“How’s it going?” Tripp asked him.
He debated on telling Tripp about the divorce. They have been kinda becoming friends over the past week and a half, so he figured what could it hurt?
“I asked my wife for a divorce this morning,” he said, his voice low and flat. He didn’t bother looking at Tripp. He didn’t want to see the sympathy he was sure was in the guy’s eyes.
“Shit man, I’m sorry to hear that. I guess it’s for the best though, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you...are you looking for a place to live? I have a spare room that I’m looking to rent out if you’re interested,” Tripp said hesitantly, as if he wasn’t sure Jayme would appreciate the offer.
Jayme turned to look at him, eyebrow raised. “I am actually.”
“I have a house and the bills are starting to creep up on me. I need a roommate. It’s yours if you want it,” Tripp said casually with a shrug of his shoulder.
Jayme watched him for a moment. Did he want to live with his partner? They got along okay. If anything, it would make them better partners and friends.
He nodded, decision made. “I’m going to take you up on that, Tripp. Thanks.”
Tripp grinned wide, those dimples of his deepening. Jayme’s stomach fluttered for some odd reason. “Great! The room is ready whenever you are.”
“You busy after this? I could use some help packing up a few things,” he asked.
“I’m all yours, Man.” Tripp nodded.
After they finished their work out, Tripp followed Jayme to his house. Luckily, Mallory wasn’t home. Jayme went into the garage to grab a couple boxes they could put stuff in. He was mostly going to be taking his clothes and shoes, but there were a couple of other things that were his that he wanted. Like his guns and fishing rods. There were also some books and photo albums that were his. He was also going to take the TV from the bedroom since he actually bought that before they were married.
They worked in relative silence. He mostly directed Tripp on what to put in the boxes. When they were done, they loaded up the boxes, rifle cases and fishing rods into his work truck. He was going to have to come back for his other truck after they dropped this stuff off at Tripp’s.
Tripp led the way to his house, which wasn’t too far from Jayme’s. It was in the same town, just a different development. They pulled into the driveway and each grabbed a box to bring in with them. Tripp unlocked the door to the two-story house and walked in.
It opened into a living room on the left and an office on the right. The stairs were against the right wall after the office doorway. Past the living room was a wide-open kitchen with a breakfast bar separating the two spaces. It was neat and clean, and he liked it.
Tripp turned to him and the expression on his face had him frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s something I should tell you and I hope it doesn’t change anything, but I can’t not tell you and have you find out later, and realize it’s a problem,” Tripp said, biting the corner of his bottom lip in worry.
“Okay?”
“I’m gay.”
He blinked at Tripp. He had no idea. Was he surprised? Yeah. Did it change anything? He didn’t think so. Could he live with a gay guy? Sure, why not?
“I mean, I understand if you change your mind about living here...” Tripp rushed to say.
“No. No, it’s fine. I don’t mind. It’s no big deal,” he interrupted. “I’m just a little surprised. I never would have guessed.”
Tripp smiled brightly. “Yeah, I know. I don’t really project a gay vibe. I get that all the time.”
“You’re not gonna come onto me now, are you?” He grinned crookedly, trying to make light of the situation.
“Not unless you want me to,” Tripp said with a sultry smile and a wink that actually had his heart racing.
Jesus, what was it with this guy that had him having these weird reactions? Yeah, Tripp was an attractive guy, but he had never been attracted to a man before. Was he attracted to Tripp? Is that what it was? Nah. Couldn’t be. Then why was he getting butterflies in his stomach whenever the guy smiled? Fuck, if he knew. It was an odd reaction. It didn’t mean a damn thing.
“Come on. I’ll show you to your room,” Tripp said, bringing him out of his thoughts.
He followed Tripp upstairs. Tripp showed him where the bathroom and laundry room was, then showed him, his room, which was across the hall from Tripp’s room. The bathroom in the hall would be his, since Tripp had an ensuite bathroom in his room. They piled his stuff in the corner, then went back to get the rest out of the truck. After they were done, they went down to the kitchen where Tripp went to the fridge and pulled out a couple of beers for them. Tripp cracked one open and handed it to him.