Pretend

Page 23

“We didn’t get to be properly introduced. I’m Isaac, Mason’s ex-boyfriend and best friend from when he was a child.”
“One of my best friends, but I’m reconsidering. You’re being a dickhead, Isaac. No one is playing a game here except for you.”
“What?” He held up his hands to Mason as if in surrender. “I’m just introducing myself to your help.”
White, hot anger exploded inside Gavin. His hand fisted on the glass. He wasn’t a violent man. Hell, he was pretty easy going, but after the day he had, he wasn’t in the mood to take shit from anyone. Lowering his voice, Gavin stepped closer. “I’m a little more than the help considering where I spent last night.”
As soon as the words left his mouth he wanted them back. Yeah, he’d fucked Mason, but that had been all it was. He didn’t have any claim on the man, and definitely didn’t have the right to be jealous right now.
“Hey, you okay?” Mason asked, concern in his voice.
No, he really wasn’t. It’s the end of his life, Gavin. Give him some peace. Don’t break his heart again. Don’t make him go, fearing for his son…
“Is that supposed to matter? Ask me how many nights I’ve spent with him.” Isaac didn’t back down. The urge to say something else hit Gavin but he bit it back. Mason wasn’t his. Hell, he didn’t know him well enough to want him as his. So, he did what he did best. Kept his mouth shut.
Mason grabbed the cosmo out of his hand and handed it to the waiting woman, who no doubt heard their whole conversation. “On the house, sweetheart.” Mason winked at her. She took the drink and walked away.
He poured whisky in a glass and handed it over to Isaac next. “Go sit down at one of the tables.”
“Are you dismissing me?” Isaac grinned cockily.
“I’m going to kick your ass in a second. Christ, you’re being an asshole on purpose. Go sit down before I make you leave.”
“You always did like being in control.” Isaac winked at Mason, took the drink, and then left for one of the tables.
“Your ex is a charming man.” Gavin made a trip up and down the bar to see if anyone needed a drink. A large group of people had left, so they weren’t quite as busy as they had been.
“He’s used to getting his way, and he likes to rile shit up. It’s just the way it is. I’m more concerned about you, because you avoid confrontation, yet you didn’t back there.”
Was that a nice way for Mason to say he thought Gavin was weak? “How do you know what I avoid and what I don’t?”
Mason cocked that damn brow at him again. It pissed Gavin off that he thought it was sexy. He wanted to be angry right now. He needed to be.
“What’s wrong, man?” Mason asked again. Damned if Gavin didn’t want to tell him. If he didn’t want to share with someone how angry he was. How hurt…
“Can we get a drink?” someone called.
Mason held up a hand, “Just a second.”
“We’re at work. That’s what we need to be doing—working.”
“Gavin.” Mason grabbed his arm. Isaac was right. He did like control.
“I had a bad day. I got a flat tire, and had some shit to deal with. That’s all. Can I do my job now?”
Lucky for him, that answer seemed to satisfy Mason. “That’s all you had to say, teach.”
“And deprive you of the opportunity to push? I’d never do that, boss.”
“That’s what I want to hear.” Mason smiled at him, and then the two of them went back to work. Gavin’s mood didn’t improve but he did a good job at hiding it.
Isaac stayed until closing. Once the bar emptied, Gavin saw him talking with Mason, before he headed toward the bathroom and Mason headed over to Gavin.
He leaned against the counter and crossed his arm. “He’s too drunk to drive. I have to take him home with me.”
A vein pulsed in the side of Gavin’s forehead. “Makes sense.” He moved down the bar, continuing to wipe it down.
“Hey.” Somehow, that one word from Mason had the power to stop Gavin.
“What?”
“It’s complicated with Isaac, but we’re over.”
Some of the tension deflated from Gavin’s body, which then annoyed him. He shouldn’t care. They’d screwed. The end. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“I’m telling you all the same.”
Gavin nodded, more grateful than he should feel. “Okay, then.”