Chapter 5
As Gray made his way across the restaurant to the table where his friends were seated, he immediately noticed the tension in Jack’s posture.
He knew from their conversation earlier that day that work had been relatively calm, which meant the cause of Jack’s stress likely was from their friends harassing him about a new set up or about the two of them dating.
Gray’s instinct told him to rush over and save Jack from the conversation, but instead, he stopped a couple of tables away and thought that through.
Jack’s way of dealing with things was slower and gentler than Gray’s.
Where Gray would sharply cut off an unwanted line of questioning, Jack would quietly listen to everyone’s position and then graciously share his own.
It was a more measured approach, but no less effective, and Gray respected Jack too much to intervene and take over.
Deciding to make a detour to the restroom to buy Jack some time, Gray was about to turn around when the sound of his name drifted over from the table and stopped him in his tracks.
“Mister Super isn’t available for a relationship.” That was a voice Gray didn’t recognize. He took a few steps forward.
Kevin turned to his left. “Uh, what now?”
“Gray McClellan. That’s who you guys are talking about, right?”
Gray squinted at the person speaking, but his angle allowed him to see mostly the back of his head and not much more, so he wasn’t able to place him.
“Yeah. How do you know Gray?” asked his friend Eric.
The unknown man stuffed something in his mouth as he answered.
“Met him on Grindr. Hooked up with him a few times. The guy’s super in bed, super hot, and super hung, which is why I came up with the Mister Super nickname.
” He shrugged. “He was also super quiet, so I don’t know much about him, but yeah, that’s what he told me—said he wasn’t available for a relationship.
It was kind of a weird thing to say, which is why I remember it. ”
Gray cringed. Although the man wasn’t familiar, the comment was.
His heart had been owned by one person since before he moved to Seattle, so he wasn’t available for a relationship with anyone else.
He didn’t want to mislead people he slept with, so he was up front about his intentions from the get-go.
While Gray wasn’t ashamed of his sexual history, he didn’t want it described to Jack.
Sure, everyone had a general knowledge about his reputation, but he had never shared details with Jack because he knew they’d eventually be in a relationship, and he hadn’t wanted to plant memories that could make him feel insecure.
“Thanks, Jeffrey. Now that you mentioned it, I remember hearing Gray say the same thing a time or two.” Kevin looked at Jack meaningfully. “That's useful insight; isn’t it, Jack?”
“Not sure it’s very insightful since we all already knew all of that,” Thom said, reaching across the table for a piece of bread.
Eric turned toward his boyfriend and crossed his arms over his chest. “How do you know what Gray’s packing and what he’s like in bed?”
Hand freezing in front of his face, Thom said, “I, uh, assumed because of what that guy said.”
“That guy?”
“Yeah, at the party. I think it was at Kevin’s house, and he came with someone and saw Gray and told us all about the time they hooked up. Remember?”
“Vaguely. You sure seem to have taken it to heart though. And I don’t remember that guy giving details about Gray’s dick.”
“He didn’t, but I’ve been to the gym with him. You have too.”
“Yeah, to exercise. I don’t ogle our friends.”
“Oh, come on, babe.” Thom dropped the bread on his plate and draped his arm around his boyfriend’s shoulders. “It wasn’t like that. He was naked and I saw. That’s all.”
Eric didn’t look impressed.
“You know, now that I think about it, it wasn’t Gray,” Thom backtracked. “I must have misremembered.”
“So you were checking out someone else’s big dick? Is that what you’re saying?”
On the plus side, the conversation was veering away from his past. Unfortunately, Jack’s shoulders were nearly to his ears. If Gray didn’t step in and smooth things over, Jack would end up with a tension headache and an empty stomach because he would be too anxious to eat.
“Hi, guys. Sorry I’m late. Seems like every client has fires on Friday afternoons.”
At the sound of his voice, everyone looked over.
“No worries,” Kevin said. “We only sat down a few minutes ago.”
“Gray, this is Jeffrey.” Eric’s tone was decidedly unfriendly. “Oh, that’s right, you two already know each other. He even has a charming nickname for you that according to Thom is spot on.”
“Jesus, Eric,” Thom said under his breath.
Clearly, something was going on between the two of them that went well beyond the current conversation, but they’d need to work that out when they were alone and at home, not at a restaurant with their friends.
Wanting to add some levity to the situation, Gray smiled at Jeffrey and said, “So I heard.” He reached his hand out.
“Mister Super in Bed, Super Hot, and Super Hung is a bit of a mouthful, how about you call me Gray instead?”
Kevin laughed so hard he started coughing and even Eric giggled. “Apparently it’s more than a mouthful.”
“Hi, Gray.” Poor Jeffrey looked like he had developed a sudden sunburn. “It’s, uh, nice to see you again.”
“You too,” Gray said as he looked away. He didn't want to be impolite, but he barely remembered the guy and he was worried about Jack. “Hey, beautiful,” he said softly as he curled his hand around Jack’s nape.
He bent down and kissed his cheek. “How was the rest of your day?” Keeping his hand in place in order to maintain their connection, he pulled out the empty chair beside Jack and sat down. “You okay?” he whispered.
Jack dipped his chin in a tiny nod.
“Good.” His attention on Jack’s face, Gray moved his fingertips up into his hairline, knowing how much he enjoyed having his neck massaged.
“Hey, Jack, can I borrow your Chapstick? My lips are dry.”
Jack blinked at Thom. “Sorry, I don’t have any.”
“Oh.” Thom looked surprised. “Your lips are shiny so I assumed.” He leaned forward. “Maybe you licked them.”
Furrowing his brow in confusion, Jack rubbed his lips together. “That’s grease. I didn’t have time for breakfast, I worked through lunch, and I didn’t know how long we’d be waiting for food, so I ate a bag of potato chips on the way here.” He pushed his seat away from the table and started rising.
“Where are you going?” Gray asked.
“Rock bottom. Need me to get anything for you while I’m there?”
Grinning, Gray wove his fingers with Jack’s and gave a gentle tug. “Sit back down.”
Jack lowered himself onto his chair, leaned toward Gray, and quietly said, “Are you sure you don’t want me to give you space so you can get reacquainted with your old friend Jeffrey? He’s taller, tanner, and not at all greasy.”
“Come on, Jack.” Gray moved his mouth to Jack’s ear, kissed his lobe, and whispered, “You know I only have eyes for you.”
“Is that right?” Jack crossed his arms over his chest.
A shiver ran through Gray’s body. “God,” he rasped. “This jealousy thing is really working for me.”
“What?”
“You’re jealous over me.” Gray rubbed his lips against Jack’s neck. “I’m into it.”
“I don’t…” Jack lowered his arms and tilted his head to the side. “Seriously?”
“Definitely.” Gray kissed his chin.
“So you two really are dating?” asked Eric.
“We really are.” Gray didn’t move his gaze away from Jack’s face. “I won the boyfriend lottery.”
Jack dropped his gaze to the table and his cheeks reddened, but he was smiling so Gray knew he was enjoying the flirtation, like always.
“Well strike up the band and play ‘Who Would Have Thunk It,’” said Eric. “Gray’s being mushy over a guy.”
“Huh,” said Thom. “I didn’t see this coming.”
“That’s hard to understand considering how long I’ve been chasing him. If you keep listening to me talk and then disregard everything I say, you’ll need to sign my engagement letter and pay my hourly fee.”
Thom snorted a laugh. “We’re not your clients, Gray.”
“Oh no, they’ve devolved into lawyer humor,” Eric said. “Someone, quick, distract them.”
“Thom, why don't you share more details about Gray’s dick?” Kevin suggested. “I can’t be the only one who’s interested.”
“Kevin!”
“What? You asked for a distraction. A big cock is a surefire way to get the job done.”
“True that,” said Jeffrey.
Turning toward Jack, Gray said, “Maybe we should find new friends.”
“Or you can keep your underwear on in public,” Jack hissed. “I’ve never had any problem doing that.”
Gray smiled and put his hand on Jack’s thigh.
“Why are you grinning like the Cheshire Cat?”
“I already told you. I’m enjoying this whole possessive thing you’ve got going on.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not normal.”
Gray shrugged and picked up his menu. “Normal is overrated.” He read through the entrée options.
“They have Chilean sea bass with roasted vegetables,” Jack said. “That’s right up your alley.”
“Sounds good. On my way in, I walked by a table that was being served rib eye. It smelled wonderful.”
“That’s what I’ll get.” Jack put his hand on top of Gray’s and squeezed. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I was stressed and then you got here and now I’m happy.” He threaded his fingers with Gray’s. “You’re great at making that happen.”
“It’s in the boyfriend job description,” Gray said, mostly because he enjoyed hearing himself referred to as Jack’s boyfriend, even if he was the one speaking.
His expression slightly mischievous, Jack repeated a version of what Jeffrey had said when Gray was approaching the table, “I’m glad you were available for the job.”
“I’ve spent years holding out for my dream role.” Gray winked. “I’m glad you finally agreed to give it to me.”