Chapter Twenty-One - The Part Of Me That Wants You
Conflicting emotions tended to be exhausting, so for the sake of keeping his stamina up, Jonathan lied to himself that, for the time being, it would just be better to play along with Maddox's plan. Would a month be enough to get over it? He had the answer to that, not that he liked it, but he was too weak to resist. On the upside, he would get plenty of experience, which meant that he would walk into a real relationship, fully knowing what being together with a guy sexually was all about.
Yes, spending time with Maddox, hot and sweaty between the sheets, had a practical purpose. And wasn't he the one who wished to change? It was a test of his resolve at the same time. If he fell for Maddox it would be his own fault, and he would deal with it.
Sure, there were downsides to giving in to attraction, such as the need for long showers in the company of his hand. Jonathan snorted at his own inability to get Maddox out of his mind, as he walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.
"You have a visitor," Ray announced.
Jonathan smiled. Having Maddox over so soon was more than he had hoped for.
"It's Rusty," Ray added.
Jonathan's smile froze.
"I let him into your room while you were in the shower. I hope you don't mind," Ray added. His voice dropped. "He looked like he wanted to walk into the bathroom to talk to you, but that would have been a bit weird, right?"
Jonathan sighed. "No problem, Ray. I'll deal with him."
Why was Rusty there? Could it be that he and Maddox were still mad at each other? Maddox had a reason, at least. Half a reason. Ten percent of a reason? Jonathan walked into his room, unprepared for what Rusty wanted to tell him.
The guy was sprawled on the bed, his long legs hanging over the edge. He straightened up as soon as Jonathan opened the door.
"I came to say sorry," Rusty said directly, letting his forearms rest on his thighs, bending forward. He looked up at Jonathan, holding his head cocked to one side.
Jonathan had a very disturbing crush on Rhett Butler at a very young age, and although he had worked that out of his system, the way Rusty was staring upward at him like that reminded him of Rhett shamelessly eyeing Scarlett from the foot of the staircase. He shook away the image; he tended to be overdramatic sometimes, and while Rusty had some roguish charm going for him, his goofy smile had nothing to do with being an attractive movie icon.
Still, Jonathan grabbed the towel where it twisted to keep itself in place in a self-conscious manner. "All right," he said in a cool voice. "Consider it forgotten."
Rusty's smile grew broader. "What do you have to hide under that?" he asked.
Could it be that this brazen attitude got Rusty what he wanted? Jonathan was about to pull backward defensively when he remembered his conversation with Dex. Rusty was a challenger by definition. He needed some putting in place. So, instead of pulling the towel tightly around himself, Jonathan lifted it, grabbed his balls and cock and flaunted them for a moment.
"Was that what you wanted to see, Rusty?"
He let the towel fall back and then crossed his arms over his chest, staring Rusty down, and feeling pretty smug.
Rusty's eyes were wide in shock and his lips formed an excited O. "Nice," he commented. "Again, do it again."
Jonathan snorted. "Nope, this is all you're getting. Aren't you supposed to be past the phase when you're curious about other boys' junk?"
"Aren't you?" Rusty shot back, and his eyes twinkled.
Jonathan looked down and shook his head with mirth. "Touché," he admitted.
"Touché," Rusty mimicked and laughed.
There was something infectious about Rusty and his good mood. Jonathan could totally see why he had no problem whatsoever getting girls. He chuckled, as well.
"So, do you forgive me?" Rusty asked in the same frank way that appeared to define him.
"Sure. All good?" Jonathan felt the need to ask. He truly didn't want Maddox to be on not speaking terms with his best friend. He offered Rusty his hand after the guy stood from the bed.
"Ew," Rusty pulled away, "you just had your hand on your balls."
"I just took a shower," Jonathan protested and then wiped his palm over Rusty's shoulder, making the other snicker hysterically.
"You're nasty, Hamilton," Rusty said.
"Maybe I am."
Jonathan was surprised when Rusty pulled him into a hug. "Be nice to Maddox. Or even nasty a little, if that's what he likes. Just don't hurt him and stuff. Unless he really wants you to."
Jonathan patted Rusty on the back. "I have no intention of doing that."
Unlike the hug Maddox had given him that time, triggering a chain of events that brought them to where they were right now, this one didn't give Jonathan any unfamiliar jolt or the well-known shock of desire. These guys appeared to like hugging a lot. Rusty released him and, for a moment, they stared at each other.
"Can you tell me why you did that, though?" Jonathan asked.
Rusty's shoulders rose and fell, followed by a sigh. "I was drunk, but that's not it. Maddox is into you big time. And he's my friend."
Jonathan didn't pretend to understand what Rusty was trying to get at. "And?" he asked, more and more curious.
Rusty rubbed the back of his neck and seemed uncomfortable for a moment. "I wanted you to punch me so that I could get into a fight with you."
"Oh," Jonathan managed. "Why?"
The mischievous green eyes bore into his. "Can I ask you something, Jonathan?" The rogue seemed serious for a change.
"Sure."
"Don't steal my buddy, 'kay? I mean date him, fuck him, whatever, but let him still be my best friend."
Jonathan didn't know how to unpack that. Was that it? Rusty thought he would steal Maddox as his best friend? "I wouldn't even know how to do that," he replied in all honesty.
"Good." Rusty smiled again. "Cause I won't forgive you if you do. I'll come back for that punch and that fight if it happens."
Jonathan saw Rusty to the door without another word. What was it with these boys and their insecurities? And he thought he was a hot mess.
"See you around, Hamilton," Rusty said.
Jonathan was about to close the door when Rusty pivoted on his heels and faced him from up close. "What now?" he asked, only slightly unnerved by the invasion of his personal space. Slightly, because he was starting to get used to Rusty and his strangeness.
"You're really pretty. No wonder Maddox likes you. And that's some top quality junk down there. Just saying." The last words came with an all-knowing smirk.
