not the real reason, so spit it out already.” I crossed my arms and waited. He could never hold out for long.
“Fine.” He threw his hands in the air; thankfully he’d put his mug down first. “Jasper told me about that night at the pub.”
Oh. “And?”
He grinned, and I knew what was coming. “I thought I’d stay out of the way so you could get to know each other better.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Cole—”
“No, listen. You’ve turned into a recluse since Evan fucked off.”
“I have not.”
It was his turn to give me a pointed look. “I bet Christian had to drag you out that night, didn’t he?”
“Maybe,” I muttered, suddenly finding my tea interesting.
“Well, I know for sure that it’s been a while for Jasper too.”
I snorted. “I imagine he had plenty of takers while he was away.” I didn’t think for one minute he’d had any trouble finding someone to fuck in those hostels he’d stayed in.
“I’m not saying he didn’t meet people, but he didn’t sleep with them all like you seem to think. He likes to get to know people.” I snorted. “He does,” Cole insisted.
I thought back over the last week or so and had to give him that. “Fine, I’ll grant you Jasper is good company, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to jump into bed together just because he’s moved in and can hold a conversation.”
Before Cole could comment further, I added, “And he’s your best mate. Wouldn’t that be awkward?”
His eyes lit up. “Oh, so you’ve given it some thought?”
“What? No.” All the fucking time.
“You can’t lie to me, Finn.” He reached up and poked me in the cheek. “I know all your tells.”
I brushed his hand away, but sighed, resignedly. “We kissed.”
His grin was huge. “I knew it! Jasper was way too cagey when I asked him how it was going living here.”
“It was just a kiss, Cole, don’t get all excited.”
“But he’s still living here?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re still talking?”
I frowned. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
“So you kissed, and everything carried on as normal, no awkwardness?”
I’d thought maybe there would be, but no, I had to grudgingly admit, it wasn’t awkward between us. “No.”
He sipped his tea, watching me over the rim of his mug. “Are you going to do it again?”
And that was the question, wasn’t it?
“I want to.” I caught myself reaching for Jasper all the time, but something always stopped me. “But . . .”
“But what?”
“We live together already. If we start anything, then we’d already be in each other’s pockets and I don’t think that’s a healthy way to start a relationship.”
“A relationship?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Make him move out, then. Problem solved.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I’m not making him move out just so I can fuck him.”
Cole grimaced. “Let’s not go into detail, eh?”
“Awkward?”
“Weird.” He hummed, fingers tapping on his mug. “You haven’t brought up the age difference once, though.”
Because I didn’t notice it when we were together.
I shrugged. “No, I haven’t.”
Cole slid closer to me and nudged my shoulder with his. “Because it doesn’t matter, does it? Jasper’s a great bloke.”
“He is.” I felt like I knew him far better than our time together suggested, but did I? “We still hardly know each other though, Cole. I doubt he’s interested in a twenty-six-year-old who would rather stay home on a weekend than go out clubbing or whatever.”
“That’s a load of bollocks and you know it.” He looked cross now. “If you don’t want to start anything with Jasper because you live together or he’s too young or whatever, then that’s your choice. But don’t assume what he thinks without even asking him. That’s unfair, Finn.”
God, I was being lectured by my younger brother about his best mate. And what was worse, he had a point. How had this happened? “Yeah, you’re right.”
He looked far too smug at hearing that.
“Enjoy it while you can, I doubt it’ll happen again anytime soon.” I dodged his punch, laughing as he grumbled about arsehole brothers, but a knock on the front door brought us both to a halt.
“Expecting someone?” Cole glanced towards the door.
I shook my head. “Nope.” It was way too early for Jasper to be home, unless things had gone terribly wrong with his mum, and besides, he had a key. I didn’t recognise the outline of whoever was out there either.
Standing outside my front door was about the last person I expected to see.
Jasper’s dad.
“Mr Adams. I’m sorry, but Jasper isn’t in right now.”
“Yeah,