Page 4 of Not Dating Material

“Gay,” he says, looking miserable. “I thought dating older men would cut out the bullshit, but so far, it hasn’t helped.”

“Why?”

“Because either they know more bullshit, or … let’s just say I moved for a reason, okay?”

“Ah, but now you’ve gotten me curious.”

“Says the guy I found tied naked to his bed.” He laughs and stands, and for the first time since he’s moved in, I check him out properly. He’s a cute little thing, kinda like my foster brother Xander, only Molly’s tan and has light muscles to Xander’s thin frame.

“Fair point.”

Molly gets all the way to my door before he pauses again. “I know we’re not friends, I guess. But if you need to talk—”

“Noted. Oh! And, hey, please don’t mention this to the others.”

“Why? I thought you knew everything about each other.”

“And we do, but …” My eyes flick up to meet his soft ones. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I get it.”

“Thanks. And really, Molly, I owe you.”

Chapter 2

MOLLY

“How are you settling in?” Madden asks from his yoga mat on the grass beside me. Only when I shift into downward dog, I don’t realize I’m setting myself up for a front-row view of his legs in the air, ass spread open.

I sigh. “Aren’t you afraid of getting skin cancer in your crack?”

“Nah, five minutes of sun a day is good for the soul. The ass-soul.”

“What did you do during winter?”

“Same thing.” He lifts his head to grin at me from between his legs. “I just had to recover my balls when I was finished.” Those same balls that I’m trying very, very hard not to notice right now.

Madden and I went to college together, and even though he was better friends with my bestie, Will, we haven’t lost contact since. So when I called him one night after an epic fuckup that was totally my fault, he suggested I pack up my life and move across the country for a fresh start.

It feels like I’ve run away from all of my problems, but my hometown was feeling too small. Too stifling. I had no idea what I was moving to, but I’ve only been here a few weeks, and I already know I’m going to like it.

Madden lets out a long groan and releases his ankles, feet dropping back onto the mat. “Can’t help but notice you avoided my question about settling in. Anyone giving you shit?”

I laugh and straighten, stretching out my back before sitting down cross-legged beside him. “Nothing like that. I’m just very much the outsider here. I feel like I’m living with someone’s ghost.”

Madden frowns. “What the hell does that even mean?”

“Like … the room was always Gabe’s. He’s gone now, and Christian’s traveling. Rush is …” I pause, not even sure how to describe Rush. “Unpredictable with when he’ll show up. Seven and Xander are like …”

“Brothers?”

“They seem closer than that.”

“It’s not romantic if that’s what you think.”

“No. And I know. I actually think it’s super sweet, but like, you all have your place in this house. You all fit. I’m not saying I don’t appreciate being here, because I definitely do. I think it’ll just take some adjusting.”

“That’s what I love about you, Mols. Always so positive.”

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