not what Travis will be looking for if he ever comes out.”
“You’re worth so much more than you think. Someday, you’ll find a guy who helps you realize it.”
Kendall reached over and squeezed his hand. “You deserve the happiness you insist on denying yourself. Someday, the perky intern will help you realize it.”
“You think so, huh?” Jonah asked drowsily.
“I know so.”
Jonah sighed. “Won’t be today.”
Kendall pressed a cool hand to Jonah’s cheek. “That’s why we have tomorrows.”
Jonah knew all too well they weren’t guaranteed a tomorrow. “Maybe,” he said, leaning his head back against the couch and closing his eyes.
The next thing he knew, his alarm clock was blaring. Jonah reached over and turned it off. The motion created a jolt of pain in his skull. What the fuck had happened to him? Was he involved in an accident? His mouth was dry and tasted horrible. What was that noise? Was someone singing?
He cracked one eye open and regretted it immediately. The room started to spin, making him nauseous as fuck. Jonah recognized the symptoms. He had a fucking hangover, a condition he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He usually exercised more control and could handle liquor better than this. What the hell was that screechy racket? It was someone singing. Then Jonah heard the water running in his bathroom. Someone was singing in his shower. Who? It hurt to think, but he tried anyway. It had just been him and Kendall at home last night. They’d eaten Chinese food, drank excellent bourbon, and talked. Another recollection followed the first. And then another. Kendall helping him to the bathroom to throw up when he’d woken from his nap on the couch. Kendall pressing a cool rag to his forehead and cheeks. Kendall kissing his forehead. Kendall tucking him into bed, and Jonah reaching out to stop him before he could walk away.
“Stay,” Jonah had begged.
“This isn’t a good idea,” Kendall countered as he pulled back the covers and slid between them.
Oh, God. What had he done?
The shower shut off and the singing got louder. After a few minutes, Kendall walked out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel and a joyful smile on his face.
“Oh, God. What did we do?”
“You don’t have to sound so goddamned stricken right now,” Kendall said, placing his hands on his hips, nudging the towel a little lower. “You also don’t have to imply I’m the kind of guy who sexually assaults another while he’s too drunk to give consent. I might be easy, but I’m not sleazy.”
Despite everything, Jonah’s lips twitched into a semi-smile. Just that little motion reminded him of how miserable he felt.
“Furthermore, you couldn’t have gotten it up last night even if Avery paraded around in front of you buck-ass naked.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Jonah said dryly.
“You know what today is?” Kendall asked cheerfully.
Jonah had to think, which was unbelievably painful. How much bourbon did I drink? “Um, Wednesday?”
“Yes, actually,” Kendall said. “More importantly, it’s the day you take the bull by the horns or the intern by the balls, and make shit happen. Plus, you’re going to get justice for Earl and Marla.”
Jonah groaned as the events from the past few days began to crystalize and take shape in his muddled brain. He couldn’t afford to lie around and moan about his poor decisions when Marla needed him.
“I won’t be taking Avery by the balls, K.”
Kendall crossed his arms over his chest. “Why not?”
“He’s seeing someone,” Jonah replied.
“Since when?” Kendall scoffed.
“Yesterday.”
“Ah, I see,” Kendall said, fixing Jonah with a determined look. “One date or even night of sex isn’t strong enough to extinguish the torch the sweet boy is carrying for you.”
“Sweet boy?” Jonah asked. “He’s twenty-five. Same as you.”
“Maybe on paper, but I’m decades older in experience,” Kendall countered.
Jonah’s eyes snagged on the tiny scrap of blue fabric lying in the middle of his bedroom floor. It took him a moment to recognize them as Kendall’s shorts. “Are you sure we didn’t do anything?”
Kendall sighed. “I stripped out of the shorts on the way to the shower, not before I got in your bed. Pull back the blanket and look at yourself. Are you wearing underwear?” Jonah lifted the sheet and comforter and saw he was indeed wearing his boxer briefs. “There’s your answer,” Kendall said huffily. “I can’t believe you question my character.” He bent over to retrieve his shorty shorts with a dramatic flourish and ended up losing his towel in the process. “Oopsie,”