Blindsided (Fake Boyfriend #4)(57)

“Uh, can you stop saying my full name like that?” I ask. “It’s weird. Call me Talon.”

Maddox lets out a little “Squee,” but I think it’s by accident. He whispers something to Damon, and Damon nods.

“Go. Have fun.”

Maddox puts his hand on my shoulder and pushes me through the crowd.

“Uh, I wasn’t really looking for a hookup,” I say.

“Single guys are always looking for a hookup.”

Before we disappear, I turn back and give Miller eye contact. He has a reserved smile, and as if we’re already having those voodoo-reading-each-other’s-mind thing couples have, I know he’s telling me it’s okay to humor Maddox. Or at least I hope he’s saying that.

After the PT conversation Miller and I had, it feels wrong flirting with someone else, because we’ve set our hard limits. I’ve never had that before—where I don’t see a point in flirting. Maybe it’s because in the past I’ve always kept my options open. Since Miller’s come back into my life, my options are definitely closed to everyone but him.

“Damon doesn’t care if you flirt with women?” I ask Maddox.

“Why would he? He knows I’m only ever coming home to him.”

Huh. I guess that’s what complete trust looks like. “How long you been together?”

“Twelve months? I think. Around there. I dunno, we’re not keeping track.”

Is that how long I can expect to get to that place with Miller? Then again, I have no clue where we’ll be in a year. If we were to get to that point, we wouldn’t be able to live together without people getting suspicious. What kind of millionaires have roommates?

“Want to play a game of pool instead?” I point to the pool tables at the back.

Maddox turns and cocks his head. “Sure.”

He continues to eye me as we head over and interrupt a game with two other guys. One thing I love about my celebrity status is getting my way when I want it.

It only costs me a selfie to get their table.

Again, I glance back at Miller, and I wonder if he has the telepathic thing too when I send him a “Look, I’m being a good boy” vibe.

When he smiles at me from across the room, I turn away again, only to be met with Maddox’s inquisitive stare.

Maddox pulls out a stick from the holder while I rack up the balls. “So, you and Miller are good friends?”

“The best. We went to college together.” It’s not until the words are out of my mouth that I begin to wonder if I’ve screwed up somehow, because Maddox’s eyes widen before he schools his reaction.

Then he throws me some forced nonchalance while nodding once and saying “Cool.”

I can’t explain my unease as we play.

Maddox scrutinizes me and not in the “I can’t believe I’m here with Marcus Talon” way like he did as soon as he saw me. Then there’s the way he looks at me. Like I can hear his thoughts: I know your secret.

The paranoia makes my ears burn and my chest tighten.

I don’t know how this stranger could possibly know for sure, but it’s a feeling I can’t shake. So much so Maddox kicks my ass at pool when I’m usually the kicker of asses.

“Another game?” he asks.

I smile, but it’s tight. “Actually, I might go grab a drink.”





Chapter Twenty-Two





MILLER





When Talon approaches, his skin pale, I have no idea what the fuck happened. He nods in the direction of the entrance of the bar, and I follow him out.

The cold night air hits us, and I shiver because I didn’t pick up my jacket.

I shove my hands in my pockets of my jeans. “What’s wrong?”

“Does Maddox … did you tell Maddox? About …” He glances around the street, but no one’s paying us attention. We’re right near a subway station, so it’s busy, but everyone’s going about their own business. “Us.”

“I told him about me, but I never mentioned you specifically. I said my straight best friend kissed me but didn’t give specifics.”

“That Maddox guy? Not dumb. He knows.”

“Oh.” I don’t know how I feel about that. “What’d he say?”

“Nothing.”

“Then how—”

Talon’s face is red, but I don’t know if it’s because he’s angry, embarrassed, or just cold from the frigid air.

“Don’t ask me how I know. I just do. It’s obvious in the way he stares at me. All smug and knowing and shit.”

I try not to smile. “Annoying, isn’t it?”

Talon cocks his head at me, and I realize now’s not the time to joke.

“And are you freaking out that he knows or that it could get out? I don’t know him very well, but I trust him. Jackson trusts him.”

Talon still seems unsure, so I take my phone out of my pocket and text Maddox.

He appears moments later with both our jackets.

I can’t get mine on fast enough. “Thank fuck. I’m freezing my nuts off.”

“What’s up?” Maddox asks. “Is this about you two fucking around, because you’re not exactly being subtle about it.”