probably just thinking about work.”
Colt snorted. “It’s nothing. Really.” His phone buzzed again, and when he looked down, he was surprised to see it was Jason. He knew if he checked it at the table, his parents were going to be offended. That was the one rule that hadn’t changed, no matter how old he had gotten.
“And who is that?” Renee asked. Her tone made it clear she knew exactly who it was somehow. Sometimes Colt could swear she was psychic. He just hoped not.
“It’s nothing. I’ll deal with it after dinner,” he assured her, taking a sip of his water.
“I thought you two weren’t speaking,” Renee pressed.
Colt had known it was only a matter of time before she found out things had gone sour between him and Jason. She had never understood why they weren’t together in the first place, and she practically treated Jason like he was already her son-in-law.
“We’re not,” said Colt. He hadn’t had much of an appetite to begin with—not for human food at least—but now it was completely gone.
Renee shook her head in disappointment. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but you two have been friends your entire lives. Even if you’re not dating, it’s such a waste to let whatever it is that’s between you ruin all those years.”
“It’s complicated, Mom,” Colt said for what felt like the hundredth time. It was hard to convince her of something he himself didn’t want to believe. “I can’t explain it, but trust me, Jason is better off without me in his life.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Renee huffed. Before she could continue, the doorbell rang.
The looks on his parents’ faces made it clear to Colt they hadn’t invited anyone over, and it was rare for marketers to come to the door after seven.
“I’ll get it,” said Colt. There was always a chance it was one of his guards trying to reach him, even though he’d told them to steer clear of the house unless it was absolutely necessary.
What he wasn’t expecting was to find Jason on the other side of the door. Judging from the look on his face, it wasn’t just a casual social call, either.
“Jason,” Colt said, still trying to process his sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?”
“My parents live next door, remember?” Jason asked, folding his arms.
“Right. Well, if you need to talk to Mom—”
“Don’t give me that. You know I came to see you,” Jason said in a clipped tone. “Considering it’s the only way I can get you to talk.”
“Your last message made it pretty clear you didn’t want to talk,” Colt sighed.
Jason gave him a look. “I’m not going to let you do this, you know. I’ve warred with myself for weeks, but this is complete bullshit, and we both know it.”
“What are you talking about?” Colt asked, even though he knew well enough.
Jason’s eyes flared with anger. “Did you really think I was just going to let you push me away like this? After everything we’ve been through?”
“Jason, I told you—”
“I know what you told me, and I’m saying it’s bullshit. I don’t believe you. You’ve never been someone to disappear off the face of the earth, or not be there when I needed you. Then last year, everything changed. I thought I could just let it go and accept that you’re this new person with completely different priorities and people in his life, but I can’t. I can’t let you go that easily.”
Jason took a step forward, his gaze softening. “Please, Colt. Just talk to me.”
It was a request he had made plenty of times before, but it had never been more tempting to grant than it was then.
Dammit. It was hard enough to do this over text. Now he had to stay strong, face-to-face. Andrew’s words still echoed in his mind, a much-needed reminder of why he was doing this.
“This really isn’t a good time.”
“If I leave it up to you, there’s never going to be a good time,” Jason argued. He wasn’t wrong, either. He stood his ground, that stubborn look Colt had always loved and hated at the same time coming over his features. “I’m not going anywhere. Not until you look me in the eye and tell me it’s really over. That you really don’t want anything to do with me.”
Colt’s throat tightened. He had been close to death so many times, and not a quiet, gentle death, either. And yet, his heart had never pounded quite as thunderously as it did