Page 13 of Big Rucking Disaster (Rucked by You #8)

As does Johnnie’s .

“He might not want to come out.”

“I can go—”

“Nope. You’re here now. He can choose whether he comes out or not. Are you okay sharing whatever brought you here this morning, or do we need privacy? If I ask, he’ll respect it.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

I cocked my head.

He waved me off.

I finished setting the machine and then hotfooted it back to the bedroom.

Johnnie sat on the bed, putting his socks on. He eyed my feet. “Those must be cold.”

“Hence me coming to get my slippers.” For just the briefest of moments, I considered stripping and putting on underwear because commando wasn’t my favorite state of dress. Judging that would take too long, and after putting on my slippers, I reached out.

He’d finished putting on his socks, so he grasped my hand.

“Do you want to come and meet my best friend?”

“Does he know about us?”

“I haven’t told him…” I took in a deep breath. “But he knows me and is, like, almost positive I haven’t been with anyone since my ex.”

“Which you haven’t.”

“Which I haven’t. That’s why he’s so surprised I have a guest.” I rubbed his hand.

“He offered to leave, but I’ve asked him to stay.

He has something on his mind, and I’m not certain what it might be.

But that doesn’t mean you have to come out to see him.

You’re welcome to stay here, or I can arrange for a cab to take you—”

“It’s okay.” He smiled. “I like the idea of meeting your friend.” He ducked his head. “I like the idea that I mean something to you. I do, right?” He gazed at me earnestly.

“You absolutely do mean something. I don’t just bring everyone to my bed platonically and let them give me a blow job.”

He burst out laughing. “Hey, didn’t say you were cranky before your first cup of coffee?”

“Normally.” I winked. “But not when I get a blow job before getting out of bed. Let’s go.” I tugged him toward the door.

He came willingly.

We walked the short distance to the kitchen where Hugo sat at the table with his coffee.

My two traitorous cats were devouring their food. Clearly they remembered my friend was an easy mark and, just as clearly, he remembered how much to feed each one. Purrs abounded.

To my surprise, he rose when he saw Johnnie, and held out his hand. “Hugo.”

Johnnie released my hand and took Hugo’s. “Johnnie.”

Hugo grinned. “I’ll bet there’s a story here—and you don’t have to share. I’m just supercurious.”

“Yeah, I’d be if one of my mates suddenly turned up at some guy’s place when I thought he was straight.”

“Uh, okay.” Hugo’s eyebrows shot almost to his hairline.

Johnnie laughed.

I headed to the coffee machine. “Do you want a cup?”

“Hell fucking yes.” Johnnie moved toward me. “Can I help?”

I waved him off. “Won’t take more than a minute. Have a seat. You’re the guest.”

He plopped down next to Hugo, then pointed to me. “So how did you become mates?”

“Teaching buddies. I was an old pro when this guy started.”

I rolled my eyes. “Three years, my friend. You weren’t an expert.”

“Yeah, but I knew where the staff room was, which days to stay away from the cafeteria, and the best parking spots to avoid getting bird poop on your car.” He grinned devilishly.

His red hair gleamed in the sunlight streaming in the kitchen window, and his blue eyes—a shade lighter than Johnnie’s—sparkled.

“All true.” I finished the coffee Hugo’d started. I gestured to Johnnie.

“Black is fine.”

“Okay.” I walked the mug over to him, handed it over, and headed back to the machine. At this point, I was getting desperate for my own cup.

“We hit it off on day one. We were both gay, which we each picked up on quickly, but neither of us was particularly out . In the end, when Yardley got married, he came out.”

“And survived the shitstorm.” I eyed the hot, black liquid pouring into my mug.

“I survived my marriage.” Hugo winced. “That ended, and I didn’t see the point of coming out. Then I was outed—”

“By your future fiancé.”

“—by my future fiancé.” He chuckled. “Which is another story for another day. So, like, that was that. I was out, I was engaged, and this guy’s marriage had just fallen apart.” He winced. “Which super sucks but Nicholas was always an asshole.”

“You never said.” My chest squeezed.

“You were happy—at least for the first few years. Or I perceived you were happy.”

“I was.” I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them. My gaze traveled back and forth between my two guests. “Or I told myself I was.”

“I get that.” Johnnie glanced down at his coffee. “I really do.”

My coffee finished brewing. Thank God I liked things hot and was immediately able to take a swig. “So, we’re not here to rehash my marriage.” I eyed Hugo.

“I’m getting married in six days.”

“I’m aware. Since I’m your best man and all.” Let him come to you. He never responds well to pressure tactics .

He fingered the handle of his mug. “I don’t want to think I’m making a mistake.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Do you think you’re making a mistake?”

“No.” Said quietly with a bit of force.

“Okay.” I moved to the table and sat in the chair between the two men.

“I just…what if I’m not good enough? He’s Axel Freaking Townsend and—”

“Holy shit.” Johnnie’s jaw dropped. “You’re marrying Axel Townsend? From Grindstone?” He narrowed his gaze. “Oh, wasn’t there some scandal last year? Sorry, I didn’t pay attention, and you probably don’t want to rehash it, and why don’t I just shut my mouth?”

Hugo chuckled. “Yes, that Axel Townsend. Yes, that scandal. Yes, these fears.”

Here, I could offer support. “Hugo.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve never seen a man more besotted than Axel.”

He arched an eyebrow.

“Yes, I just used a big, fancy word. Because it fits. He’s head over heels in love with you. He professed his love for you on stage.”

“Well—”

“He moved in with you.”

“Well—”

I glared.

“What? He and Ed were selling the condo because Ed was buying a house with Thornton, and yes, that Ed Markham.” He directed his comment to Johnnie.

“You’re just getting cold feet. You’re almost fifteen years older than him—of course you’re having second thoughts.” I needed him to know I understood.

“He could snap his fingers and have any man or woman he wanted.”

“He couldn’t have me.” Johnnie grinned.

Hugo cocked his head.

“I only want him.” Johnnie pointed to me.

Heat flared in my cheeks as Hugo gazed speculatively between the two of us. “I’m really sorry to have interrupted.”

“No worries. He’ll give me a blow job later.” Johnnie sipped his coffee. “Do you have any cookies to go with this? I’m starving.”

Hugo smacked his palm against his forehead. “I left the donuts in the car. One moment.” He stood and hurried out of the kitchen. A moment later, the front door slammed shut.

“Uh, Johnnie…?”

“Yep.” He grinned.

Because he knew exactly he was doing.

And he was daring me to question him about it.

“How do you like your eggs? Because donuts don’t have enough protein for a professional athlete.”

He continued grinning. “Over easy—like me.”

An hour later, Hugo left—after having secured a promise from Johnnie that he’d be my plus-one at the intimate ceremony to be held six days from then.

I couldn’t believe it.

How is this my life?