Page 86 of Missed Steps

I’m glad Mark has someone like that protecting him.

I clear my throat. “What is Damien usually like with Mark’s boyfriends?”

Sebastian snorts. “What boyfriends? You’re the only guy I know of that Mark has dated.”

I glance at Eddie, but he shrugs. “I met him here at college. And the only guy he paid attention to long term was you.” He shook his head. “All your stupid fights in all those clubs. Anytime he heard you joined a new one, he’d be right there, like an idiot.”

“That must have been hilarious to watch,” Sebastian says with a grin. “Mark trying to flirt and what? What would Kyle do?”

Eddie grins back. “One time—”

“No, no, no!” I sit up quickly, too many embarrassing memories flooding my mind. My cheeks prickle with heat, and even the back of my neck feels as though it’s burning.

“Every single party they’d end up at, Mark would approach Kyle,” Eddie rubs his chin. “I thought he just liked fighting and they hated each other, but now that I know, looking back, it’s honestly pretty funny. Last semester—”

“Mark!” I call. “Ready to leave?”

Sebastian cackles. “Eddie, you and Bethany should ride with me and Tommy.”

“No. Absolutely not,” I object.

???

I end up alone in Mark’s car, Sebastian ushering us away with a look of total glee.

“He’s a devil,” I grumble. It’s a four-hour drive. That is four hours of embarrassing stories that the four of them can all share. Bethany and Tommy have witnessed just as many as Eddie has.

“Yeah,” Mark agrees offhand. Only after we join traffic does he cast me a sideways look. “But what did he do this time?”

I sink in my seat, face heating. “He wants Eddie to tell him about our fights.”

Mark grins. “You mean our flirting?”

“Can’t you control your cousin?”

“I don’t think anyone can control Sebastian. Though I bet Tommy is going to give it a good go.”

I stretch in my seat. “Tommy isn’t controlling,” I point out. That being said, Tommy was focused in on Sebastian. I muse on that particular pairing for a few seconds before speaking. “You know, I didn’t even realise Tommy was attracted to guys.”

“He might not be. Could just be attracted to brats,” Mark suggests. “Which works for me. I don’t have to worry about him.” He casts me a smile. “You’re as sweet as they come.”

“I amnotsweet,” I say. Not defensively or anything, but I am dead certain that there’s no way Mark could come away from our interactions since we met and thinksweet.

“Sweet, eager…” Mark trails off.

I bat away the hand creeping onto my thigh. “You just mean in bed,” I grumble.

“I don’t, but if we’re talking about what you’re like in bed—”

“Mark,” I interrupt, getting embarrassed even though we’re alone. I always lose the run of myself; I’m way too eager. I shuffle in my seat, and then roll down the window, feeling too hot. “I always come way too quick,” I finally mutter.

Mark groans. “Babe, I’m driving.”

“You brought it—” I cut off. “Why are you hard?”

Mark’s considerable size means even if he’s sporting a semi, it is so very visible in his jeans. He makes a noise of discomfort and squirms. “Do you expect me not to get turned on when you talk about coming? Change the subject, please.” Mark angles his face away from me.

I eye the bulge in his jeans and swallow. I look away from Mark and adjust myself in my trousers—which I’m sure isn’t any discomfort compared to what Mark probably feels inhisjeans. Inadvertently, my gaze drags its way back.