On the Run (Whispering Key #2) - May Archer Page 0,30

Gage pressed his palms together in front of his mouth. “You two fell in love because of animals.”

A giant noise like a record scratch filled the little pool house—or maybe just my brain—but all three of us stared at Gage simultaneously.

Love? Really? I felt like Gage had missed a couple crucial steps there. In fact, entire staircases.

“Are you high?” Beale scowled. “How the hell did you hear that story and think perfect and love?”

“Well, not perfect,” Gage agreed. “You’ve been estranged for over a decade, knowing the world wouldn’t be kind about your age difference, but—”

“What? No. It’s a minuscule age difference,” I felt the need to reiterate. “Hardly anything, really. I’m quite young.”

Beale shot me a look. “Focus, To—Trey. Our age difference is not the point here.”

“Because it’s so small,” I told Gage in a low voice. “Negligible.”

“But it’s obvious you’ve carried a torch for one another all along, because you finally got back in touch!” Gage concluded. He bit his lip. “It’s maybe the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

Rafe hmm’d thoughtfully.

“Who are you right now?” Beale demanded. “Since when are you a closet romantic, Gage Spence Goodman? Where’s Mr. Algorithms and Science?”

“Since now.” Gage’s brown eyes were soulful. “Jesus Christ, Beale, I’m not heartless! Algorithms and science are beautiful, but love conquers all, and your story is like a fairy tale.”

“You know… it really kind of is,” I agreed, getting into the spirit of the thing. “Two men, torn apart by the whims of fate and the vagaries of life, finally reunited last night—”

“Yes! Only to find your connection is still there!” Gage pressed a hand to his chest. “Just like the first time you met.”

“Yes,” Beale said sourly. “Last night felt very much like the first time we met.”

“I can honestly say, I’ve never felt closer to Beale than I do right now.” I sighed and clasped Beale’s arm. “We’re like… whajamacallit? Soul mates.”

Beale’s muscles locked down beneath my fingers. Gage’s eyes widened. Rafe’s mouth dropped open.

“Ohhhh,” Rafe breathed. “Now I get it. You’re right, Gage, this does explain so much.”

“No!” Beale began, shaking his head wildly. “No, no, no. It explains nothing. It’s not—”

“All these years,” Rafe went on, “you’ve been saying you’re not interested in casual hookups because you were holding out for your soul mate, blah blah, and I thought you were being hypothetical, but you were actually holding out for Trey! For this guy here!”

The look that Beale shot me could have stripped off more layers of skin than a chemical peel, but in my defense, how was I supposed to know he actually believed in this shit? Crystals and yoga and chakras were one thing, but soul mates? That was a bridge too far.

Fuck, that was a continent too far.

“Well. I-it’s still early days yet,” Beale stammered.

“But when you know, you know. Right?” Gage demanded. “Isn’t that what you told me? The Universe will show you the one true path? The signs will be unmistakable?”

Beale’s mouth opened, and then he closed it again. He nodded reluctantly. “I… had no idea you were actually paying attention when I said those things. Who knew?”

Rafe shook his head in disbelief, looking almost angry. He took a step forward, and I was positive he was going to hit one of us, probably me. But in the end, he threw his arms around Beale’s waist and hugged him hard.

“Shit, man,” Rafe muttered into Beale’s chest. “I’m so sorry. I wish you’d said something!”

“Oh. Oh, wow. Okay.” Beale patted his brother’s back and grimaced at me over his shoulder. “So this is happening.”

“And you!” Rafe said, pulling back and wagging a playful finger at me. “Get over here!” He pulled me into a firm embrace. “Welcome to the family!”

The family? Fuckity fuck.

Rafe gave a loud sniff and clapped Beale on the shoulder. “I get that you’re probably trying to be careful because of what happened with Aimee and me, but I hate that you couldn’t tell me about this. I guess what’s important is that you’ve told me now. But no wonder you didn’t want to flirt with Silvio last night or throw that party to get to know him better, huh? I mean, Silvio might have an ass for days, but you’re already all set.”

An ass for days, hmm? I gave Beale a look that said, For a guy who doesn’t hook up, you sure get around, and sure enough, Beale blushed again.

“Yes. Yeah. I’m set.” Beale cleared his throat. “Which means there’s no need for