“Hi. I’m Nick. I’m looking for Bryce.”

“Oh yeah. You’re his neighbor, right?”

The word neighbor rubbed him raw when it shouldn’t. It’s what he was. “Yeah. Is he around?”

“He’s in his office with his lady. I’ll call back there and let him know you’re here.”

Well fuck. He’d thought only being called Bryce’s neighbor rubbed him wrong; it had nothing on being told Bryce was with his lady. Nick’s body temperature went up about a hundred degrees as he tried to take a few breaths to settle down.

Logically, he knew who it was. It had to be Christi. But he hadn’t realized everyone still thought they were together. He thought it was only Bryce’s parents.

Why does it matter? I know the truth...

But it also hadn’t been that long ago that he watched them together and knew it was only a matter of time before they got back together.

“Nick?” Bryce’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He hadn’t realized Tim called back for Bryce already. “I said your name three times. Get your ass back here. Are you okay?”

He should be, but he didn’t really feel okay. This whole situation was so foreign and fucked up. He hadn’t realized until that second that there might be a part of him that didn’t trust Bryce. A fear that he would do the same thing to Nick that Jill had, and he wasn’t sure how to deal with that.

***

Bryce studied Nick as he moved toward him. There was something off, but Bryce didn’t know what it was. “You okay?” he reached for Nick, but pulled his hand back. Christ, he’d almost touched him right out in the open.

“Well if it isn’t hot neighbor Nick.” Christi smiled as Nick walked into the office. Bryce closed the door behind him.

“Shut it, Christi. I told you no flirting with him.” Maybe it was okay before he’d decided he wanted Nick, but not anymore.

“Hey,” Nick replied just as Christi said, “You’re no fun.”

“On the contrary, I’ve been told I’m a whole hell of a lot of fun.” He winked at her and Christi rolled her eyes.

“I’m just here for a minute and then you guys can get back to whatever you’re doing. I came to see what you wanted me to make for dinner.” Nick looked at Christi, then Bryce, before crossing his arms, a frown on his face. What the hell was his problem?

“Okay, there’s enough tension in this room to cut with a knife.” Christi stood. “I’m going to go to the bathroom. Knock on the door when you’re done and I can pretend it took me a really long time to pee.”

Bryce nudged her as she passed, both appreciative and a little annoyed because of the way she’d put it out there. She’d asked about him and Nick, but Bryce didn’t tell her anything. It was their business. She made it pretty obvious she knew something was going on, though. Not that Nick hadn’t made it pretty fucking obvious by coming in to ask him what he wanted for dinner. That sounded about as domesticated as anything Bryce had ever heard.

“I think Christi has us figured out. Though in all honesty, she realized before I did, but I think she knows it’s moved past my secret crush on you to something more.”

Half of Nick’s mouth kicked up. It was the first time he’d almost smiled since Bryce saw him today. “You had a crush on me?”

“Obviously. And I’m glad you’re smiling. You came in here like you wanted to set the place on fire. What’s up?”

Bryce walked over to him. He put his hands on Nick’s waist just as the man asked, “Why do you think it didn’t work out between you and Christi?”

Umm...what? “Because we were better off as friends. It was a mistake. Now come here so I can kiss you.” When Nick didn’t move, Bryce leaned in. Nick’s lips automatically parted for him. He hadn’t shaved today, so rough stubble met his skin.

He pushed his tongue into Nick’s mouth, thinking this felt pretty fucking amazing. He loved kissing this man. Nick gave as good as he took—rough and eager. Tongue probing, mouth hungry.

“Be careful or you’re going to give me a hard-on.” Bryce pulled back. “I really should get back out there. I need to get this bike finished so I can get home on time today.”

“Okay.” Nick pressed his lips to Bryce’s one more time before pulling back.

“I don’t want Christi. I need to make sure you know that.”

Nick nodded. “Okay,” he said again. “What do you want me to make for dinner?”