Page 107 of Line Change

We hang up. The condo goes quiet, and I open the team group chat to read the details for Nolan’s party again.

When the night of Nolan’s party comes, I park in his garage and stay in the driver’s seat after the engine shuts off.

I haven’t found better words since I talked to Grayson. All I have is an apology, the truth about wanting Nolan back, and no reason to think either will be enough.

The first time I came to a party here, I sat in the car trying to figure out how to apologize for walking out on Nolan in Arizona. I wanted him to know he hadn’t done anything wrong. Now I’ve hurt him worse, and I know exactly how he looks when he doesn’t want me near him.

He invited the whole team. I’m part of the team, and there’s no chance he’ll throw me out in front of everyone. He still might wish I’d stayed home or refuse to talk to me.

I said I’d be there, so I get out of the car and take the elevator upstairs.

The doors open on Nolan’s floor. Music reaches the hallway from inside his condo. The door is unlocked, and voices spill out when I push it open.

Nobody pays much attention to me. The party already fills the living room and kitchen, and the television is showing highlights from the clinching game with the sound off. Sindre shouts my name from somewhere near the windows. I lift one hand without stopping.

Nolan is near the kitchen talking to Bobby. He has a beer in one hand and a smile on his face that disappears when he sees me coming.

Bobby turns. I ignore him.

I stop in front of Nolan and look directly at him.

“Can we talk?”

31

NOLAN

The last time Ben, Bobby, and I were all in this kitchen, Ben ran out of it naked.

Right now, I kind of want to run too.

Ben came straight to me after he walked into the party. He didn’t stop for a beer or let Sindre pull him toward the television, and now he stands in front of me with Bobby close enough to hear every word we say.

Bobby looks down at the floor between us. His eyes go wide, and he steps a full foot to his right.

He’s moved out of the exact spot Ben was standing when he had one hand down my pants.

Ben follows his gaze. His cheeks go red as Bobby studies the ceiling, but he doesn’t back away.

Interesting.

“Can we talk?” Ben repeats.

Bobby crosses his arms. The position puts him between me and the rest of the kitchen like he’s decided Ben might try to drag me off and murder me at my own party.

“Talk, if you want.” I keep my beer in my hand and don’t move any closer.

Ben glances toward the living room. “Privately.”

We both look at Bobby, who plants his feet wider.

He isn’t leaving.

Ben’s shoulders lift with a deep breath, then settle. He looks at Bobby instead of me when he says, “Nolan and I have been seeing each other since that trip to Arizona. I fucked it up, and I want to talk to him.”

On the last sentence, his eyes come to mine.

Bobby’s arms fall to his sides. The last time he found out anything about us, Ben couldn’t get dressed fast enough. I had to threaten him into silence afterward, and Ben still doesn’t know that. All he knows is that Bobby saw us.