Page 70 of Off Plan

I stopped in my tracks, heart racing. Of everyone on this island, Beale was the only one who knew how much I loved the rocks. As far as I knew, he was the only one who even remembered that spot was there. Had Beale seen us? I hadn’t even considered that last night, andfuck, Mason wouldnotbe happy if this got out.

“I don’t know what you thought you saw, but you keep your mouthshut, get it?” I took a threatening step in his direction and lowered my voice. “I’m being very,veryserious here, Beale. Donottell your father, donottell your brothers. Tellno one. Mason’s sorting through some shit, and he doesn’t need anyone up in his business.”

A slow smile dawned on Beale’s face. “I didn’t see a damn thing last night, Fenn. But this morning, when I was running on the beach, I saw an empty bottle of your schmancy beer and two sets of footprints. In fact,at first, I was gonna give you shit about picking things up with Gerry—”

I made a disgusted noise. “How many times do I have to tell you, that is a thing that willneverbe picked up? I can’t manage to have a conversation with the man while sober, Beale. Okay?”

Beale held his palms up. “Yeah. Okay! Chill.” He rocked on the soles of his boots. “So, when you say Mason doesn’t need anyone up in his business, I take it you mean besidesyou?”

“No.” I resumed walking. “I’m not up in his business either. Not like that. We’refriends. We decided.”

“You realize that saying youdecidedto be friends implies that there were other choicesbesidesfriendship.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck.I was digging myself into a hole, so I tried keeping my mouth shut.

It didn’t work.

“So is Mason into you? Did you hook up?” Beale didn’t looknearlyas surprised by this development as I would have expected him to be.

“What happened between us wasnoneof your goddamn business.” I felt my face go hot. “Anyway, we’refriends. And he’s leaving here the second he gets another job, which could be tomorrow for all I know. It’s better if we just… don’t… discuss any non-friendship options that might exist.”

Beale tilted his head to one side and assessed me for a moment. “Ahhh.” He nodded in understanding. “Yeah, no, I feel you, Fenn. If Mason is… how’d you put it? ‘Sorting through some shit’? That’s probably not a good situation for you. After Texas Thad fucked you over, it’s better if you stick to guys who’ve been out and proud a while, huh?”

I scowled. “It’s not like that—”

“But sinceyou’renot interested, and Masonmightbe, I might as well up my flirting game! Set blasters tokillinstead ofstun.” He rubbed his hands together and wiggled his eyebrows.

I whirled to face him. “No. You shouldnot. Just leave Mason be.”

“But why?IfMason’s taking some fledgling steps into figuring out his sexuality, he’ll need a guide,” Beale said mildly. “And I’m a great guide. Really gentle and patient—”

Red mist covered my vision, and I thumped Beale’s shoulder,hard. “He doesn’t need you to be his gay sherpa!”

Beale’s tongue traced the inside of his cheek as he regarded me, no trace of his customary smile in place.

A new, disturbing thought occurred to me. “Wait. Beale, do you havefeelingsfor Mason?”

The air was heavy and close in the boat with the plastic down, which was obviously why I was sweating.

Obviously.

“Would it matter to you if I did?” Beale asked at length. “Would you be okay if I made a play for him, then?”

“Ye—” I broke off with a cough. There was only one right answer to that question, but somehow, I couldn’t make myself give it. “I mean…”

“Uh-huh.” Beale’s face split in a shit-eating grin. “Your aura is so freakin’ red right now, I can’t even handle it. I donothave feelings for Mason, Fenn. Butyoudo.”

“Do not.”

“Jealousy is a feeling, buddy.”

“I…” I opened my mouth and closed it again.Fuck.

“Question is, what you plan to do about it—”

“I already told you.Friends.”

“—because if you don’t want him—”