Page 11 of Holding On to a Hero
Just as I started worrying about why ex-actors who were secretly gay but definitely weren’t single could possibly be hitting on me, footsteps sounded on the front porch. Shit, Jason! As the front door opened, I jerked my arm out of Cole’s hand. I grabbed my mug as an excuse and looked at Jason upside-down from my position on the floor.
Jason was carrying my camera bag, tripod and camp stool. He paused in the doorway and looked between Cole and me. “What’s going on? Why are you on the floor? Cole, what did you do?”
Chapter Seven
Cole
Busted! Dammit. Jason totally could tell I’d been flirting with Will.Distract, distract!“It’s my fault. I told Will we researched his background.” I turned to Will, still on his back beside me. “I really am sorry, Will. We should have tried to get to know you instead.”
Will played right into my hands. “Cole, I told you it’s fine. I do understand.”
I put my hand on Will’s bicep. Nice. He must work out. “Do you mind if I let Jason know what you don’t want us to ask you about? Just so he doesn’t stick his foot in it like I did?”
Jason finally closed the front door behind him and set Will’s belongings down in the entryway. He started walking toward us as Will replied.
“I’ll tell him.” Will looked upside-down at Jason. It was pretty sexy, especially when he was lying right there on the floor within touching distance.
Will said, “I just told Cole that I don’t like to talk about the yacht accident.”
Jason had reached us. He looked sympathetically at Will. “I understand. That’s your business and we won’t pry.”
“Thanks.” Will appeared to relax.
“But, um, why are you on the floor like this?”
“Will messed up his back getting away from the porcupine, and this is the best way to get it to relax.”
Jason moved to sit on the couch behind me so he could look at Will more easily. He pulled me back between his legs. “I want to hear about this porcupine. Is the brandy I can smell supposed to be helping with Will’s back?”
Will gave a bark of laughter. “That’s all Cole’s doing. I was just along for the ride.”
“Hey!” I protested. “It did help relax your muscles and we both needed something after the scary porcupine incident!”
“What? You saw a porcupine in the wildlife preserve?” I should have known Jason hadn’t been listening when we were on the phone earlier.
“See one? Will had one practically in his lap! Tell him, Will!”
Will told Jason about the porcupine. I added color commentary, which was sorely needed since Will was downplaying the entire thing.
“So then Cole invited me over so I could lie down and let my back unclench.” I snorted into my mug.
“Unclench!” I chortled at my brandy.
“I was going to go back for my stuff later.”
Jason lifted one auburn eyebrow. “So Cole put brandy in the coffee and then later just cut out the coffee?”
Will made a shruggingWhat can you do?gesture. I grinned at him. “We were having a great time!”
Jason suggested, “Why don’t I make us some lunch? That will help soak up the alcohol.” He stood up and started for the kitchen.
Will looked chagrined. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to stay this long. I’ll get out of your hair right after lunch. My back is feeling better and I should be sober enough to drive by then.”
This wouldn’t do. “Will.” I touched him on the bicep again. Jason’s were my favorite, but I hadn’t seen Will’s without his shirt on yet. “I invited you over. I’ve enjoyed your company, and Jason will too. You haven’t overstayed your welcome.”
“That’s right,” Jason interjected. “Cole and I are perfectly capable of throwing out people who irritate us. You can stay as long as you like.” I wiggled my eyebrows at Jason. He was so flirting with Will. Could Will finally be the someone we could invite to join us in bed for real? I needed to get Jason alone to discuss it.
“Well, thanks. I do have some stuff I was supposed to do this afternoon though.”
