Page 15 of Party of Three

Buckley’s smile got bigger. “Because I’m not sixteen.”

The scathing accuracy of the answer left Jeff’s mouth dry.

“Or it was akeep your friends close but your enemies closerkind of thing.”

Buckley’s slow nod seemed like a mask over a deeper, possibly painful, reaction, but he didn’t seem all that upset. This was definitely the guy you wanted holding your hand in the ambulance after you’d broken both legs.

“So you’re my enemy?” Buckley finally asked.

“Competition, maybe. Or you think so. And you’re wrong.”

“Since we’re doling out assumptions here, I’m going to go ahead and say I think you believe the worst of everyone because it makes you feel like you’re in control.”

“Trust me, I’ve got no illusions about controlling you, firecracker. Mateo says you’re unstoppable, and I believe him.”

“When I think something’s the right thing for someone. For someone I love. That’s why I spent a week trying to find your new address.”

“What’s the right thing foryouthough?”

“I love him more than anyone I’ve ever known, and his life isn’t complete without you. So I want you in it. Regardless of the risks.”

What risks was he referring to, especially since he’d just said he didn’t consider Jeff his competition? He wasn’t about to ask. Describing the risks might make him more susceptible to them.

“You know, this is one of his favorite songs,” Buckley said. “Consuelo Velázquez wrote it before she’d ever kissed anyone. She was twenty. When they asked her how she came up with it, she called it a product of her imagination. He used to play it inhis room when he was a kid and imagine kissing other boys. He calls it his Consuelo Velázquez era.”

“How’d you two meet?” Jeff asked.

“Dating app.”

“Sweet. Traditional.”

Buckley laughed. “What, you thought I met him dancing on a bar?”

“I don’t know. You’ve certainly got the moves for it.”

“Thank you. I guess.”

“The moves he needs, anyway.”

“So he doesn’t get to have the man he worships in his life because he couldn’t bottom for you?”

“Watch your step, firecracker.”

Buckley squeezed Jeff’s palm and smiled. “I’m leading, if you haven’t noticed,” he whispered.

“I’ll tell you what I just told him. I didn’t want to get in the way.”

“I see. So you think you’remycompetition?”

“Before you were in play, there was a serious risk of Mateo giving me something he didn’t want to give ’cause he knew how bad I wanted it. I didn’t want him doing that. To himself or to me. That’s what I think.”

“So when it comes to him, we’re both martyrs, is that it?”

“I prefermature.”

“Uh-huh. So turning your back on someone you love because you can’t own their ass ismature.”

“Lying to get what you want isn’t exactly what I’d call adult.”

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