“I’m going to head to bed,” he said and pushed to his feet.
“Really? It’s only eight-thirty,” Tripp replied with a frown.
“I’m beat.”
“Okay, then. See you in the morning.”
“Night.”
“Goodnight.”
He climbed into bed, his thoughts muddled. He didn’t understand this reaction to Tripp that he was having. It was almost like how he felt when he first met Mallory, and the nervous flutters he got when he was near her. He liked Tripp. He thought that they could become real good friends. Maybe that’s what it was, just the feeling of someone new coming into his life? Whatever it was, he’d deal with it and everything would be fine.
~~~
Jayme
“How are things going with your rookie?” Brendan asked after thanking the bartender for his beer.
Jayme sat next to him with his own beer. It’s been a while since they’ve hung out outside of work. They were waiting for Tripp and Will to arrive. They thought maybe getting together with the rookies would help them bond a little bit. It had been a full month since they’d been re-partnered.
Jayme took a sip of his beer then said, “It’s going good. He’s a good guy, fast learner, knows his shit. He’s got experience in law enforcement, so that helps.”
“And you’re living with him?”
“Yeah, he had an extra room, needed the rent. I needed a place to stay, so...”
“And that’s working out well?” Brendan asked curiously.
“Yeah, we get along pretty well, why?”
“It’s nothing. I just...I heard your boy is gay...”
“Yeah, he is. So?”
“I just didn’t know if that was a problem for you living with the guy.”
Jayme frowned at his friend. “No. Why would it be? My brother Seamus is bi, remember?”
“Oh yeah. I forgot about that.”
“What’s going on?” he asked, knowing there had to be more than Brendan was letting on.
“There’s a rumor going around the station.” Brendan pursed his lips and shook his head slightly. “Saying that you and the new kid are bangin’.”
He barked out a laugh. “Well, that was fast.”
Brendan looked at him. “Are you?” he asked seriously.
Jayme gave him an incredulous look. “Am I? I just filed for divorce from my wife three days ago, and you think I’m fucking around with a guy?”
Brendan shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I’m not.”
“Okay.”
“How are things with Will?” Jayme asked, needing to change the subject. He couldn’t believe people were saying him and Tripp were fucking around. It wasn't like they were touchy feely or anything. People loved to talk shit.
“Fine. He’s a little dense sometimes, but he’s getting there,” Brendan said.
“That’s good.”
“How long will it take for the divorce to be finalized?”
“Sixty days.”
“Ugh. Seems like forever, huh?”
“Yeah. I’ll be happy when it’s over.”
“It’s gonna be weird being single again.”
“It’s already weird. I know I’m technically still married, but I’m single.”
“Well, if you’re going to pick up any chicks, you might want to get rid of your wedding band.” Brendan offered with a smirk and a pointed look at Jayme’s left hand.
“Oh shit. I forgot I was wearing it.” He slipped the ring from his finger and stuffed it in the front pocket of his jeans. “I’m gonna have to relearn how to flirt. Been outta the game for six years.”
“That’s right, I forgot you guys were together for four years before getting married.”
Jayme nodded then took a swig of beer. Yep, all those years wasted. She lied to him for six years, then thought she could change his mind just because they were married. He shook his head. He should have listened to his mom when she said something wasn’t right. Oh well, he couldn’t change it now. What’s done is done. He had to move forward.
Strong hands clasped his shoulders and squeezed, bringing him out of his thoughts. “Hey, Jayme,” Tripp said from behind him.
Jayme had to fight the urge to moan as Tripp’s thumbs dug into the tense muscles at the base of his neck. He hung his head and let Tripp kneed at the muscles there. “Damn, Dude, you are seriously tense.” Tripp chuckled.
“We were just talking about his divorce.” Brendan offered.
“Ahh, gotcha,” Tripp said as if it all made sense now and continued to rub his shoulders.
Jayme was surprised at how much he enjoyed Tripp’s hands on him. The bartender stopped in front of them and Tripp clapped him on the shoulder, then moved to his left so that he could order a beer. Tripp slipped onto the stool, his knee brushing against Jayme’s. His stomach bottomed out, as if he were on a wooden roller coaster going over those rabbit hills. He glanced to his right to find Brendan watching him with a cocked eyebrow. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Asshole. There was nothing going on between them. They were just friends. There was nothing sexual about it.
Will showed up a few minutes later and they decided to move to a table. Tripp took the chair to his left again and Brendan sat to his right, which put Will across from him at the four-seater table. They talked, drank, and laughed. Jayme and Brendan recalled a few funny stories from their time as partners that had Tripp and Will laughing hysterically.