” he snapped, leaning in and lowering his voice before continuing, “We didn’t hook up, and he didn’t even ask me my name. We just…we kissed.”

“Honestly, Callahan, I’m proud of you.” Sebastian let out a noisy sigh, then raised his champagne flute in a toast. “This should be even easier than I thought, but why aren’t you together then?”

“Why would we be together because we kissed?”

“Are you seriously that dense?” Sebastian lowered his glass and dipped his chin toward his chest. “Don’t you spend time with people you like?”

“I don’t like him,” he answered quickly, though…it was maybe a lie.

There werethingshe most certainly liked about Jace, but there was so much he didn’t know about the man, like how he scorned Callahan for being rich and then snuck out of their hotel room with a three thousand dollar camera clutched against his chest. He didn’t understand why Jace continued to lay on his little playboy lines, even after Callahan had tried to express his lack of interest.