Page 94 of His Temptation

“Sure.”

Jay ordered the drinks and settled back in place. “Did I tell you my brother and his son finally moved down?”

“You didn’t.” I glanced up as the waiter dropped off our beers and left again. “How’s that going?”

“Going well,” he answered. “Ivan is my opposite in every way, but I’d do anything for him and Foster. Don’t go tellin’ anyone I’m soft, though, got it? I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Lord forbid anyone learn Jay Foley has a heart,” I teased.

“Damn straight.” He took a drink.

The night out was exactly what I needed to loosen up.

Chapter 21

Cason

“I think my dad is seeing someone,” Ryan said as we sat in his dorm playing his Xbox.

Oh, fuck.

My face heated, and I tried to play it cool even though my heart was beating out of my chest. “Oh yeah? What makes you say that?”

“I went over last Sunday and I’m, like, ninety-nine percent sure someone was in the room with him.” Ryan tossed the controller when his character died again, and he grabbed the bag of chips, shoving some into his mouth. “Dad acted weird at first, like I’d interrupted him. And he closed his bedroom door. Which he never does. Then today, I caught him smiling as he texted someone. He said it was afriend, but I’m not a damn moron.”

“How would you feel if hewasseeing someone?” I asked, trying not to seem too interested in his answer.

“I don’t know.” He ate more chips and watched me play. “Like, it’s still weird for me that he’s into dudes, but I’m trying to look past that. I’ve hated being so distant with him lately. If heisseeing someone… I guess it’s okay as long as he’s happy.”

“Do you have any idea who it could be?”

“Maybe it’s that blond guy,” Ryan guessed, shrugging. “I hope not, though. That guy seems like a class A asshole.”

That’d been my first impression of the mysterious Jay as well. But if Emery liked him, he must not have been all bad.

“Faith posted a pic of you guys on Facebook,” Ryan said, showing me the picture. It was one we’d taken a few days ago when I ran into her at the mall while looking for some new jeans. In it, we were sticking our tongues out and being silly. The caption she put with it wasThis guy is a dork but I love him.“You sure you’re not banging her?”

“Yeah,” I answered. “We’rejustfriends. Nothing sexual or romantic going on there.”

“Hmm.” Ryan went back to scrolling on his phone. “I just don’t get it, man. All these girls are into you, but you’re still single and not even fucking anyone.”

“How do you know I’m not fucking anyone?” I blurted out defensively.

I’m such an idiot.

“Dude, seriously?” Ryan’s face lit up, and he slapped my arm. “Tell me who it is and where you met her. And show me a picture of her right fucking now.”

Her.

I’m tired of the secrets.

I had wanted to wait until we went off to college to tell him, but keeping the truth from him was so damn exhausting. I was tired of hiding. The trip to War Eagle with Emery where we’d been so open about our relationship had created a deep craving in my chest. I wanted to be that way with him every day, not just when we were hours from home.

“I need to tell you something,” I said, and my hands started shaking so bad I had to set down the game controller.

“What’s up?” Ryan’s previous smile fell as he took in my grave expression.

Just say it.I’m gay.