Page 12 of Wrapped in Red

“CC, go after your man.” I waved my hands at him, but he shook his head. “What? Why not?”

His face twisted in confusion. “I’m not... There’s nothing there, Ez. There’s no spark.”

“So, you’re just going to let him go? Carson, seriously, he’s gorgeous! He came here to see you! Obviously, he must feel something if he flew here on Thanksgiving to surprise you. Don’t let him run away like you did with me.” I pushed at his arm.

He worried his lip between his teeth before he charged after Noel. I watched, with a pain in my chest that I convinced myself was just acid reflux from the cinnamon rolls, while they waved their hands at one another on the front lawn before I turned away to give them their privacy.

“Ezra, sweetie.” I looked up to see Amelia standing before me. “You did a good thing.”

If it was a good thing, why did it feel so terrible? Like someone was twisting my heart in the palm of their hand.

“I know.”

“You love him.” She padded my shoulder lightly.

“Yeah, I mean, he’s my best friend,” I assured her, even though the lie tasted like poison on my lips.

Amelia winked at me before she wrapped her arm gently around my shoulders. “You want some wine with your dinner?”

I had a feeling I was going to need it.

***

Would it be bad ifI stabbed Noel in the jugular with my fork? Because I really wanted to. I was pretty sure he was trying to make me jealous by the way he kept touching CC, batting his lashes at him, and calling him sweetie. Gag me. He kept giving me these little smirks whenever he caught me watching them, likeha-ha, Ezra, he’s mine, not yours, and I won.

Did you, Noel? Because I’m the one who gave him the hand job on New Year’s Eve. From what I heard, you two haven’t done anything more than kiss. Suck on that, bitch.

He did apologize for earlier, for not shaking my hand and for being rude, but I suddenly didn’t trust him. He seemed, I don’t know, sneaky like a snake, and for that reason, I decided he wasn’t good enough for my CC. But I was the one who had told him to chase Noel down. Make sure he didn’t leave. So, I guess all of this was my fault.

After we had eaten—I ate my feelings so much that I had a serious food baby situation going on—the three of us, Noel, CC, and myself, were sitting around the table. I suddenly realized that this probably meant I wasn’t spending the night again. I would have to go back to my lonely apartment. What about Black Friday shopping? I wasn’t going withicky Noel.

“What do you do for a living, Ezra?” Noel leaned his head on CC’s shoulder as he smiled at me.

I hated him. I hated him so much that I wanted to cry.Yes, CC, I’m jealous of your boyfriend because you were mine first.A thought appeared in my head. One that I shouldn’t let out because even though it was the truth, it was a big one. Even CC didn’t know, but I was about to drop that bomb like Chernobyl.

“I’m a camboy. You know, like OnlyFans.”

“Ha, right, good one.” Noel barked out a laugh as he sat up. When I didn’t laugh and he saw the way CC was staring at me, he tilted his head. “Wait, is that not a joke?”

CC’s nostrils flared. “Ez, I told you to stop doing that shit.”

“We can’t all make thousands of dollars driving around in circles like you and Mr. Wonderful every weekend, can we?” I raised my brows as I stood up.

Noel looked between the two of us. “What’s happening? Are you fighting again? Also, why are you wearing a Brooks Racing shirt?”

Did he just notice that? I’d had it on the entire time. I had a few that CC gave me to take home, but I’d keep that gem for later if I needed it.

“Oh, this? Yeah, CC gave it to me.” I stomped toward the stairs like a spoiled brat. “Nice to meet you, Noel.”

“Carson, where are you going?” I heard Noel ask as I rushed up the stairs to grab my shoes and dirty clothes before I left.

Jealousy was not a good look on me. I had to get out of here before I said something I couldn’t take back or broke them up. The second I shoved my shoes on my feet, I could feel the anger radiating off my best friend, and when I glanced up, he was standing in the doorway, blocking my way out of the room.

“What was that, Ezra?”

“What was what, Carson?”

CC rolled his eyes. “That nonsense you just pulled downstairs! You had better be lying about that camboy crap.”