I Survived Seattle by J.K. Hogan

Author:J.K. Hogan [Hogan, J.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Gay Mainstream
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Published: 2014-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The next morning, Justice’s phone rang just as he was stepping out of the shower. He hastily pulled on some briefs and hung his towel around his neck before hitting answer, even though he didn’t recognize the number.

“Hello?”

“Hey, man.”

“Rory? Who’s number is this?”

“Oh, this is the landline at our new house.”

“Okay. What’s up?” Justice asked. His friend definitely sounded…off.

“So, I thought it over, like you said. But I’m not going to have a best man if it’s not you.”

Ouch. Justice rubbed at the worry line that formed between his brows. So much for the post-orgasmic bliss from his date yesterday. “Rory…”

“I’m not doing this to guilt-trip you, I promise. It’s just that…I mean, you can’t do it, and I understand. I won’t try and make you. But I can’t stand the idea of having someone in your place. You’re my person.”

Justice snorted and rolled his eyes. “How very Grey’s Anatomy of you.” He heard a shaky laugh in return. “If that’s what you want, I’ll support you on it. And I’ll be there, just not, you know, there there.”

“I hear ya. Thanks, man.”

“Hang in there,” Justice said, because the guy sounded just a bit too fragile. “See you at the dinner thing tonight?”

“Sure thing. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Justice stared at the phone for a moment after the call ended. Again, he wondered what was going on with his best friend. Was it just wedding jitters? Or something worse?

Suddenly Lara burst into his room without knocking, uncaring that he was in nothing but his briefs. Lucky for her, he’d actually decided to wear some that day. She looked him up and down, raising her eyebrows at his bruised knees.

“Jesus, get some knee pads next time, Princess! Who the hell were you blowing?”

“Nic Valentine,” Justice muttered as he refolded some of the clothes in his drawers. As soon as he realized what he said, his entire body went still; he just froze. He wanted to call it a Freudian slip, but if he was honest with himself, he really wanted at least one person to talk to about this stuff, besides the guy he was actually sleeping with.

“What did you say?” she asked quietly.

Justice raised his head and met her astonished gaze head on. No turning back now. “I said, Nic Valentine.”

“Nic Valentine, as in Captain Nic from the boat?”

“That’s correct.”

“Oh, my damn…Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

Clearly, she expected him to elaborate in some way, but Justice had been hiding too long for the words to come easy. Except with Nic. He just leveled his stare and waited her out.

“So what, you’re gay now? Since when?”

“Since always, Lara.”

“Holy shitballs,” she said, close to hyperventilating as she sank down on his bed. “I need a fucking drink.”

“Christ, you and me both.” Justice sat down beside her and nudged her with his shoulder. “You mad?”

“Oh, of course I’m mad, you idiot. Once again, I’m the last to know.”

Justice laughed, and the sound was hollow and brittle. “Sweetheart, you’re the first to know —besides the guys I’ve hooked up with.

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