Lost and Found (Twist of Fate #1)(18)

“Great job, guys,” I called out.

“Rappel when ready,” Aiden called to Lucky.

With the way Calvin was eyeing Lucky before he called out “On rappel,” I decided I would keep an eye out for Lucky as the week went by, especially when he was hanging around the larger boy. While I hadn’t faced any acts of violence from the kids at Bennett’s and my private high school, their cruel taunts had left wounds just the same.

When the next two climbers were roped in and on their ascent, I felt Aiden’s eyes on me.

“What?” I huffed. God, the guy just rubbed me wrong, and not just because he was fucking the man I wanted… the man who should’ve been mine.

“Jesus, you’re an ass,” he said.

“Seems to be a popular opinion around here,” I muttered, thinking of Bennett who’d taken some of the boys to a nearby creek to wash their hands and collect water for dinner prep.

“I don’t know what Bennett ever saw in you.”

I felt my jaw tighten and tried to concentrate on the kids above me. “Well, I sure as hell don’t get what he sees in you.”

Aiden barked out a laugh. “Really? C’mon, man. What’s not to love? I’m a catch. Tall, gorgeous, and rich as hell.”

If my teeth ground together any more, they might just break apart.

He continued. “Plus, my dick is fucking huuuu—”

“I get it,” I bit out. “Good for you.”

“And, god, he knows exactly what to do with it too,” Aiden drawled. “The man’s mouth is like—”

“Stop talking,” I spat. “Right fucking now.”

The asshole just laughed. “My, my, aren’t we touchy today? What’s the matter, Xander? Wish you could have a little taste of him too?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I’d had my tongue down his lover’s throat the night before, but I held back.

Just focus on the climbers, Xander. The kids.

I watched the boys and tried to enjoy the feeling of the warm sun on my back and the sound of the cool breeze teasing through the trees nearby. My head was spinning with thoughts, and all I wanted to do was take off into the mountains. Remove the climbing gear and walk away. Hike toward the cool blue water of Elk Lake and up the switchback trail to Fractured Pass.

But I knew I couldn’t. I owed it to Gary. His business depended on clients like Bennett and Aiden’s foundation, and he worked hard all winter to make sure those coveted summer spots were filled. I also owed it to these kids who obviously needed this trip out of the city they’d been stuck in their whole lives. And I owed it to myself to prove I was strong enough to handle all of the Bennett shit without breaking down. Guys like Bennett and Aiden had no control over me anymore.

I took a deep breath and let out more rope.

“So,” Aiden said in a cheerful tone, as if he hadn’t been deliberately baiting me a moment earlier. “Tell me about your friend Jake. Is he single?”

I felt my jaw drop open. Was he kidding? Surely this was more of his bullshit meant to rile me up. “What? Why?”

Aiden shrugged. “He’s hot. Is he gay? Please tell me he’s not the dominant top he appears to be, because I haven’t been able to stop myself from fantasizing about getting in that ass ever since I laid eyes on him at the trailhead.”

“You are the cockiest asshole I’ve ever met,” I said. “Are you for real? I hope you’re kidding right now, at least for Bennett’s sake.”

He laughed. “Oh, now you’re worried about Bennett’s frail heart? That’s cute.”

“Does Bennett know you’re making plans to fuck some stranger when we get back to the lodge?” I asked.

Aiden just laughed and shrugged again. “I don’t need his permission. But, no, I haven’t mentioned my infatuation with Jake’s ass to him. Maybe I could get Jake and Bennett together for a—”

Luckily, the sound of one of the kids reaching the top and asking permission to rappel down kept me from dropping the ropes and beating the fuck out of the asshole. The next hour was spent in virtual silence as the rest of the kids took their turns. Fortunately, Aiden seemed to have gotten a clue and the only times he spoke to me were in relation to the kids and the climb. Once the last kids were down, we spent a few minutes detaching ropes and removing harnesses before I told the group they could go back and start dinner while I removed the anchor ropes up top.

“Want me on belay?” Aiden asked with a giant grin after the last kid walked off.

“Go to hell,” I growled.

Thankfully, Aiden took off to join the rest of the group, but not before shouting to me from the edge of the trees one last time. “Bennett Crawford is one of the best men I know, Xander. And for some strange reason he thinks you hung the fucking moon. Hurt him again and you’ll answer to me.”

I ignored him as I began my climb, but of course it didn’t work because he yelled, “Xander, did you hear what I said?” There was no humor in his voice this time and I knew the warning was just that. Despite all the shit he’d said about pursuing Jake, the edge in his voice told me he’d just as soon beat the shit out of me if I didn’t heed the warning. I wondered why the hell he wasn’t warning me to stay away from his boyfriend instead.