Page 33 of Perfect Storm
“Never,” Levi said, and this smile was slower, more deliberate. Like he knew what calling Aidan that in that particular voice did to him.
Aidan told himself not to flirt back. Failed, immediately. “Is this how it’s gonna be, then?”
The problem was Levi’s irrepressible smile. “God, I kinda hope so. Don’t you?”
Aidan, who had been very sure two months ago what and who he wanted, didn’t know how to answer now. He swallowed hard, painfully aware of how each second ticking by that he didn’t answer made it even more obvious what hedidwant.
“And,” Levi said, leaning a little closer, but not so close there wasn’t plausible deniability they were still being friendly bros, “you were even nice to Nate.”
“Nate’s a nice guy. Why wouldn’t I be nice to him?”
Levi chuckled. “You werejustcomplaining about him. He hit on you?”
He knew Nate was gay. Just like Wes. Like Levi. Dawson was bi, had dated a guy in college. They were living in a brand-new world, full of acceptance and rainbows.
It wasn’t like Aidanhadn’taccepted himself. Hehad,or else he’d have had no business telling Mo he was in love with him or kissing Levi in his kitchen.
“No, of course not,” Aidan said. Nobody knew about him, though. Just Mo and Levi, really. Landry and Riley barely counted—they were family. “Did Nate hit onyou?”
Over the years Landry had been full of stories about what players Levi and Logan had hooked up with. Carter Maxwell was the most infamous of those stories, because he’d made no secret out of the fact that he’d wished he’d gotten the whole Banks set. But Landry had never been into anyone but Riley.
It was not out of the realm of possibility that during an offseason workout or a Pro Bowl party, Levi had hooked up with Nate Bishop.
It had never occurred to Aidan before. Okay, ithad, and he genuinely hadn’t given a shit.
Unlike now, when he wanted to know so badly if Levi demurred, he didn’t know what he was going to do about it. Maybe stomp, pouty and sulking, into the living room, yank the power cord from Nate’s gaming system, and send him on his way.
“Did Bishop hit on me?” Levi laughed, like Aidan’s embarrassing jealousy was actually amusing. “He’s not my type.”
“That didn’t answer my question,” Aidan said, taking another step closer.
This was not plausible deniability. This was not keeping his distance. This was definitely not teammate recalibration.
“Maybe, maybe not.” Levi grinned. “Lots of guys hit on me.” He shot Aidan a knowing look that said, without a single word,and you’re one of them, dude.
Embarrassing, only because it was true.
“What about—”
Levi raised a hand and let it drift down to Aidan’s chest. Pressed into his T-shirt. “I’m gonna stop you right there, bro. How about this, I’veneverkissed anyone in this condo, except—”
“Okay, message received,” Aidan said hurriedly. He didn’t need Levi tosayit, not when he was trying so hard to pretend that it hadn’t happened.
“Wes is cute, but as I’m sure you know, he’s still torn up about his ex.” Levi shot him a frank look. “I know I told you my stance on that.”
“You did.”
Levi nodded. “Anyway, is that what you wanted to know?”
He shouldn’t be so humiliated about his blatant jealousy but it had been obvious. He hadn’t liked the idea that Bishop or Wes or, God forbid, Dawson, somehow between his marriage and his divorce, had hit on Levi.
“Yeah,” Aidan said shortly.
Levi let his hand drop, and straight-up winked at Aidan. “Good chat, bro.”
“Ugh,” Aidan groaned as he followed him back into the living room.
He’d just grabbed another water from the fridge, thinking he’d watch them play a few more rounds before kicking the lot out, when Nate intercepted him. “Flynn.”
