Chapter Two
Throughout dinner, Jathan talked too much.
To be fair, he didn’t get to talk to people often, except his mom—who he talked to every day.
Also, to be honest, he was a talker. He had definitely gotten into trouble every day at school because he couldn’t be quiet.
Not only did Quince seem unbothered, but he also came home with Jathan.
They climbed from Jathan’s Hummer in his garage.
His car collection sat on one side of the building while his pottery studio was on the other.
It had expanded significantly. He had recently bought twice the equipment and supplies so he could teach Artem.
It was nice having someone to share his hobbies with.
Quince nodded toward a nearby sports car. “There’s no way you can drive that at your height.”
Jathan headed for his Bugatti Chiron. “I just fit, but I can. The passenger seat gives a hair more room. But I think, since you’re maybe two inches shorter than me, my seat settings would work even better for you.” He opened the driver’s side door.
Quince took off his cowboy hat and looked inside. Jathan couldn’t look at anything but him. “This is gorgeous. Tip has all the money, but he’s not a big car-collecting type of guy. He’s addicted to buying land.”
“Yeah, he’s smarter than me. He’s actually making an investment.” Jathan never hesitated to be honest about himself. He had spoiled himself for a little while. Jathan had calmed down in the last few years. He understood his money had to last him for the rest of his life.
“Climb in. The getting out is the hardest part.”
Quince looked nervous. “Nah. My boots always have some mud somewhere on them. I don’t want to get your car dirty.”
Jathan shook his head. “I’m not worried about that. What’s the point of owning a car if you don’t enjoy it? Come on.” He motioned again toward the driver’s side. Jathan circled the car and climbed into the passenger seat. He settled in to wait.
Finally, Quince eased behind the wheel. “Damn. There really is more room than it seems. I think if you were two inches taller, it’d be impossible for you to drive.”
“Agreed. Shut the door. Let’s go for a ride.”
Quince’s panicked gaze shot his way. “No way in hell I’m driving a three-million-dollar car. I don’t even know what that kind of money looks like.”
“Actually, this version is ten million, but it’s cool. Come on. It’s insured. You can drive like a granny, if you want. You know you want to.” Jathan used his best cajoling voice.
Quince stared straight ahead for a moment.
Jathan held his breath.
Quince shut his door.
With a hyena-sounding laugh, Jathan strapped in before showing Quince how to do the same.
Quince glanced in the mirror and then looked behind him. “How do you open the garage?”
“Just start inching back. It’ll open.”
Quince did as instructed. He looked nervous as hell.
Jathan’s eyes refused to budge from him.
He forced them away. Quince was already uncomfortable.
Jathan didn’t want to make it worse. Quince genuinely drove like an elderly person for one spin around the block before returning to the garage.
The door opened automatically again as they approached.
When Quince killed the engine, he released a breath so hard, Jathan wondered if he had been holding the air in his lungs the entire time.
“Whee!”
At Jathan’s unexpected squeal of delight, Quince burst out laughing. His eyes swam with happiness. “You’re one of a kind. You know that, right?”
Quince’s claim had a pain stabbing Jathan right in the chest. He liked Quince too much. He was already getting too attached for having no idea if Quince would want to do this again.
“Same. Do you want to drive any of the rest of these cars?”
Quince didn’t even look. He pulled a pitiful face. “Please don’t ever make me do that again.”
“Don’t worry. I promise I’ll never hit you with peer pressure again.” With a laugh, Jathan jumped from the car. “Come on. Let’s see what else we can play with.” Jathan bit his bottom lip as he headed for the door. He was having the greatest time. Quince had to stay.
Quince drove home, smiling. He couldn’t force the grin away. The night had been the most fun he’d had in years. A notification popped up on the dashboard’s infotainment system. The flash caught his eyes.
“Siri, read the last text to me.”
“Carey says, do you want to play? Smiley face. Wink. Do you want to respond?”
His mood immediately crashed. “No.” The night had been so damn good. Another flash had Quince ready to leap from the vehicle and end it all.
“Siri, read the last text to me.”
“Carey says you’re not still angry, are you? You know we have a good time. Would you like to respond?”
“Yes. Go fuck yourself.”
“You said, go fuck yourself. Send it?”
“Yes.”
“Done.”
The flash struck again. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Siri, read the last text to me.”
“Jathan says, I had a nice time. Maybe we could do it again sometime. Would you like to respond?”
A smile exploded across his face. “Yes. Tonight was a blast. Just say when and where and I’m there.”
“You said, tonight was a blast. Just say when and where and I’m there. Send it?”
“Yes.”
“Done.”
The music resumed. It was an old love song Quince had always loved.
He turned the sound up and sang along. His mood was officially restored after Jathan’s text.
The drive out to the ranch was nothing but quiet.
The darkness was only broken by Quince’s presence.
He felt at peace in a way he hadn’t in a long time.
The way he felt since walking away from Carey made him realize how much he wasn’t cut out for relationships.
He hated lying and drama. Quince couldn’t stand the head games and questioning every little word and action.
He was better off alone. Obviously, he would miss the sex.
But he didn’t yet, and the headache he avoided without it was worth every unquenched desire.
Having a new friend was better. Quince chuckled.
He didn’t even care he was alone. Quince laughed aloud.
He was horrified every time he thought about the way he had creeped around that block like a teen driving for the first time.
Jathan hadn’t once made fun of him the way every other guy he knew would have done.
Quince laughed harder as he pictured Jathan, eyes swimming with humor while squealing, “Whee!” Quince swiped his eyes.
God. The guy was unintentionally hilarious. It had been a nice night.
When Jathan had dropped Quince back at his truck, he had given Quince a hug.
That had been nice too. He missed those kinds of friendships.
Before walking away from everything twelve years ago, Quince had several friends he hung out with on the weekends—guys he could call if he needed a hand working on his truck or something.
Now he lived out in the middle of nowhere and had no one.
He had gotten used to doing things like going to basketball games alone.
Fuck. That ticket tonight had been a goddamn fortune.
A playoff game just rows from the court.
That had been a huge score, but it cost him way more than he would ever admit.
Right now, it looked like the best purchase he had made in a long time.
Never in a million years had he expected Jathan would spot him and pull him from the crowd.
Damn. He was a great guy. It was no wonder Artem always made time for him.
Of course, considering how out of this world Artem was, he shouldn’t have been surprised by Jathan.
All it took to judge a man’s character was to take a look at his friends.
Like always found like. Quince wished he had heeded that advice more in his younger years.
His house came into view. A wave of unexpected exhaustion hit.
It had been a long day with too much adrenaline.
Maybe he should jump online and see if there was any chance of landing a ticket to the next game.
Damn. It would be in Arlington on their court.
Maybe the game after that, then. He hoped like hell the Fireballs went all the way this year.
The team had been close now for several years.
Jathan deserved to win that championship title again. He was incredible on the court.
Quince tossed his keys on the coffee table.
He grabbed a drink from the fridge. After downing his water, he headed for the bathroom.
He needed a shower. Tomorrow morning would come early.
Unfortunately, this ranch didn’t run itself.
The guys were all pretty good about knowing their roles for the day, but if he slacked, they would.
Plus, he needed to check all the fencing.
They had a sheep a neighbor had brought back three times now.
Quince had to figure out how in the hell it kept getting out.
He got the shower going and stripped. From nowhere, Quince caught himself eyeing his body.
He didn’t think he looked too bad for forty.
Other than a few scars here and there—some worse than others—he had held up well.
Not that it mattered. Quince stepped beneath the water.
He was done with anything even vaguely resembling a relationship.
That meant one-night stands too. No one ever really meant one night, and he was tired.
Quince turned his face up and let the hot water run through his hair.
He grabbed the shampoo and lathered it through, massaging his scalp.
With his eyes closed, his body betrayed him.
The water streaming down his skin made itself known.
He became hyperaware of every inch of his skin.
His cock hardened. Quince took a breath.
He tried not to think about anything the least bit sexual.
It didn’t help. Apparently, his body was just determined tonight.
With an aggravated sigh, Quince palmed his erection.
He kept his eyes closed as he stroked. Ruthlessly, he kept his mind blank.
He didn’t want anyone sneaking in and making him doubt his ability to stay single.
His lips parted as pressure climbed up his shaft.
He was close. Quince didn’t need anyone.
He could blow right here and be done with this bullshit.
The closer he came to orgasm, the dirtier his mind turned.
It was out of his control. Images rolled through his mind.
He tried focusing on celebrities or random faces he had seen in his dreams. Pleasure pressed against his crown, begging to be set free.
Quince stroked faster. His ragged breathing filled the shower.
The person on their knees in his mind transformed.
Quince stared down at Jathan, looking like a man who loved sucking cock.
He blew so hard and fast, his knees nearly buckled.
Quince whined as he stroked his way through the waves. Then the world snapped back into focus.
Quince stared at the shower wall. He fought to keep his mind quiet.
Quince was scared to think. Why had that happened?
He felt a little sick. What was wrong with him?
Why had things been so goddamn weird lately?
Maybe he was going through a mid-life crisis.
That had to be it. Quince had done a lot of wild things in his life, but he had never really wanted a dude.
He practically felt his dad rolling over in his grave and the man wasn’t even dead yet.
Not since he was a teenager had Quince even had thoughts like that.
Maybe he shouldn’t hang out with Jathan again after all.
He wasn’t that guy. Yeah. This had been a one and done. Quince wasn’t gay. He couldn’t be.