Page 27

“My senior year of high school. He got sick. I mean, he was in his eighties, but it was the worst moment of my life.” I swallow, looking beyond me at the city. The lights bouncing off the black night make me smile. I’ve always loved the way cities look when the sun goes down.

“I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like you guys were very close.

” I think about my own mother and how it left me so empty when she was gone.

We used to do movie nights every Friday night, even when she was sick, and that first Friday after her death, I lost it.

She’d died on the Monday, but it didn’t really sink in until then.

That Friday Jamie, Bri, Luci, and Xavi had planned a surprise movie night with my mother’s favorite movies. I cried so fucking much. It was then I knew who my people were, and even though my father’s betrayal hurt, I knew I’d be okay.

By the sounds of it, though, Mark doesn’t have that. He doesn’t have this core group of people who have his back, and I feel bad for him. I like the thought of being his person now, though I guess I have to share him with Noah too. “He was my favorite person,” he says softly.

“I bet he’d be really proud that you’ve stuck to your dreams. Even if your family disagrees with your career choice.”

He sighs. “My father’s a good person; he just doesn’t understand why I would miss the opportunity to take a high-paying job.

He doesn’t get it. My mother sort of gets it, she’s great, she really is.

I have two parents who love me, I know this.

I just wish they’d understand me, too, sometimes.

I know I come from a place of privilege.

I’ve never had to struggle, my family’s well off, but I also can’t imagine spending the rest of my life in a job I hate just to make money, just to make them proud. I just want to be happy.”

I smile, wanting to hold him. “I’m proud of you.” I hang up without saying a word, only clicking on the video icon to call him straight back. I need to see him. He answers a second later, and I smile as his adorable face fills the screen. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he laughs softly. “You look cold.” I am a bit. I lean forward, looking into my room and don’t see Monty on the bed.

“I think they’re done. Or Monty is finishing in the bathroom.”

“Gross.” Mark laughs. I want to reach out and tuck some of the ice-blond hair behind his ear as I watch it fall into his face. “Noah will be back soon then.”

“When I get back, would you like me to teach you how to skate?”

“You mean watch me fall on my ass?”

“I’ll protect your ass. Don’t you worry. I’ve grown pretty fond of it actually.” I reach down, squeezing my cock. Just thinking about him has me pent up.

“What’s the matter, Hunter?” he says softly. “Got a problem down there?”

I grin wide, just itching to touch him. “Just thinking about you. That night.”

“It was a great night,” he agrees, his blue eyes growing a bit sleepy. “I can’t wait to do it ag—” His door opens as he looks back. “Ah, shit,” he whispers.

“What?” I hear Noah say before he gets on the bed next to Mark. “Oh, hey, Puck Da—”

“Hunter.” I try my best to smile, a little upset my time with Mark is done now.

“What were you doing, you took forever?” Mark asks, but he smirks. Noah ignores him, getting off the bed. “I should go, I guess,” he says to me.

“Yeah, I guess.” We’re going to be back in two days, but still, I’m going to miss him. I’m so busy these days and just want more time with him.

“When I get back, I’m teaching you how to skate.”

“You mean watching me fall on my ass.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect it.”

“Careful, Mark has no ass. He may shatter right up the middle,” I hear Noah say in the background. Fuck, how did I already forget he was there?

“Mark has a great ass.”

“Aw.” Noah comes back into frame looking at Mark. “The man is willing to lie to you. He’s a keeper.”

I shake my head. “I hope you have a good night, babe. Get some sleep.”

“You too.” Mark blushes a bit, looking back at where I assume Noah is. “I miss you. Good night.” He gives me a kiss as Noah’s gagging sounds in the background.

“Night, Noah,” I call out then hang up. I take a second, looking out to the city, then leaning forward I see Monty now lying in bed, hand not in his pants. I’m freezing when I get up and go into our room. “Have fun sexting Noah?”

Monty frowns as I pass him and drop onto my bed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Noah said you two had phone sex while I was talking to Mark.”

“He said he wouldn’t say anything!” I cock my brow. “He didn’t say anything, did he?”

“Nope.” I smile, proud of myself. Monty shuts his light off, grabbing his blankets and pulling them around his body, and while I want to tease him, I know he’s struggling a bit. “Anytime you need to talk I’m here, okay? About anything. Even the depraved things you do with that demon.”

It’s quiet, and I shut my light off ready to sleep. I think about Mark, the conversation we had, and how I can’t wait for a million more moments just like it. “Thank you, Hunter. I appreciate that.”

Letting the silence spread around us, I close my eyes and dream about baby-blue eyes and ice-blond hair.