“Or so he says,” Max deadpanned gruffly.
“Nah. It’s different now. Something shifted tonight. We made progress.”
“Damn. Was kinda hoping I scared him off.”
Scott chuckled a little. “He’s quiet, but not a pussy. You’ll have to do better than that.”
Max lifted a brow. Challenge accepted.
Scott laughed. “Figure of speech, asshole. Don’t even fucking think about it.”
Max scowled halfheartedly and went back to work.
Socket wrench to bolt. Twist—twist—twist—
The room stayed quiet. A little too quiet. Max paused again and turned back to Scott. “I don’t get it. I thought you weren’t interested in dating. And don’t tell me he’s different and nice and shit. A lot of guys fit that description. Why’s he worth the gamble? You used to think that none were. You and me, we used to think alike.”
Scott drew in a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “I dunno, Max. I dunno. I wasn’t planning for this to happen. I was content in my ways. Wasn’t looking for anyone. Hell, for the most part I was dodging them. But…” He shrugged and looked down. “I can’t explain it. He just affects me. In a way I can’t ignore. It’s like… somehow… he got under my skin. And now I don’t ever want him out.”
Max didn’t like the sound of that. Like Scott was setting himself up. “Yeah, well, that’s all fine and dandy, bro, but what if your little bloomer decides he wants to stay on the down-low? What if he decides to never come out?”
“He won’t.”
“You don’t know that,” Max snapped. “Hell, Scott. You barely know him.”
Scott opened his mouth, but Max refused to hear his excuses. “No. All you know is he’s a fucking “late bloomer,” which is a closet until he proves any different.” Geez. Even to Max, his tone sounded caustic. But goddamn it, he didn’t like this shit.
“Max. Just stop it and listen to yourself. You’re talking like closets are intrinsically bad. Like they’re bad fucking people, but they’re not. We don’t know their problems. We don’t know their reasons. Why they’ve decided to keep their personal lives confidential—”
“Like hell, I don’t know!” Max boomed before he could stop himself. “They’re all selfish cowards! Every one of them!”
Scott held his eyes. His expression looked sad. “Max,” he spoke softly. “These people aren’t Kevin… Tad’s not, either. And neither is Sean.”
Max stiffened at the double blow. Scott hadn’t merely said Kevin’s name aloud but added Sean’s to the same fucking sentence. Max’s bane of the past and his vice of the present. How nice of Scott to consolidate so efficiently.
Max scowled, seeing nothing but the error of Scott’s claim. As far as he was concerned, they were all Kevin. “They could be. You don’t know,” he finally muttered, turning back to his task at hand.
“I do know, Max. And I think you do, too. Sean’s a good guy. You like him.”
Max shook his head petulantly. “No. I like fucking him.”
“Bullshit.”
“Fuck off.”
Scott exhaled. “I’m serious. I see the way you look at him. The way you talk to him. Treat him. And after what I witnessed in this very room tonight? I’m more convinced than ever that you’re into him. Those kisses weren’t fake, Max. They were the real fucking deal. Even if you refuse to acknowledge it.”
Max paused with a growl. “Jesus Christ, Scott. Take off the rose-colored glasses. Just because your nose is up Tad’s ass, it doesn’t mean I’m in the same boat with Sean.”
Scott didn’t respond right away, then sighed. “Whatever you say, Max. But something is up. Can you please just level with me about what is going on?”
Max closed his eyes. Scott’s request made him tired. He didn’t want to think about this shit anymore. But in fairness, Scott did just lay it down about Tad, so Max should probably extend the same courtesy. At least about part of it.
“Fine.” Max set down his wrench and frowned. Dragged a hand through his dark auburn locks. “Sean’s a fun guy. We gel really well. But he’s also a pain in my ass.”
“Hmm. A pain in your ass,” Scott mused. “In what way?”
Max scrubbed his face. “I dunno. He just… wants too much. And he’s so goddamn impossible to deter.”
Scott tamped back a chuckle. “Ah. A go-getter.”
“Understatement,” Max grunted.
“But you’re his Dom. You can’t control him? Keep him in check?”
“Oh, I can. And do… Repeatedly.”
Scott did laugh that time. “So he’s a bit high maintenance. Big fucking deal.”
“It’s not a big deal. I’m cool. I can handle him. It’s just… sometimes… I find myself doing stuff… Stuff that I wouldn’t typically do. Like the kissing. I almost always abstain from that shit. But for some reason, with him, I keep doing it.” A frustrated rumble climbed up his throat. “It’s like he’s messing with my head. And that shit really pisses me off.”