Page 39 of The Truth of Our Secrets

This night is so much more than I could’ve imagined. The entire day has been surreal. Starting with Jayce’s panic attack. He’s not the sort of guy I would suspect of having anxiety. From the outside, he has everything. He was a pro athlete, has a beautiful wife who loves him, and must be doin’ good from the looks of this apartment.

He screams All American Guy. The son every parent wants, or the guy their child brings home to meet them.

His sexuality is definitely flexible. His reactions prove I turn him on. Seeing this new side of him does things to me.

I adjust my semi under the table. My belly’s full of our stir-fry, and this meal is a thousand times less painful than the first one we had together.

“Leave the dishes here,” Madyson announces. “Let’s sit together in the living room.”

I trail behind them, the perpetual third wheel. I sit in a club chair so I’m not tempted to touch them.

“Oh, let me grab my phone. I’ll show you the promo spot Britt put together. We can watch it on the TV.” She hits a button, and a painting slides to the side to reveal a TV.

I whistle. “Fancy.”

Jayce chuckles. “I like my tech, and she loves her art. A TV ruins the aesthetic.” He uses air quotes, so I assume those are Madyson’s words.

“Good compromise. The key to a great marriage,” I say and want to punch myself in the face. Like I have a clue about marriage.Fucking idiot.

Madyson returns and can’t get her phone to sync with the TV. She slides onto Jayce’s lap. “Come over here and we’ll watch it on my phone.”

I don’t move. Apprehensive about being that close to her. Close to him.

They’re a happy couple and I’m a dude from the past forcing my way into their lives because I can’t let go of my schoolboy crush.

I don’t trust my dick not to get a full rager being squeezed next to them. The two-seater couch isn’t meant for two men the size of Jayce and me.

Madyson pats the seat next to her. “C’mon. Don’t make me wait.”

Fuck it. I’m going to hell.

I don’t even care right now.

Sliding in next to her, I turn sideways so I’m not taking up too much space and I can see her phone.

She hums a sigh and Jayce rests his head on her shoulder.

She hits play and Jayce’s handsome face takes over the screen. If I hadn’t seen his suffering in person, I’d never be able to tell.

Fuck, I hope they’re not watching me in the video looking like a little schoolgirl fawning up at her idol.

“I told Jayce you guys look great together. What do you think?” Madyson turns to face me. We’re so close that our lips are inches apart. I can’t breathe.

Her phone becomes my lifeline to sanity. When I speak on the video, I fear video Jayce will become annoyed. It’s the opposite. As if he’s not aware the camera captures his response to me.

It’s too unbelievable to assume his reaction is grateful, or his eyes show lust.

I’m seeing what I want to see.

Madyson nudges me and I realize I haven’t answered her, but I can’t remember her question.

She swings her head so her hair drapes over my arm. Then she levels me with her dancing eyes as a smile takes over her entire face. She’s irresistible. I’ve always wanted to trace the freckles across her nose with my finger or tongue. I’m not picky.

“Your expression says it all.” She taps my nose like I’m a child as she laughs. “My God, you have no poker face. Don’t ever go to Vegas.”

I frown and even Jayce snickers. “She has a point.” He shrugs.

“I think you two are more alike than not.” Madyson wiggles around in Jayce’s lap so she’s sideways and can see us both.

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