Page 72 of Should Our Hearts Catch Fire

“But you don’t want him to stop,” Ellis observes.

Jordan shrugs. “He’ll get it out of his system eventually and lose interest.”

Ellis can tell he doesn’t really believe that. He pats Jordan’s cheek. “You’re an idiot. But I guess that’s why we’re friends.”

Jordan huffs, chuckling. Slowly, he drags his gaze up and down Ellis’ form, and his lips twists in a sly grin. “For a straight boy, you sure look good up there. Maybe you won’t have to do as much research as I thought.”

Ellis blushes fiercely as he takes stock of the position he ended up in, sitting astride Jordan’s stomach. “Shut up.” He goes to get up when his ass brushes against something hard. Closing his eyes, he takes a slow, deliberate breath. “Please tell me you have a gun in your pocket.”

“You all but mounted me after I got a filthy text from the guy I’m crazy about. What did you expect?”

Ellis ungracefully stumbles to his feet, looking anywhere but Jordan’s crotch. “Let’s not talk about this, ever.”

Looking way too pleased about Ellis’ discomfort, Jordan stands up. “Look at it this way. You already got practice. If you ever straddle Gabe like that—”

“Not. Talking. About it.”

“Spoilsport. Anyway, you know where you’re taking him?”

“Uh, no. He insisted he takemeout for dinner.” Now that he said it out loud, he realizes how strange the prospect makes him feel.

Jordan’s brows shoot up and he whistles. “Oh, I like him. I like him a lot, Ellis.”

“Jordan…” Ellis growls a warning, making the dickhead laugh.

“I meant, I like him for you,” Jordan placates. “Come on. Are you telling me it doesn’t feel good to let someone else take care of shit for once?”

“I don’t know. It just feels weird, waiting for him to let me know what we’re doing. Like I should do something.” He won’t deny it feels nice to leave everything in Gabriel’s hands, but it also makes him feel useless.

“Well, you can always express your gratitude by sucking his—”

“Jordan!”

“Oh god, you’re so highly strung. It’s hilarious.”

“Glad I can provide a source of entertainment for you.”

Ellis ignores the stirring in his groin as the image of himself on his knees in front of Gabriel involuntarily flashes in his mind. Ugh, fucking Jordan, giving him ideas.

Jordan pulls him into a one-armed hug. “You know I love you. Come on, let’s watch someGG, that ought to help you relax.”

Ellis sighs and lets himself be led to the sofa.

If he survives the date, it will be a miracle.

Gabriel texts him the next morning while Jordan is packing his suitcase, his flight 3 hours away.

“Is that your boy?” Jordan asks with a knowing smirk.

Ellis shoots him a look. “He’s asking if there’s anywhere I don’t want to go. And if I have allergies.”

“Aww, so considerate. Well, you have that dairy thing…”

“He already knows.”

“Of course he does.” Jordan scoffs. “Is there anywhere you don’t wanna go?”

Wherever it’s people-y, but he can’t tell Gabriel that. Going out for dinner implies there will be people around. He’d hate to give Gabriel the impression that he’s ashamed of being seen with another man. It’s just that he’s always hated the possibility of other people listening in on what he and his date are talking about. And Erika and his girlfriend before that both had a thing where they hated if Ellis tried to take their hand in public, let alone do anything else. He’s not a huge fan of PDA, but even for him that was a bit extreme. Not that he’s planning any PDA with Gabriel. It’s the first date.