Page 77 of Shades of Henry
Jackson chuckled. “Yeah, I can see why that might be important. But it’s not like that’s the only apartment in the complex, right?”
Henry stared at him. “What?”
Jackson just rolled his eyes and then worked really hard to keep them from fluttering shut.
“Go to bed,” Henry said softly. “We’ll stay here until Ellery gets home.”
“Fuck,” Jackson muttered. “Fuck this shit. Fuck it to hell. I’m so done. And no, Junior, I don’t need help getting to bed.”
But Henry was already on one side, helping him up. “Sure you don’t.”
“Most days aren’t like this,” Jackson insisted. “This is the first bad day I’ve had since—”
“Since Friday when you almost died,” Henry nagged. “Yeah, I get it. Now get your ass into bed and don’t let your cat eviscerate me.”
“Well, don’t get too familiar with my cat and he won’t get ideas,” Jackson told him peevishly. Lance had gotten up and was on his other side, waiting in case Jackson suddenly needed him. He didn’t, but he did sink gratefully down on his bed when he got there. Billy Bob, his tattered three-legged Siamese cat, was lying on the coverlet, looking affronted when Henry pulled it back so Jackson could lie down. “I’m fine,” he grumbled, even as Henry tucked him in.
“You’re a pain in the ass,” Henry told him. As he turned away, he saw Billy Bob butting his head against Jackson’s chin. Without a word, Jackson lifted his covers and the cat wiggled in, then curled up against his chest, licking his chin as Jackson fell asleep.
“Aw,” Lance said as they emerged from the room. “What a sweet animal.”
“That cat scratched up my face, you know. I tried to be nice to him, and he jumped on my head.”
Lance raised an eyebrow in pure skepticism. “I remember the scratches. What did you do to the cat?”
“Nothing,” Henry muttered. “I pet him. I swear to God.”
“I don’t believe you. But did you hear what he said?”
“Yeah, he said don’t get too familiar with the cat.” Which made Henry sound like some sort of pervert, and he was not pleased.
Lance snorted. “Come sit down. No, not on the other side of the couch—next to me. I know we’re babysitting, but we’re adults and even teenyboppers get to feel each other up in front of the TV.”
Henry rolled his eyes. “Teenyboppers? Are we in our forties now, Lance? Is that what people our age call kids these days?”
Lance shut him up with a kiss. “I’m serious. Because your friend, who is feeling like complete crap, by the way, just dropped an amazing idea in our laps, and I would like to talk to you about it.”
Henry snuggled closer. “Can’t we make out first?”
Lance kissed him, hard enough to make Henry’s head swim and his nipples point and his cock stand up and take notice. Then Lance pulled back and glared at him.
“What?” Henry mumbled. “Wha’d I do?”
“We’re not having sex on a stranger’s couch,” Lance told him. “And we’re not going into the guest bedroom either. Are you horny now?”
Henry leaned his forehead against Lance’s. “Yes!”
“Well, we’ll probably find a way when we get back to the apartment because I’ve already made it clear that I have no shame when it comes to you. None. I’m a big doormat.”
Henry almost choked. “Thatis hilarious. Oh my God, if you were a doormat, I’d have spikes in my feet.”
“Henry!Do you want to hear this idea or not?”
Oh please. Like Henry hadn’t seen the idea too. “You want to rent an apartment in the same complex. I’m not stupid, Lance.”
Lance seemed to deflate a little. “But… why aren’t you excited about this idea? And by the way, I wasdying,trying to figure out how to keep an eye on the guys while we got some privacy.”
“I’m not stupid, but Iambroke. Remember? I don’t make half the rent. Even if Ellery can scrounge up some money for me, I’ll be going to school. I’m stuck on that couch until I get a job that pays!”
