“What?” Linc legit sputtered the word, and his knees wobbled. What the fuck had Garrick heard? Who had talked? Or worse seen? His mind raced, trying to think of a response that might do some damage control.
“I take it that’s a no.” Garrick laughed. Fucking laughed. Like this was no big deal. “Apparently, McKenna and Kelley have been hooking up on the sly. And so since apparently that’s the thing to do—”
“What?” This time Linc had to blink. This wasn’t about him and Jacob? Just idle gossip?
“Yeah. That was pretty much my reaction too. But they must have hooked up the night of Jacob’s birthday party. And kept going. Anyway that’s not what I wanted to talk about.”
“It’s not?” Damn. His pulse sped up.
“No. I’ve been thinking... If Sims and Alder let McKenna and Kelley get away with it, maybe I might see what the rook is up for. After the season of course. Because I’m not looking for that much trouble.”
“You want to do what?” Linc swallowed hard. Garrick wanted to date Jacob?
“Life is short. He’s out. And it’s been less of an issue than I would have predicted. Doesn’t hurt that he’s damn good at the job. Even if he is stubborn.”
“And that makes you want to hook up? With him?”
“You don’t have to look so shocked. You know I’m pan. He’s hot. Which you can’t claim not to know. Which brings me back around to why I’m even having this conversation with you. Wanted to make sure I’m not encroaching on any...plans you might have in that area.”
“I don’t have plans,” Linc said reflexively as his mind spun. Since when was Jacob being hot the answer to Garrick’s boredom or whatever the hell this was? His fist tightened, gut roiling at the notion of Jacob as a convenient good time.
“Great. I mean, you guys have been dancing around each other for years. I can’t be the only one who’s noticed that. And you can’t tell me you’re blind to it yourself. But lately you guys seem more like friends.”
A strangled laugh escaped Linc’s mouth. Friends. He might not have plans, but he for damn sure knew they weren’t friends.
“Oh, fuck. Are you guys...?” Garrick’s eyes went wide.
“No.” The harsh denial was out even before Garrick finished the question. His already agitated stomach burned now, a caustic pit of guilt and shame. This was Garrick, whom he’d known for years now, almost as long as Wyatt, and had trusted him with his life more than a few times. If anyone deserved his truth, it was Garrick. But he couldn’t confess. Not now. And truth was, he’d be gone come fall. If Garrick and Jacob wanted to hook up... God, he couldn’t even form the thought without bile rising in his throat.
“Well, okay then.” Garrick’s head tilted, expression saying he didn’t quite believe Linc. “So okay if I sniff around?”
“I—”
“Sims wants to see us.”
He whirled around, and oh, holy fuck. Jacob was right there behind Linc. And judging by his winter-storm eyes and pursed mouth, he’d clearly heard more than he should.
“Jacob—” He reached for his arm but Jacob shook him off.
“Save it. We’ve got a job to do.” Jacob pushed by both of them, disgust rolling off him in toxic waves that almost choked Linc.
“Well, now. This is a mess.” Garrick shook his head, but before Linc could speak, Sims called down the hall at all three of them.
Probably just as well. He didn’t know how he’d planned to try to explain something he had no good answers for, what he could say to Garrick that might correct whatever conclusions he’d jumped to. And fuck, what a mess was right. Honestly, though, he was less concerned about Garrick and more about catching Jacob, trying...
Trying what? To make this right? Or was this where they ended? Line in the sand, their heat finally extinguished, this time for good by Linc’s own stupidity. Fuck. Doing the right thing for Jacob might damn well kill him.
* * *
Somehow Jacob got through his shift without having to talk with Linc or Garrick beyond the bare minimum necessary to do the work. With Linc, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement that they were having it out after work in private. And with Garrick...who the fuck knew? He hadn’t overheard his whole conversation with Linc, but he’d heard enough. Enough to be beyond pissed with both them. Far too angry to stop and marvel at the revelation that apparently Garrick was pan and not opposed to banging him. Which might be flattering if it wasn’t comical. Garrick was too tall. Too much of the sort of dude-bro top Jacob usually steered clear of. Too casual, nothing ever serious. Too not Linc.
Mainly that. Garrick wasn’t Linc, wasn’t ever going to be, and so his interest was more funny than anything else. All these years of not finding much in this town and now the only opportunity he truly wanted was the one he wasn’t supposed to have. With the dude who didn’t even care enough to speak up for him, who couldn’t even admit for a second that what they had was significant, worth fighting for. Hell, he couldn’t even admit that they’d been seeing each other at all, even casually, or even suggest that he might be interested in Jacob in that way. Nope. Only a flat denial of every damn one of Jacob’s hopes.