Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
In a way, what had always been happening at Shane’s house too.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d come,” Van added.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d come either.”
They looked at each other. Van’s eyes were different shades of green. He was a stranger, yet familiar at the same time. Someone Shane hated, but also wanted to know.
“I—”
“Maxwell Sullivan!” Trinity stepped up to the table. “I didn’t know you were back in town. Give me a hug!” Van stood to hug her. “I was real sorry to hear about your daddy.” Her eyes flashed to Shane sharply as if to beg him not to announce that she definitely had known Van was coming back.
“Hey, Trin. How you doing?” For some reason, hearing Van use the nickname with her made him wince. He remembered they used to date.
“A lot better now that I’ve gotten to see you. I missed you, Max.” She squeezed him and Shane just leaned back in his seat and waited. Once the hug was over Van sat back down. His eyes darted toward Shane uncomfortably. Because he thought Shane felt out of place or because he did, Shane wondered. “How long are you back in town for?” she asked.
“I don’t know exactly. It won’t be too long. I have to help my mom sort a few things out.”
“We just got you back! We don’t want to lose you too soon.” Trinity winked at him. She had a Round Table shirt on and Shane had to admit he was thankful she was working and couldn’t join them.
Van picked up his beer and took a swallow. “It’s likely to be a quick trip. I have some stuff back home I need to take care of.” Van looked at Shane. “Let me buy you a drink.”
“Coors,” Shane replied. “I’ll get the next one.”
“This is so great. I didn’t know the two of you were friends,” Trinity added.
“Shane took mercy on me,” Van joked and Trinity laughed.
“Please,” she said. “Like it’s a hardship to hang out with you. I’d love to spend some time with you before you leave. Maybe we can hang out. I can give you my phone number.”
“That’s nice of you. I can’t make any promises since I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but maybe we can grab lunch or something. I’m warning you though, it might be a little more of a hardship to spend time with me than you think. I’m a little more of a homebody than I used to be. I used to drive my ex-boyfriend crazy.”
If Shane had been drinking something, he sure as shit would have choked on it. As it was, he just had his tongue, and he ridiculously started coughing out of the blue. Holy shit, he had not expected Van to blurt that out. Who the fuck was this guy?
“You’re…oh…oh,” Trinity said as she looked at Van. Shane could see her dissect him, trying to figure out how Maxwell Sullivan was gay, or at least bisexual, as though he had to fit into some kind of mold.
Trinity turned to Shane, then back at Van, then to Shane again.
“That’s nice…good for you,” she told Van. “I’ll go get you that beer, Shane.”
The second she disappeared through the crowd, Van asked, “Think I should talk to her? I didn’t mean to embarrass her but I don’t want to lead her on either. And I sure as shit won’t pretend I’m someone else again.”
Christ, this man had him so confused, twisted and tied in knots in an uncomfortable way. “How are you Maxwell Sullivan?” he asked, even though the question was a silly one.
“I’m not. I told you, I’m Van.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Van saw the skeptical look in Shane’s eyes. Still, the other man nodded and then said thank you when Trinity approached the table again with his beer.
She smiled at Van, and he considered talking to her again but figured that would likely make it more awkward than anything. He’d told her they could grab lunch, which they could and mentioned an ex-boyfriend just so she could be aware. There was no harm in that.
When she disappeared again, he returned his attention to Shane. Watched as he took a swallow of his beer and then licked his lips. He was sexy as hell. He’d grown a couple inches in the later years of high school and had beefed up a bit since then. Not that he looked like a gym rat or anything, but there were long cords of defined muscles in his arms. His chest looked solid, and his waist dipped in. Van had a feeling there was a nice set of abs underneath his shirt.
“You’re looking at me weird,” Shane said, pulling Van from his appreciation.
“You’re different.”
“I am,” Shane replied. More than just physically, too, Van thought. There was a confidence to Shane he didn’t have when they were younger. He’d always been strong-willed. He defended himself, even when he’d known it was a losing fight, but he’d still looked a little lost back then. He held his head higher now.