“Lie on me,” Gage said, tugging gently on Ulric.
“I don’t want to crush you.”
Gage huffed. “You won’t.”
He pulled Ulric back, so Ulric all but lay against his chest, Gage’s breath warm on his shoulder. In the dim glow of the TV, Ulric stared at Gage’s muscular arms around his belly, and his bare legs—he should’ve gotten a blanket to cover up. At least Gage couldn’t see much of Ulric’s skin.
“You’re squeezing around me,” Gage murmured. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Ulric wet his lips, beyond glad that Gage couldn’t see his face. Bad enough that Gage could feel what went on inside his body.
But Gage stroked Ulric’s jaw with his fingers. “You’re upset about something.”
“I’m not.”
“Tell me.” Gage kissed his shoulder.
Ulric’s face heated at that intimacy. “We’re still friends, right?”
Gage was silent for a moment. “You want to be friends?”
Ulric’s stomach dropped. Did Gage not want to be friends? “I—Yeah.”
Gage trailed his fingers up Ulric’s side. Then he brushed his wrist along Ulric’s arm again, marking him with pine. Ulric’s face burned. He wished they were bondmates. He looked down at himself, and he didn’t feel proud of anything he saw.
“I—I want to lose weight,” he blurted. In case there was a chance he could look better.
Gage kissed his nape. “It’s not because of me, right? You’re perfect as you are.”
Ulric prickled all over with embarrassment. “How can you say that? You see me, Gage—”
“I see who you are inside.” Gage slid his palm over Ulric’s heart.
“I’m not right,” Ulric blurted. “I’m not an omega. I’m not special or anything. All I am is just f—”
Gage clapped his hand over Ulric’s mouth. “All you are, is adorable.”
Ulric’s heart tumbled. “Why?”
“Because.” Gage kissed his shoulder. “We could be more.”
Ulric’s entire body froze up. “M-more?”
Gage leaned to the side, trying to meet his eyes. “You don’t want to?”
“You—You’re talking about being boyfriends. Us.”
“Yeah.”
Ulric tried to wrap his mind around that. He badly wanted to. But he was also afraid of Gage finding someone better, he was afraid of Gage breaking up with him. Gage’s “Notify me when this alpha becomes available” email waiting list had probably grown twice as long this past month.
Even though his instincts told him to say yes, Ulric shook his head.
“Okay,” Gage murmured. He held Ulric more tightly, kissing his spine. “But we’ll still do this? Is that okay with you?”
“‘This’?”
Gage reached down, running his fingertips lightly over Ulric’s cock. Pleasure whispered through his body.
Ulric gulped, his face burning. Gage was touching him there again. “Yeah. Sure,” he choked. Like it hadn’t just made his entire week.
“You don’t sound so excited about it,” Gage said dryly.
“What, you thought I’d blow my load the moment you asked?”
Gage laughed. “I thought you might.”
Ulric squirmed, hating that he was so predictable. The moment Gage’s knot receded, he eased himself off, trying not to moan. Then he grabbed his pants and pulled it on so Gage wouldn’t have to see his bare ass. “I’m going to go work out.”
Gage hummed. But his gaze slid over Ulric’s body, warm and... appreciative? Ulric wasn’t sure what had changed between them. “Need help with spotting?”
Ulric wanted to prove that he could do this himself. So he shook his head, heading upstairs.
If he exercised enough, if he lost enough weight... maybe he’d be good enough for Gage. Maybe he’d be alpha enough.
Hope blossoming in his chest, he went to change into his exercise clothes.
17
New Arrangements
A week later, Gage received a text from his brother: I lost my job.
He stared at the message, his heart sinking. Wilkie had been struggling lately—they all were. Because of Debbie’s illness, Wilkie had taken up a part-time job to pay the bills, even though Gage had told him to focus on his studies. Now that Wilkes didn’t have a job, he would concentrate on school, right?
Trying not to worry, Gage called him.
“Gage?” Wilkie sounded miserable.
Gage wanted to reach through the phone and hug him. “Hey. How’re you doing?”
Wilkie sighed. “I’m okay.”
“Do you still have a roof over your head?”
No answer. Then, hesitantly, Wilkie replied, “Not for long. I might have to move out of the dorm if I can’t find another job.”
“Drop the job hunt,” Gage said. “Focus on your schoolwork. You could move back in with Mom and Dad and Debbie, or... maybe you could come live with me.”
He’d said it because he couldn’t bear the thought of Wilkie wandering around on the streets. But the moment it left his lips, Gage realized it wasn’t the best solution. When Ulric had made Gage the offer, he hadn’t said Gage could invite someone else to room with him. Not only that—the parts of Debbie’s bills that Wilkie couldn’t help with, Gage would have to cover.
So much for paying double rent next month.
“Really?” Wilkie sounded hopeful. “You found a new place?”
Crap. Gage sighed, flopping onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling. “Kinda. I don’t know if I’ll be here long, though.”
From the corner of his eye, Gage saw Ulric walk out of his office, freezing mid-step. Ulric glanced over; their gazes met. He’d heard Gage, then.
“When can I move in?” Wilkie asked.
Gage pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hang on. I’ll check.” He turned to Ulric, feeling sheepish. “My brother’s looking for a place to stay. Would you mind if...?” He gestured around himself.
Ulric’s throat worked. “Yeah, sure. I mean, go ahead. I don’t mind.”
“He’ll share my room and everything. I swear he won’t be a bother.”
Ulric nodded. “You said you wouldn’t be staying long, though?” He sounded disappointed.
Gage didn’t want to discuss this with Wilkie still on the phone. He patted his mattress, inviting Ulric over. As soon as Ulric sat on Gage’s bed, Gage leaned close, burying his nose against Ulric’s soft side. Ulric always smelled so good.
“Who’s that?” Wilkie asked. “Your roommate?”
Gage rolled over, laying his head on Ulric’s lap. It was firm, warm, and he found that he liked looking at Ulric from this close. “Ulric’s a really good friend. I want him to be my best friend.”
Ulric
