“Um, Ev?” Shit. He’d created a nickname for Evan. Not good. Too soon, too. “You might want to put on boxers or jeans in case one of the boys comes in.”
“Good point.” Evan donned his jeans. “Thanks. Come on, Kitty.”
The feline yawned, then hopped off the bed.
Mick sighed and flopped backward onto the mattress. He and Evan had fallen into a nice little pattern too easily. Like they were supposed to be together.
Mick’s phone rang. Damn it. He’d been away from the office for too long and should’ve returned by now. But he didn’t want to go back—not yet. He liked the quiet paradise he had with Evan. He pulled the phone from his pants and answered. “Hello?”
“Where are you?” Bud demanded. “It’s not like you to flake off.”
“I got busy.” Literally. “I’m with a client.”
“Evan Conley? He’s not gay or are you turning him?” Bud snapped.
“Does it matter if he is or isn’t? I’m helping him with Martha’s estate.” He wasn’t lying—not completely. “Do you need me? I don’t have any appointments today and my paperwork is finished.”
“No, but it was strange when you blasted out of here,” Bud said. “If I upset you…”
“You did.” He refused to mince his words. “Evan is a nice guy and I like having friends who don’t give a shit about my being a lawyer and who aren’t insulting me.”
Bud gasped. “I didn’t insult you.”
“You did and you know it.”
“Christ. When you’re in a relationship, you’re less tense and don’t take stupid things personally,” Bud growled. “I hoped you’d find a guy who isn’t Evan. If he’s not gay, then you’ll get hurt. Don’t chase him. He’s not worth it. I know. I remember him from school. He dated so many girls because they thought he sang well. What did they get? Heartbreak. You will, too. He’s garbage.”
“He’s not the same guy from school. I went to school with you both, remember?” Right now, he wished he’d never met Bud.
“You like him.” Bud groaned. “You’ll get hurt. I’m telling you.”
“It’s not yours to decide,” Mick said. “I might get hurt, but you have nothing to say to change my mind. I like him.” Shit. He’d admitted that out loud.
Evan strolled into the room and stopped short. “Good thing you mentioned pants. The guys are outside.” He held up both hands. “Sorry.”
“He’s there,” Bud said. “You slept with him. Mick.”
“I need to go.” Mick ended the call. He’d explain the situation to Evan. God, he’d fucked up.
“What’s wrong?” Evan stretched out beside Mick. “Everything okay?”
“No. My office-mate heard you and I told him I like you,” Mick said. “You knew him. We were in school together.”
“Okay.” Evan shrugged. “We went to school with a lot of people.”
“He’s figured out that you’re gay.” Why didn’t Evan see the issue? “I don’t regret what we’ve done, but we shouldn’t have done it. You’re not out.”
“My truth had to come out at some point.” Evan shrugged again. “I’ll have to make a social media post. I can’t lie any longer.”
“About what? Us?” He didn’t want Evan to ruin the chances of regaining his career over a one-time thing.
“About who I am, for one,” Evan said. “I hid this for too long. I’m tired of lying.”
“If you want to keep this quiet, I understand.” He’d hate every second of being a secret, but he’d go along with Evan’s wishes. For all he knew, they wouldn’t be a couple beyond the next few days or weeks.
“I don’t want to keep anything silent. Being with you made me realize I’ve been hiding for too long. Fans might not flock to me because I’m gay, but at least I’ll be authentic.”
“True.” Still, he couldn’t have Evan risking so much.
“We’ll shower, then I’ll make a post.”
“You’re sure?” Mick asked.
“I’m positive. This has gone on for too long. I need to be me.” Evan smiled. “I respect you and won’t use your name. This is about me.”
“You’re a good man.” But he didn’t care if the truth came out. He’d slept with Evan Conley and he liked it. He’d seen every part of Evan and wanted to do it all over again. He wanted to suck that delicious cock and feel Evan moving in him a second, third, fourth time. God, he had it bad for Evan.
“I’m in over my head, though.”
“I’ll help you.” Mick laced his fingers with Evan’s and nodded. “It’ll be okay.”
“I know.” Evan tugged Mick close. “Once the funeral is over, I’ll post something to my social media to give the fans an explanation.”
Mick’s thoughts were muddled. Shit. Things were getting real. “You’ve got a good plan.” He sighed. “I should go back to work, though. I won’t want to, but I’m supposed to be racking up billable hours.”
“Stay. Take today off and exist with me,” Evan said. “What’s on your case load for this afternoon?”
“Mostly wading through your case.”
“Can’t you do that here?”
“It’s easy and I probably could. She left everything to you.” Mick kissed Evan. “I have to wrap up loose ends. She left a trust and it’s all going to you. As for Edwin, I can start that search on my laptop.”
“Then stay.”
He paused. Mick had to think this through. He didn’t want Evan to make a mistake. “Evan, do you want to be with me?”
“Yes.” He answered with no hesitation.
“Why?” He needed to know. They were starting the relationship too fast and things could go to hell even faster.
“Because you’re handsome, caring and you aren’t trying to jump into bed with me because I was sort of famous. You gave me a second chance after me being an asshole in school.”
“You’re famous around Cedarwood,” Mick said. “Maybe the fame isn’t on a huge scale, but the fans love you.” He’d seen the admiration when he’d searched Evan on the internet.
“The fans can be relentless, but they can turn on you
