Jay exhaled and was quiet a moment. “I’m sorry for how I acted. It was a shock. I never imagined you’d pull a stunt like that.”
“It’s not a stunt,” I said, leaning back in my chair and watching the rain fall outside the window. “I care about Cason. A lot.”
“I know. I can hear it in your voice when you talk about him. I saw it all over your face that night too.”
“So why did you get so pissed, Foley?”
“He’s a kid.”
“No, he’s not,” I snapped. “He’s old enough to know what he wants, and for some goddamn reason he wants me. I fought my attraction for him for months, and I was tired of fighting.”
“Okay.”
A tic started in my jaw. “Okay?”
“Yeah. Okay. Now lower your voice, darlin’. I’m sure that vein is popping out of your forehead like it always does when you’re mad.”
I rubbed at the popping vein in question and took a deep, calming breath. How was it that he knew me so well?
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Since we’re being honest here, I have another confession,” Jay said, followed by him speaking to someone on the other end of the line. Something about a court date, and he verified it. Then, he was talking to me again, “Sorry, my paralegal came in. We’re alone again.”
“Your confession?”
“Right.” Jay exhaled. “It wasn’t just his age that made me act that way. I was jealous.”
It took me a moment to process his words. He was jealous? Of Cason?
“Why?” I asked, tapping a finger on the arm of my chair. “There’s never been anything more than sex between us, and you said yourself that you don’t want a relationship.”
“I don’t.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“You’re my only real friend, Emery,” Jay said. His use of my first name told me how serious he was. “And as stupid as it is, I saw how head over heels you were for this fucking kid, and it got under my skin because I thought he was going to take you from me.”
“Why would he take me from you? You’re still my friend. My relationship status doesn’t change that.”
“How many men would be comfortable with you hanging out with a guy that used to suck your cock?” Jay asked. “My guess is not very many.”
“Cason knows about our history,” I said. “He was uncomfortable at first, sure, but when I explained everything, he was fine. He has no problem with me still hanging out with you.”
“So you talked about me, huh?” Jay asked with a smile in his voice.
“Of course. I had to explain the hot blond bastard I was having a drink with.”
When Jay laughed, I knew we were okay again.
I hadn’t realized how upset I was to be at odds with him until then. Because through it all, Jay had been there for me. My divorce, the secrets, and everything that followed. He was more than justa guy who used to suck my cock.Way more.
“Maybe I can meet him sometime,” Jay said. “Does he call you Daddy?”
“I’m hanging up now,” I said, suppressing a sigh.
“Later, Daddy.”
