Page 118 of So I'll Know
I nod to answer his question.
“That’s why you look so familiar. Didn’t you and Trey date? I think I saw you guys at some mutual parties . . .” He looks at Link, who’s glaring between us, and I can’t resist fucking with him, which I know will also fuck with Marcus.
I place a hand on one hip and purse my lips. “‘Date’ is a strong word. We sucked and fucked, but I don’t think we ever went on a date, did we, babe?” Marcus stiffens at my side as I give Trey a questioning look, and he plays along, shaking his head with a laugh. Lincoln’s gaze darkens further, and I raise an eyebrow at him. “And don’t give me that jealous boyfriend glare, Lincoln Evans. I know what your cock tastes like too.” I’m rewarded when he closes his mouth, a blush coloring his cheeks.
Fiona and Brantley burst out laughing, and Marcus makes a noise akin to a growl. I choose not to look at him.
Stew in your jealousy, big guy.
The older man stands from the couch with a friendly smile. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear any of that.” He holds out his hand, and I shake it. “John Evans, Lincoln’s dad.”
I should have known; they share the same dark features, other than the shots of gray in John’s hair. “Mmm,” I say with a wide smile. “I see where Link gets his mouthwatering looks.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Marcus mutters angrily.
I give him an innocent glance, and judging by his glare, if looks could kill, I’d be in hell right now.
I roll my eyes.
Am I intentionally pushing his buttons? Absolutely.
Do I care right now? Not even a little bit.
Marcus clears his throat. “You all went to high school together?” He steps closer to me, his voice lowering an octave, obviously annoyed. “Why didn’t you mention this before?” he asks me.
I shrug like a brat. “We went to high school in the same town, not the same school, and it never came up.”
“How do you guys know each other?” Sebastian interjects.
“Oh.” The tips of Marcus’s ears pinken, and I stare at him expectantly. “He’s . . . our interior decorator for the Seattle pub.”
For fuck’s sake.
“Uh, yeah, I’m your . . . decorator.” I turn to Marcus’s brother with a polite, albeit tight, smile. “You must be Sebastian.”
“That’s me.” He gives Marcus an incredulous look. “You brought ourdecoratorwith you?”
Marcus freezes up and somehow manages to look even more uncomfortable.
Exasperated, I step in front of him and give Sebastian an apologetic look. “I was free this weekend, so I brought some designs with me to show you. Marcus felt like he wouldn’t be able to explain them well.” I look at Charlie. “I hope that’s okay. I don’t mean to crash the party.”
“Are you kidding?” Charlie says. “You’re always welcome, Jeremy.”
As conversations around us naturally resume, Marcus grabs my elbow a little too forcefully, his lips dropping to the shell of my ear. “You’re going to pay for that lie later, Jer,” he growls.
I pull my arm free and step back a little, putting some space between us because his alpha-male bullshit is turning me on,but I’m still annoyed with him. “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t say anything. It didn’t seem relevant.”
“I’ve talked about Charlie and the guys many times over the last few months.”
“Technically, I’ve mentioned Trey a few times—he was my high school friend I told you about.” I bat my lashes at him. “And how was I supposed to know you’dactuallybring me to meet your family?” I snap my fingers. “Oh wait, you didn’t bringme. You brought yourdecorator.”
His face blanches, but before he can respond, we’re saved by the bell when the doorbell rings.
“Pizza time!” Trey yells, jumping up and running to the foyer.
Sebastian just stoleMarcus’s fucking thunder, coming out to his whole family as demisexual, and I can’t help the jealousy that stirs in my gut when he sits down and Brantley joins him, slinging his arm around the back of Seb’s chair.
I look at Marcus. His eyes are so unsure, and they’re wet with unshed tears. I can see he’s proud of Sebastian.
