Hat Trick (Fake Boyfriend 5)

Once I got my breathing under control again, I climbed out of bed and went in search of my clothes. They had kinda gotten thrown all over the place in the rush to get rid of them.

I found my boxer briefs and jeans but only one sock and no shoes or shirt. Soren watched me search with a lazy smile on his face.

“Can I see you again?” he asked.

“Umm, sure.” I should’ve said no, I knew that, but I couldn’t. My mouth, brain, and cock wouldn’t let me. I got on my knees and found my shoes under the bed, and when I stood upright again, Soren was staring at me as if he was expecting me to give more information—like when. “My band just got signed to a record label, so we need to fly to L.A. to record the song you love so much and talk albums and tours, but I think I’ll be back in a few weeks.”

His face lit up. “That’s amazing, Jet. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

Soren frowned at my nonchalance. “You don’t sound excited. Isn’t this every musician’s dream?”

Yeah, it was, and I hated I couldn’t get excited over it. “Yes and no. We got a contract, but it comes with stipulations.”

“Like what?”

Before I could answer, Soren’s phone buzzed on his nightstand. He reached for it and clearly wasn’t happy about whoever was calling. His finger paused on the answer button, and then he glanced at me.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“It’s my ex. We broke up because I wasn’t out.”

“Ah. And now that you are, he wants you back.”

Soren pursed his lips. “Maybe. I’ve been trying to call him since I came out, but he’s been ignoring me.”

“Answer it.”

His gaze flicked to mine. “What?”

“I mean, if you ask me, going back to an ex is never a good idea because you broke up for a reason, right? But you’ve been trying to call him, so it’s clear you’re not done with him.”

Soren sighed. “I thought he was my hat trick.”

“Hat trick?”

“The perfect package. Everything I want in a partner. Hot, sweet, smart enough to hold a real conversation.”

If he was looking for someone with brains, I was shit out of luck.

The phone finally stopped ringing.

“Call him back,” I say, my voice soft.

“What about …” He waved a finger in between us.

Did I want more of Soren? Hell yes. But I also knew there was no future here.

I rounded the bed and leaned in. His lips were warm, and I had to force myself to pull back and make our last kiss sweet. “If things don’t work out with what’s-his-face, then totally call me, but don’t let a one-night stand get in the way of reconnecting with your … hat trick.”

Soren’s mouth dropped open, but before he could say anything, my phone buzzed.

“My turn. Although I doubt mine is as exciting as an ex calling.” Mainly because I didn’t have an ex. I slumped at my brother’s name on my screen. “Nope. Just Matt wondering where I am.”

“Matt?” Soren asked.

“Yeah. My keeper,” I joked.

“Your keeper?”

“Matt Jackson’s my brother. I thought you knew that?”

From the freaked-out look in Soren’s eyes, it was clear he hadn’t known. And a second after the revelation, he switched from one-night stand to someone who stared at me the same way Lennon and Ollie and all of Matt’s friends did—like I was a fucking kid.

Even if an ex wasn’t involved, with that one look, this thing was over.

Defeated, I gave up my hunt for my other sock, grabbed my shirt by my feet, and made my way to the door.

“Thanks for the fun.” I left Soren staring after me with his stupid expression.

Chapter Five

Soren

The night-time breeze in Fiji picks up and has a cold bite to it now, but it’s still not as cold as Jet’s glare. Even though I can barely see him because the only light is coming from tiki torches lining the pathways and a light from inside Jet’s cabin, I know the stare he’s giving me is full of annoyance.

“Why are you even here?”

I run a hand through my hair. “I’ve been asking myself the same thing. Coming to an all couples retreat as a single kinda sucks.”

Jet laughs. “I bet, but I actually meant here. Like, in this spot, dredging up old shit that doesn’t need revisiting.”

My gaze rakes over him because I don’t know how to answer that. He’s thinner than the last time I saw him, and even though he looks exhausted, he’s still one of the most stunningly attractive men I’ve ever seen.

“You look good, Jet. I just wanted to say that.” Lamest excuse ever.

“Liar. I look fucking tired.”

“Why are you here?” I ask.

“Nodes.”

“Liar.” I throw his own word back at him.

“Needed a break from touring. Matt and Noah had been bugging me about trying to make it out here, so I made it happen.”