Chapter 18 - Craig

Three weeks had passed since Craig had arrived in Dekalb. Three weeks of rest, relaxation, and stealing glances at Jack whenever Jack wasn’t looking. Try as he might to stop himself from looking, Craig was drawn to Jack in ways he couldn’t justify. Whether that meant working together with him in the kitchen to prepare meals, helping out around the house with chores, or taking him up on offers to go out, Craig was glued to his friend’s side.

He often thought about the way Jack’s body had felt against his. Craig remembered the silken touch of Jack’s cock and the grip of his hand. When he lay in bed at night, alone, those thoughts returned to him in troublesome ways.

Craig found himself hard and flustered on more than one occasion. And when he remembered how Jack had coated his cock with cum and worked it over their dicks like lube…

Craig blushed. He leaned against the deck railing behind Jack’s house, watching as the guys from the duplex chatted and laughed.

If he kept thinking thoughts like that, he was going to find himself in a very compromising position.

Jack was hosting a barbecue. According to the guys, it was a typical summer occurrence. Now that summer was tapering off into fall, Jack’s famous barbecues would decrease in frequency until the cold winter months hit. Craig had come to stay at the right time.

Jack stood at the grill, supervising the hot dogs. Lane leaned against the deck railing beside the grill, arms crossed in a relaxed manner. They chatted and joked freely, and if Craig hadn’t known better, he’d have thought they were involved. A twinge of jealousy struck, but he pushed it aside. Lane was married to Craig’s cousin, Roman. Even if he wasn’t, it wasn’t like Craig had any right to say who Jack could and couldn’t date.

They weren’t involved. Craig had made a mistake—nothing more.

Roman, one of the SEALs he used to work with, Brad, and Brad’s husband Dylan sat at a picnic bench. Roman and Brad cackled about something while Dylan looked embarrassed. Craig figured they were laying into him.

Lane pushed off the railing and approached. His lips were curled playfully. “Hey, cousin-in-law.”

“Hey,” Craig said. He wasn’t used to being one of the guys, and he found himself momentarily distrustful of Lane. “What’s happening?”

“You’re standing here all on your own,” Lane said. “Why don’t you come stand by me and Jack? At least then you can feel like you’re a part of the conversation.”

Craig cradled Isaac in his arms. He’d been staying away from the barbecue because he didn’t want to risk Isaac getting a lungful of smoke or gas, but Lane’s invitation was tempting. Even though Craig felt uneasy around Jack after what had happened, he wanted to make things right. Jack was his best friend, and Craig genuinely enjoyed spending time with him.

These last three weeks had been the happiest of his life.

“You think Isaac’s going to be okay?”

Lane scrunched his nose. “What? Do you think Jack’s going to throw him on the grill or something? Of course he’s going to be fine. He’s welcome to join us, too.”

“All right.” Craig cast one last glance toward Roman, then followed Lane to stand by the grill. As he approached, Jack turned his head and smiled at him. It wasn’t fair the way something so simple could light up Jack’s face.

“Good to see you coming over,” Jack said. “I thought you were going to spend the entire barbecue on your own.”

“I’ve got Isaac for company,” Craig defended.

“Babies aren’t good conversationalists.” Lane stuck out his tongue. “It’s great being a dad and all, but you should probably talk to some adult people sometime. You know. For your own sanity.”

“Don’t be too hard on him,” Jack chided. “He’s trying to lay low for a while.”

“I know, I know.” Lane waved him off. “We’ve been nice so far. I think all of us have done a really good job at keeping quiet.”

Craig looked between Lane and Jack. “… Good job at keeping quiet?”

Lane blushed. “Jack may or may not have told us to butt out for the last three weeks.”

“I figured you’d value some peace and quiet,” Jack said. He moved the hot dogs from the grill onto a plate. “I asked the guys if they wouldn’t mind keeping a low profile. After the whole thing with Roman that happened on day one—”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Craig said, interrupting. He rocked Isaac tenderly. He was flattered, but he could have handled himself.

“I don’t think you understand what kind of shenanigans happen here in this community,” Lane said with a wry grin. “We can get pretty rowdy sometimes. It’s probably for the best Jack told us to butt out or we’d be showing up all over the place.”

“… You would be showing up all over the place,” Jack said flatly.

Lane shrugged.

As they spoke, Craig couldn’t help but smile. It was nice to know that he was valued and accepted here. Everyone had been stellar about Isaac, and no one had any hard feelings toward him despite his recovering relationship with Roman.

Jack had to have had a hand in that.

“But, I guess it’s not such a big deal now that we’re having this barbecue. All of us get to meet Isaac, and I think that’s all any of us really wanted, anyway.” Lane winked. “And now that you guys are settled and feeling social, how much longer are you planning to stay?”

Craig hadn’t discussed the duration of his trip with Jack. Not in detail. They’d talked about a few months, but Craig felt that number wasn’t sticky. He could go home now if he wanted, and he had a feeling Jack would let him stay for a few more months if that was what Craig needed. Jack was back to work now, but Craig didn’t mind the empty house.

It was kind of nice to be alone with Isaac with no one else to interrupt.

“I’m not sure,” Craig admitted. “A month? Maybe a little more or less?”

“We’ll play it by ear,” Jack said.

“Mm. Well. A month isn’t all that long, I guess.” Lane snagged one of the paper plates from the tray beside the grill and helped himself to a few hot dog buns. “He can wait.”

“He?” Jack asked.

Lane took the tongs from his hand. “Mmhm. Since I haven’t been able to pop over and see you, I’ve had a bunch of free time on my hands. I’ve been diligently networking with some of the eligible bachelor soldiers in Fort Bragg and—”

“Whoa.” Jack held up a hand. “Back up. What?”

“I met someone I think would be a really good fit for you,” Lane said. He beamed. “His name is Warren.”

The hairs on the back of Craig’s neck stood on end. He shifted Isaac’s weight, trying to mask how uncomfortable he felt.

“Warren?” Jack knitted his brow. “Really?”

“I didn’t pick his name,” Lane said. “But he’s sweet. Muscles for days, these crystal blue eyes, auburn hair that’s stunning…”

“What are we talking about?” Roman asked. He joined them at the grill. “And why did no one tell us over at the table that the food’s ready?”

“We’re too busy talking,” Lane said. “I’m telling Jack about Warren. Remember, I was telling you about him the other day? How sweet he is?”

“Oh. Jack’s future boyfriend.” Roman snorted. “Yeah, I remember.”

Jack closed the lid of the grill. He turned to face the group. Craig read the discomfort on his face easily. “I’ve already told you guys that I’m not interested in dating right now.”

“Why not?” Lane asked. “Before Craig came to stay, you were living all alone. That has to be lonely.”

“Because I don’t want to rush into anything,” Jack said. Craig thought he saw Jack glance in his direction, but he couldn’t be sure. “If I wind up with someone, I want it to be because I actually like them, not because I’m lonely or desperate.”

Something a lot like hope welled in Craig’s chest. Jack spoke with purpose, the hidden message intended for Craig’s ears. In his own quiet way, he was telling Craig that what they shared had meant something. Jack wasn’t looking for a rushed relationship or a quickie.

Craig shouldn’t have felt good about it, but he did. Jack cared for him. That was a lot more than Craig could say about Cecilia.

“That’s why you’re going to date him instead of hook up with him,” Lane said. “He seems like the sweet type, if you can believe that. A real softy behind his stern demeanor. I’m pretty sure he’d be all about dating you. A long, slow-burn relationship. The kind that makes you fall so deeply in love that there’s no way you’ll ever get out.”

“I… no thanks.” Jack shook his head.

Lane puffed his cheeks in anger. “Really?”

“It’s sweet you’d go so far out of your way to introduce me to men, but if I want to find somebody to share my life with, I will.” Jack plucked a paper plate from the stack and passed it to Roman. “You found your happily ever after all on your own, after all. I don’t need bad matchmaking to help me out.”

“I’m offended.” Lane pouted dramatically and lifted his chin. “My matchmaking is only bad sometimes. Right now, it’s pretty spot on.”

“Cut him some slack, Lane,” Roman said. He kissed the top of Lane’s head as he passed him by on the way to the food, and Lane melted. “No is no. You know that.”

Craig watched the whole exchange in a daze. The discomfort he felt manifested into nausea.

“Besides,” Jack said. “As long as Craig’s here, I’m definitely not going to be bringing any guys home. He deserves that much respect.”

“If it’s only a month, Warren will wait for you.” Lane waggled an eyebrow. “I think he was interested.”

Jack’s face fell. “You showed him my picture?”

“I might have shown him your Facebook.”

“You are the worst friend, Lane.”

“Or the best. Probably more like the best.” Lane winked. “I bet your friends don’t hook you up with hot chicks you’re compatible with, do they, Craig?”

“They don’t.” Craig’s gaze lingered on Jack. He read the tension in Jack’s shoulders and the flightiness in his eyes. “I do have some incredible friends, though.”

Jack met his eye. The connection only lasted for a second, but it was staggering in its intensity. Craig’s heart skipped a beat. His body urged him to close the distance between himself and Jack.

Jack wasn’t the kind of friend who would set him up with women. Jack was the kind of friend Craig wanted to fall into bed with.

God, it was wrong. It was wrong to think that way. A cold sweat broke out along the back of Craig’s neck. He stepped away to lean against the railing again.

“Hey guys,” Roman called, breaking the moment. “Food’s ready.”

The ensuing chaos was enough to take Craig’s mind off his racing heart. He focused his attention on Isaac and waited for the crowd to pass. Once it had and all the guys were settled, he helped himself to what was left.

Jack stood by the grill, and as Craig served himself dinner, Jack leaned in close.

“If they’re too much for you to handle right now, let me know and I’ll get them to knock it off,” Jack said.

“Too much for me to handle?” Craig gave him a little look. He held back a grin. “You were the one who was suffering through that conversation. I thought for sure you were going to implode from embarrassment.”

“Oh. No. It’s Lane. I know what to expect from Lane.” Jack bumped their shoulders together. “You don’t. At least, not so much.”

“I think I’m starting to learn,” Craig said. He didn’t let slip that what bothered him about the conversation wasn’t so much Lane’s enthusiasm and relentlessness, but the topic. “I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“Hey!” Brad called from the picnic bench. “Are you two coming over or what?”

“On our way,” Jack answered. More quietly, so only Craig could hear, he said, “And thank you for letting me have everyone over. It really does mean a lot.”

“Your house, your rules,” Craig said.

Jack shook his head. “Your vacation, your say.”

“It feels a lot less like a vacation and a lot more like I’m at home,” Craig admitted. He didn’t realize what he’d said until Jack smiled at him. It was a simple, charming kind of smile. The kind that lit Jack’s face up the best.

The rest of the night was spent in good company. They laughed and joked about everything and nothing. But the best company of all was Jack, whom Craig caught looking his way every now and then. Whenever their eyes met, a shiver ran down Craig’s spine that he couldn’t explain away.

Frankly, he didn’t need to explain it. Craig already knew what it was.

Against all odds, he was falling for Jack. He’d found someone who cared for him. Now he wanted something more. That craving would go unfulfilled. Craig’s future didn’t have a same-sex partner in it.

But even if it was only for a little while, he allowed himself to pretend otherwise.