Page 20 of Deadly Promise
Before Hayden could take another bite of his burger, Preston materialized before them, deviled egg platter balanced on his palm like an offering. With ceremonial precision, he deposited two more pale yellow monstrosities onto Hayden’s plate with serving tongs.
Fuck.
“That’s... thoughtful,” Hayden managed, eyeing the distant trash can longingly. He glanced up to find what felt like every man at the cookout watching him, like they were waiting for him to brave the culinary disaster.
In a desperate move, Hayden forced himself to sneeze. His plate tumbled dramatically, his perfect burger making the ultimate sacrifice as it face-planted into the grass, baked beans creating abstract art across his jeans.
“Smooth,” Liam murmured then announced loudly, “That sucks.”
So did his performance.
“Don’t worry.” Preston patted Hayden’s shoulder. “I’ll make sure to send some home with you.”
Glancing around, Hayden spotted men quietly snickering. Everyone except Zeppelin, who seemed really into his ribeye, his plate conveniently lacking eggs.
“Thanks,” Hayden grumbled, appetite suddenly gone.
Liam set his empty plate aside with a satisfied sigh. The mountain of food had vanished with surprising speed. Did he have a bottomless gut?
“The sun is already setting," he said, nodding toward the purpling sky. “Those mountain roads aren’t something you want to tackle in the dark.”
“I can handle driving after sunset.” Hayden flicked some beans from his pant leg.
Liam shook his head. "Not these switchbacks. You’ve got options. Crash here or let me drive you both home.”
“Then how would you get back?” Hayden glanced up, eyebrow lifting. “Maybe have Aiden follow us so you’ll have a ride.”
“You’d make us brave those death-trap curves twice?” Liam pressed his hand to his chest, expression wounded. “And here I thought you actually liked me.”
From the other side of Liam, Teagan leaned forward, eyes meeting Hayden’s with unmistakable uncertainty.
The kissing had been one thing, but overnight was clearly another matter entirely. They needed to talk, just the two of them, before any decisions were made.
Standing, Hayden grabbed Teagan’s hand. “We’ll be right back,” he said to Liam.
The guy had the nerve to wink. Did Liam know how sexy he was when he did that? With a shake of his head, Hayden led his boyfriend out of earshot.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of…” Teagan gestured toward Liam, who was trying, and failing, to look as if he wasn’t listening. Thankfully they were too far away for him to hear them.
“What about the roads?” Hayden asked. “We got lost twice during the day. What if we get lost in the dark and make a wrong turn, then we’re careening off the side of a cliff to our deaths?”
Teagan twisted his lips to the side, giving Hayden a knowing look. “Why not add a fiery explosion followed by an alien invasion?”
Hayden felt his cheeks heat up. “That obvious?”
“Any more transparent and you’d be made of glass.” Teagan crossed his arms, gazing past Hayden, his brows furrowed. “What if he wants to have sex? Then what? I mean he’s a great kisser, though not better than you, but isn’t this going too fast?”
“You’re right.” Hayden’s shoulders slumped. “It’s just that…” He waved his hand at his chest. “Do you feel it in here?”
Teagan took his time thinking about the question. “From the moment we parked at Frothy Pine,” he admitted. “I was about to follow right behind you, but I felt like I was being sucked into his orbit. What do you think that means? Don’t you find it weird we’re both frothing at the mouth over a complete stranger?”
Honestly, Hayden hadn’t given it much thought. Once Teagan had agreed to see where things would lead, Hayden had been all gung-ho to find out. “I mean he is hot.”
“Hayden.” Teagan sighed. “Be serious. Even now, I have an overwhelming urge to run back to him and crawl into his lap. That’s not normal.” He glanced toward the grass. “What does that say about us if I’m this attracted to him?”
“Hey.” Hayden slid his finger under Teagan’s chin, lifting his boyfriend’s head until they were staring into each other’s eyes. “Nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever make me stop loving you, Teag. You think I would throw away twenty years with you over some super-gorgeous guy with a body I want to sink my teeth into?”
Teagan gaped at him and then snickered. “You’ve got to kiss him. It’s an experience that’ll stay with you forever. Or at least for a few hours.”
