Torch (Unbreakable Bonds 3)

“Why do you think something is wrong?”

“Because you have a friend staying with you and you’re over here. And from your expression, you’re either upset or seriously constipated. Sit.”

Rowe kicked off his shoes and sank into the soft gray couch. He chuckled over Snow’s description, remembering when he’d used the exact same phrase with Noah at IHOP. Now that he was here, he didn’t know what to say, how much to share. He stared at Snow, who stared steadily back with light blue eyes. He couldn’t miss the worry Snow didn’t bother to hide. It was the way his friends had been looking at him for nine months and he didn’t blame them. His heart ached for the comfortable comradery he’d shared with them for most of his adult life. Around seventeen years of friendship with only a few of those away from them. The three he’d spent with Noah. And Noah was sitting back at his house feeling pain that Rowe had caused.

He picked at the label on his beer. He was shit.

“Why do I get the feeling I should be pulling down the harder stuff for this?”

Nodding slowly, Rowe set the beer on the coffee table. “You probably should.”

Snow sat up straight. “Seriously? What’s wrong? Was there another fire?”

“No. I mean, yeah, there was. But that’s not why I’m here.”

“There was another fire?”

“At the Lyntons’ place. Andrei was there checking last-minute security for a party they were supposed to have.”

“I hadn’t heard. I’ve been pulling extra shifts and had to miss their party.” Snow grimaced. “Lucas let him out of the house since?”

“Lucky for me, Lucas is out of town for a couple of days. But he needs to loosen the reins a bit on my COO. Can’t imagine putting up with that bullshit.”

“COO?”

Nodding, he picked his beer back up. “Yeah, he did a great job the last few months while I’ve been—” He cleared his throat. “Well, you know what I’ve been.”

Snow nodded.

Rowe jerked in surprise when the kitten suddenly plastered itself on his jeans and started to climb. “Holy hell, its tiny claws are like needles!”

“He’s not big enough to jump that high yet. We’re all potential ladders.”

Rowe pulled the animal off his leg and sat it on the couch between them. It sniffed at his hand a couple of moments before trotting over to Snow to paw at the hand he had resting on his thigh. He watched, surprised as Snow played with it. “You are truly and thoroughly domesticated. It’s disgusting.”

“Told you to shut up.” Snow winced and pulled his hand away from the kitten.

“You’re happy, Snow. Really happy. It’s nice.”

Snow gave him a long, steady look, concern pinching the corners of his mouth. “It is.”

“I’m glad, Doc.” He looked down at his beer. “So, I’ve been sleeping with Noah.” He peeked at his friend to find him staring with his jaw hanging loose.

Snow slowly set his beer on a coaster on his coffee table. He nearly missed it because he hadn’t looked away from Rowe. Without a word, he got up and left the room. There were rummaging noises in the kitchen and when he returned, he held a plate with a knife and a lime. He snagged a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses on the way.

Rowe opened his mouth but Snow held up his hand. “Just…wait.” As he cut the lime into wedges, he shook his head. “Just fucking dropped that out of your mouth, you ass. I knew. I knew!” He stopped and pointed his finger.

“You knew what?”

“I knew you had interest. I’ve seen it. Plus all the gay porn.”

“Hey now, no judgement, remember? Besides, what was all that bullshit you spouted about what turns us on versus action or something like that? More crap that just falls out of your mouth?”

“That stuff was true, yeah, but according to Melissa, you bought the movies and even signed up for an online subscription, too. That’s different.”

“You’re so full of shit. And she told you that?” He knew that Snow and Melissa had been close. Hell, she’d been close to Ian, too. They probably missed her nearly as much as he did and if the harsh slash of Snow’s lips said anything, he was thinking about her now. “So now you’re saying that straight men can’t enjoy gay porn?”

Snow closed his eyes a moment. “No. Shit…Ward, the world is not so fucking black and white and you know it. Everyone has their thing. Look at me. I spent most of my adult life mired in some kinky shit and now—”

“Now you’re all vanilla and boring.”

He snorted. “Yeah, no. Vanilla we are not. And there is nothing boring about sex with Jude.” He pointed the knife at Rowe. “Don’t distract me. I want to know what exactly is going on and why you look so upset about it.” He set the knife down and handed Rowe a lime and a shot glass of alcohol. “I have the weekend off and you’re going to take tomorrow off now. So drink up.”