“Might want to check those news sites again,” Matt says quietly, but there’s something in his tone. Hope?
I recognize it because I’m pretty sure it’s how my voice sounds. I’m desperate to believe my dad has changed or something snapped in him that made him realize what a shitty father he’s been, but I can’t shake the feeling he has ulterior motives. I’ll push that to the back of my mind, because I’m getting exactly what I want.
Matt stands from the couch. “After my workout, we should go celebrate.”
“Actually, I’d really like to get started on this.” I turn to Jet. “And I want your input. You know the forum.”
“I’m in,” Jet says.
Matt moves closer to me. Leaning in, he brings his mouth to my ear. “You being selfless and excited about helping people is kinda hot.”
“Maybe I’ll show you how selfless I can be later when I let you fuck me.”
“Uh, guys,” Jet says, “still in the room which is really small. I don’t need to know the details. Thanks.”
Matt squeezes my hand. “Later.” With a kiss, he heads for the basement, and I throw myself down on the couch across from Jet.
“Let’s get to work.”
Chapter Nineteen
Matt
After my workout, Noah and Jet have their heads close together, looking at something on Noah’s laptop that sits on the coffee table. Noah’s got his long legs stretched out, and Jet lies on the couch behind him, looking over his shoulder.
Hmm, cozy.
I find them after my shower in the same spot. And after doing a load of washing. I half-want to ask if they’d suddenly become conjoined twins, but their low murmurs let me know they’re still busy.
I haven’t told Noah about my meeting with his dad yet, but it’s set for tomorrow. I want to hear what he has to say before I tell Noah. If it’s that he wants me to stay away from his son, Noah doesn’t need to hear it. The fact he’s given Noah responsibility and a huge project to run, I want to believe he can see Noah’s not going to relent on the political career he so desperately wants him to have. Maybe he’s given up and wants some form of relationship with his son. Getting his boyfriend a meeting with the Cougars’ owner might be his way of greasing the wheels.
One could hope that’s what he’s doing, but like Noah, I’m suspicious. This is the man who had absolutely no reservations about saying how I’m not good enough for his son while I was standing right there in front of him.
“What’s for dinner?” I ask.
“Sounds good,” Noah says.
Guess dinner is up to me then. “Steamed chicken and rice all round?”
“Totally,” Jet says.
Okay, now I know they have no idea what I’m saying. I call and order Chinese food but am not a total dick. I order them real food instead of the shit I force myself to chew down on a daily basis.
They don’t even stop for food, choosing to eat while they work.
Seeing as I’ve been getting up at ass o’clock every day, I doze off on the couch while waiting for Noah and Jet to finish for the night.
“Yo, chainsaw.” Jet’s voice startles me. “Care to take it upstairs? I have no idea how Noah sleeps with you and all that snoring.”
My vision’s blurry, and it takes a second to work out I’m still in the living room.
Noah gives me a weak smile. “I’ll be up soon. I swear.”
I stagger to my feet, dragging my ass up to the third floor. Undressing and climbing into bed still half-asleep, I crash out immediately. But when a warm body slides in behind me however long later, I can’t help rolling over and plastering myself to him. My leg goes over his hip, and he lets out a little laugh.
“Are you climbing me in your sleep?”
“Mmm.” I can’t open my eyes.
“Go back to sleep,” he whispers. “And for the record, I like your snoring.”
I smile in the dark.
“I’ve never slept better than when you’re in bed with me.” He sighs. “But I guess that’s one of those things we shouldn’t talk about.”
Pulling back, I force my eyes open. “Huh?”
“Nothing, babe. Goodnight.” He rolls away from me and faces the other way, but if he thinks he’s getting outta cuddling, he’s sorely mistaken. Turns out, I’m a cuddle whore in bed. I only hope I remember this conversation in the morning because I have no idea what he means. I didn’t realize there were things we weren’t supposed to talk about.
My hands sweat as I sit in the waiting area of Noah Huntington II’s office. Wiping them on my suit pants does nothing to dry them. It’s a hundred degrees in here, and I have to refrain from reaching for my tie to loosen it.
I was vague about my plans to Noah and Jet, and I reckon they’re under the impression I’m meeting with Damon about Chicago.