“I can’t go,” Rocky said, practically screaming in Tito’s face. “He needs me.”
“Jinx needs you,” Tito said, sounding completely calm. His steady voice brought Rocky back to reality. Jinx was out there somewhere, hurting and thinking Rocky planned to push him out. Tito was the best person to help Hudson. Rocky could work on fixing things with Jinx. Then the three of them could talk once Hudson pulled through.
“Okay. You’re right. Go help Hudson. I’ll find Jinx.”
Tito looked relieved, which didn’t make Rocky feel better. It only proved Tito was more worried about Hudson than he let on. Rocky watched Tito jog back inside. His eyes stung as reality came bursting through his walls like the Kool-Aid man. He bent at the waist and braced his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Rocky didn’t understand what had happened. He had raced over here to have an amazing night with the men he loved. Now everything was gone. It didn’t make sense. All he knew was he had lost everything, and he was fairly certain it was all his fault.
The Back Porch was an everyone-knows-your-name coffeehouse. Jinx hadn’t been there in a long time. Since moving in with Zayn, the place wasn’t as convenient, and Jinx had been busy. Now he didn’t know where else to go. He couldn’t go home. Hell, technically, Jinx didn’t have a home any longer. When Zayn had asked Jinx to come live with him, Jinx had given up his apartment. Between his mom’s life insurance money and not having any bills for nearly two years, Jinx had a hefty savings, but still. He didn’t know where to go.
Until a few hours ago, most of Jinx’s things had been in storage. Now they were scattered throughout Hudson’s home. All Jinx had now were the things that had been at Zayn’s. Those were in the AMG Zayn had given him for his birthday. That sat in the parking lot of the coffeehouse. Jinx supposed that meant he could go anywhere. After all, he had lived without his stuff in storage for a long time. What did it matter if they belonged to Hudson now? Hudson and Rocky could enjoy Jinx’s old furnishings in their new life together... without Jinx.
Jinx wrapped his fingers around his steaming cup and tried breathing through the pain. A tear slipped down his cheek. Jinx quickly wiped it away before anyone saw. He worried if anyone showed him an ounce of compassion, he would fall apart. Jinx couldn’t understand how he had been so blind. Everything made sense now. Rocky hadn’t made a move on Jinx until he could make a move on Hudson too. After all, Jinx and Rocky had lived under the same roof for months before he confessed to wanting to be with Jinx and Hudson. Jinx wondered how long they had been planning this. He wondered when they had planned to break the news to him. It would have been nice if one of them had said something before Jinx moved half his stuff to Hudson’s place. Now Jinx had nowhere to go.
Jinx had a lot of questions. He would never get the answers, and that was for the best. Sometimes he could be pretty weak. That was probably why they had gotten tired of him and made a plan to push him out. Damn. He had been a huge fool. Hudson had talked Jinx out of Zayn’s house. All Rocky had to do was give him the final push from Hudson’s life. Boom. A new relationship without Jinx all tied up in a pretty bow. No ugliness of getting Jinx out of Zayn’s place after the breakup. He hadn’t known people could be so cruel.
“Are you okay?”
Jinx quickly averted his eyes as Wrecker, the shop’s owner, came to stand over him. He nodded while fighting the urge to swipe at his eyes. “I’m just plotting my next move in life.”
Wrecker sat without invitation. It wasn’t like Jinx could complain. Wrecker owned the place. Jinx’s gaze slid the man’s way. He had gorgeous dark skin and beautiful eyes. They were like a lion’s. Mesmerizing. Jinx had heard the guy used to be a professional football player before opening this coffeehouse. He could see it. Wrecker looked like he could wreck someone.
“Do you need someone to talk to?”
A humorless bark of laughter burst from Jinx. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Wrecker nodded, looking understanding. “Without thinking too hard about it, say the first thing that would make things better right now in this moment.”
Since Jinx had nothing left to lose, he said the first thing that popped into his mind. “I need a new life in a new place with a fresh start.” Some place he wouldn’t have to watch the loves of his life marry without him, Jinx silently added.
Wrecker sat back and eyed Jinx for a moment before glancing around the room. His gaze landed on a couple in the corner. One guy was skinny and perfectly styled, wearing a suit that made him look like a pimp. His date had long blond hair and a body that would make any gay man weep. Wrecker tapped his knuckles on the table. “Give me a second. I might have exactly what you need.”
Jinx watched Wrecker cross the room and chat with the gorgeous couple. Their gazes turned Jinx’s way, and Jinx found himself staring at his coffee. He hated everyone knowing he was falling apart.
After a few minutes of chatting, Wrecker returned. He sat across from Jinx. “Those are my friends, Brett and Roman. Roman moved here from Colorado after he fell in love with Brett, but he still owns a home there. If you really want to...” Wrecker’s gaze slid past Jinx’s shoulder. He visibly tried
