“Craig, don’t say that. Lots of people care about you.”
“Bullshit.” Before Jeff could challenge him again, Craig raised his hand. “It’s okay. Having you is more than enough. Besides, it’s not like I’m ever in need of companionship when it’s required.”
“A faceless ass is not companionship.”
Laughing, Craig pulled his hand away, wrapping it around the cup in front of him. “Tell my dick that. It’s pretty damn content as long as I give it a channel to fill a few times a week. Doesn’t seem to care whose name or face is attached.”
“You’re terrible. Any man would be honored to have you as his boyfriend.”
“I’m getting closer to thirty than twenty every day. I’m a little too old for a boyfriend. Anyway, guys like me usually attract non-boyfriend material.”
“You are not non-boyfriend material. I wish you could see yourself like I see you.”
“As a big brother?”
“Is that how you think I view you?”
Craig took another big gulp of his drink, stood up, and brought the cup and saucer to the sink. “Forget about me. What’s the plan? Do you already have someone as a backup?”
Jeff would have been insulted had he not pulled crap like that in the past. He remembered going from his previous boyfriend into Derek’s arms. He’d sacked out at Craig’s place for just a few weeks and was moving in with Derek before he should have. This time Jeff was determined to find a man who wanted him and who wanted to be in love as much as he did.
“No one’s waiting in the wings. If you’ll have me, I’d like to stay here indefinitely.” Jeff lowered his head. “I’ll find a job and pay half the rent. I promise.”
“I’m sure you will, and you’ll have to, otherwise we’ll both be out on the street by the time the next month’s rent is due.”
Jeff looked up, confused by Craig’s declaration. “What are you talking about? You’ve never needed a roommate before.”
“Remember, I’m out of a job. Unemployment doesn’t go very far in the big city. The times, they are a changing.” Craig’s brow furrowed revealing his true feelings, despite the grin he kept plastered on his face.
“If you’re resorting to quoting Dylan, we’re all in trouble. I’m waiting for an explanation.” Jeff took Craig by the hand and walked him into the tiny living room area. The two sat on the sofa. “You never actually told me, how did your morning go, dear, and why did the boss send you packing?”
Craig looked off to the side. “About work, or rather the lack thereof.” He bit his lip before he started talking.
Chapter 3
“NICE luggage. Did you have to go to Paris to get such a unique set?” Craig stuck his tongue in his cheek as he teased Jeff.
“I guess Derek has even less class than I thought. He could have at least put my clothing and personal belongings in something a tad more chic than plastic trash bags.” Jeff hovered over each large sack, opening it to confirm that everything was there.
“You’re far more of a visionary than I am if you saw any class at all in that big ape.”
“Craig, honey, I understand you’re trying to be funny, to cheer me up, but I’m just not ready for a constant stream of derogatory Derek humor.”
Craig saw the sadness and resignation in his friend’s eyes. A momentary flash of guilt stung him so he changed the subject. “Okay, sorry. Let’s focus on the future.”
“What future?” Jeff tilted his head. “We’re both jobless, and in a month, if we don’t fix that problem, we’ll also be homeless.”
Walking up behind Jeff, Craig massaged the visibly tense shoulders. “Hey, take the intensity down a notch. You’ll have a heart attack before the end of the month if you stay this wound up.”
Jeff closed his eyes, his head falling back as Craig continued working the knots between the redhead’s shoulder blades. “Mmm, that feels amazing.”
“Not a bad reaction for an activity that doesn’t include my cock.”
“Sex isn’t everything, you know.”
Craig snorted. “Oh really! It sure as shit helps when everything else is screwed up. In fact, I say we both go out to the Music Box tonight and see if we can improve the outcome of this extremely fucked-up day.”
“You must be kidding!” Jeff stepped away from Craig’s ongoing ministrations, put his hands on his hips, and turned around, glaring. Craig would have laughed at Jeff’s imitation of a fishwife had he not been so surprised by the over-the-top reaction. “That place is a haven for one-night stands and twinkie sluts.”
“It wasn’t that long ago you were one of those twinkie sluts.”
“I hate to break this to you, Craig, but we’re the same age. It wasn’t so long ago for you, either.”
Poking Jeff in the ribs, Craig chuckled. “I was never a twink.”
“So you were born a hunky top.”
“Exactly!”
Jeff laughed out loud, his hands dropping from his hips.
“It’s good to hear that sound, even if it is at the expense of my masculinity.”
“Honey, you’re gay. Your machismo only goes so far.”
“I resent that.” Craig was glad to see Jeff’s mood return to a more playful demeanor. “So, are we heading out? You can tackle all this shit tomorrow. Sleep in your briefs tonight, or nothing for that matter. I don’t give a shit. We’ve known each other forever.”
“Seems that way, doesn’t it?” Jeff brushed his fingers over Craig’s cheek. He shivered in response to the gentle contact.
Stepping back, Craig avoided the beautiful baby blues staring in his direction. Beautiful! Where the hell did that come from? They had to get out of the apartment. If they stayed, Craig feared he might do something stupid. Exploring where thoughts like that came from, or acting on them, could only lead to disaster. To even think of hooking up with Jeff in an attempt to make him feel better about
