Jayme & Tripp (Game Wardens 1)

“Headache?”

“Yes. Horrible one. I already took something, but it hasn’t kicked in yet.” He shuffled over to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup. He fixed it how he liked it, then went to sit down across from Tripp; who was watching him cautiously.

He took a sip of his coffee, then lifted his gaze to meet Tripp’s. “I don’t know what’s going on with me. I’ve never been attracted to a guy before.”

Tripp cocked an eyebrow. “You’re attracted to me?”

He nodded and let his gaze flit over Tripp’s handsome face. Yeah, he was definitely attracted to the guy. Last night when he was touching his chest and stomach, it made his blood run hot. The man was built really nice, all hard, sinewy muscle. Tripp was a couple inches shorter than him, and he couldn’t help but notice how well they fit together last night when he had Tripp pressed against the wall. It was like they were made for each other. Just thinking about last night had his cock growing hard in his shorts.

“What did you want to do about it?” Tripp asked hesitantly.

He sighed. “Nothing. At least not until the divorce is final. I’m technically still married, and I don’t think it’s fair to you or Mallory to start something.”

Tripp nodded. “Okay. What happens after the divorce is final? You want to explore this?”

He frowned. “I don’t know? It could really fuck up a lot of things, like our partnership and our living situation. It may not be worth it if we just plan on fucking around. I’m not looking to get into another relationship, ya know?”

“Sure.”

“Maybe we should just leave it.”

Tripp pursed his lips and nodded. “Okay. Whatever you want.”

Tripp didn’t look like he fully agreed but he wasn’t arguing either.

“Okay.”

“Good talk. I’m gonna go take a shower, then we can run out and grab your truck,” Tripp said and pushed up from the table.

“Yeah, okay.”

Tripp patted him on the shoulder as he walked by to leave the kitchen. Jayme sighed heavily as he watched Tripp’s broad back retreat toward the stairs. Why did he feel like he made a huge mistake in telling Tripp that they should just remain friends and not explore the attraction between them?

CHAPTER FOUR

Jayme

THE NEXT Saturday, Jayme sat in an Adirondack chair in front of the fire pit on his brother, Seamus’s, back patio nursing a beer. Seamus’s boyfriend of two years, Mitch, stood at the grill cooking up some burgers and hot dogs for the family.

Tripp stood off to the left of Mitch, beer in hand as they talked about God knows what. He didn’t even think twice about inviting Tripp to his little family gathering. It seemed like the natural thing to do. They were partners and friends, and he had wanted his family to get to know him; just like they knew Brendan.

His family had taken Tripp in like he was one of their own. He fit right in, unlike Brendan, who was much quieter and more introverted when it came to new people. It took Brendan more time to be comfortable with Jayme’s outgoing family. Not Tripp. Tripp’s outgoing personality blended right in.

“Dude, is something going on with you and Tripp?” Seamus whispered from his seat next to Jayme.

Jayme frowned at his brother and shook his head. “No, why?”

“You haven’t taken your eyes off of him since you got here.” Seamus smiled knowingly.

Jayme sighed and dropped his head back to the chair and closed his eyes. Dammit. “We kissed last week after a night out of drinking. I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Let me guess, you decided to just be friends and forget it happened?”

“Basically.”

“How’s that working out for you?” Seamus snorted.

“Horribly. But, Man, I’ve never been attracted to a guy before. It’s weird.”

“Well, you are now. It’s best to just roll with it. That’s what I did, and look how it worked out for me? I’ve got Mitch.”

He glanced over at Seamus' smiling face. Seamus was totally smitten with his boyfriend, that much he knew.

“I’m thinking about asking him to marry me,” Seamus whispered.

Jayme’s eyes widened. “No shit?”

Seamus nodded, a soft smile on his handsome face. Seamus was the only brother that got away without the red hair. Although, he did get the pasty complexion and all the freckles like Ian. Jayme lucked out there, he had a darker complexion and no freckles.

“Mitch is a good guy, and you are great together. I approve.” he grinned.

“Thanks.” Seamus chuckled. “And Tripp seems like a decent guy. Maybe you should rethink the whole "just friends" thing.”

“I don’t know. What if we fuck around, realize it’s not working; then have to go back to being just friends? We work together, I think it would make it weird.”

“What if you guys are really good together though, and he’s the one?”

“I’m not looking for another relationship. I’m not even divorced yet.”