Page 100 of Psync
“I think I’m going to turn in, man. Want to have breakfast in the morning?”
“Already? It’s only ten o’clock.”
“I had an early morning.” It was true-ish. Haruka had an early morning, and Eli had woken up long enough to watch him get dressed before going back to sleep for another hour.
What he really needed was to know why his clingy boyfriend hadn’t been texting him all night long. Even when Eli was with Alice and Nate, he still got a reminder to eat or an update on where to meet afterward.
Eli climbed off the bed.
“Wait. Before you go, I want to say something.”
“That’s a serious face.”
“Well, I have a serious thing to say.”
“Well, say it before I get anxious, serious boy.”
“Give me a second, I’ve been working up to this all night, okay?”
“Not making me any less anxious, here.” Eli wasn’t joking anymore. His shoulders were already starting to tense.
“Sorry, it’s just . . . Okay, here goes.” Jace took a breath and let it out. “I like you. No, wait, don’t say anything yet. I’ve liked you since we met, but I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. We lived together and it was really good, so I thought I would be fine leaving it there for a while. Especially since you didn’t seem interested in anyone.
“But finding you with Haruka . . . I can’t help myself. I needed you to know. You don’t have to settle for that jerk—”
“Hey!”
“I’m sorry, but it’s true. He looks like he’s ready to kill someone at a moment’s notice. If you picked me, things would be easy—we would be easy.” Jace finished with a hopeful expression.
Eli was frozen to the spot. This was not how he expected his night to go.
“Jace . . .” What was he supposed to say?
“Don’t answer now. Think about it tonight and tell me at breakfast tomorrow morning.” Jace reached out like he was about to touch Eli’s hand. Eli put his hands behind his back and moved away.
“I’m sorry, Jace, but I don’t need to wait.” There was no contest. Eli wanted Haruka and only Haruka. And he wanted him right now, so he needed to get out of here ASAP—but without hurting Jace’s feelings. “You’re fun and easy to be around, but I need to be with Haruka. I can’t explain it. I just—all I know is that the thought of not having him makes me unable to breathe.”
“That’s not the healthiest sign—”
“I don’t care. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. He takes care of me in a way I didn’t even know I needed. And I take care of him too.” On the outside, maybe they looked codependent, but from the inside, they just made sense. And that was what really mattered—it was their lives after all. Not anyone else’s.
“Eli . . .”
“I’m sorry Jace, I care about you, but as a friend. Only a friend.” Eli reached out, thinking to pat Jace on the shoulder, but stopped. He would only be forcing himself in order to try and make Jace feel better. It wouldn’t feel good for him to do and might even give off mixed signals. It was better for him to be clear. “I have to go now.”
Jace closed his eyes. After a long moment, he nodded. “Okay. I don’t have to like it, but I’ll accept it. Just, if anything goes wrong—anything at all—I’ve got your back. Even if we’re just friends. Understand?”
“I understand.” Eli left the room. As soon as the door closed behind him, he sprinted for the elevator. He’d been surprised enough by Jace’s confession that Haruka should have picked up on at least some of what just happened, but he hadn’t called.
Something was definitely wrong.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Eli
He got to their room in under two minutes, phone in hand, ready to call if he didn’t find Haruka there.
The door slammed against the wall when he opened it, but when he got inside, he found Haruka sitting on the floor, playing his guqin. He looked up at Eli’s dramatic entrance.
