“Is that code for hot threesomes?” Jace lifted his brows and Nolan laughed. Maybe things would be okay after all. “Or maybe more with the rest of that crew of yours?”
Laurel slapped him on the shoulder. “I do not want to know about my brother’s sex life, thank you.”
“You can tell me later.” Jace high-fived James, who promised to kiss and tell.
Nolan did not need to hear about that steaminess right then. Not with Laurel and Jace nearby and his emotions still sort of ragged. “I’ll walk you out.”
James hugged Laurel and then Jace too. While he seemed surprised at first, his stiff arms embraced James after a second. James patted Jace’s back, then whispered something Nolan couldn’t hear. Jace nodded and smiled. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime. See you two tomorrow. Nolan, walk me out?” James waved as they slipped out the door and headed for James’s ridiculous, pint-sized, neon-green electric car, which seemed like it belonged on the crowded streets of Europe or something rather than in the parking lot of a badass motorcycle shop.
“Sorry that didn’t go the way you hoped.” James winced.
“Win some, lose some.” Nolan shrugged, though he wasn’t as unfazed as he tried to act. He’d started to think there was something magical about Middletown. Everywhere he looked, people were happy, in love—with more than one person even—and he’d started to believe maybe he’d get lucky enough to stumble across his perfect people too. “Thanks anyway for all you did organizing everything and picking it up.”
“No problem.” James hugged Nolan as warmly as he had Laurel and Jace, squeezing him tight before pulling away. “Give them time, Nolan. They’ll learn who you are, but you’re going to have to be patient or you’ll scare them away.”
Could James tell how attracted he was to both of his temporary roommates? And was he going to rat Nolan out to their boss? He’d have to be more careful to hide his feelings when they had no place on the job. “I’ve got an assignment, and that’s all I’m worried about here.”
“You’re cute when you’re in denial.” James rolled his eyes. “Maybe I’m going to go make a bet with Sola like the one you made with her about Aarav. It’ll be easy money.”
Nolan’s eyes bugged out. “Don’t.”
“Just kidding. Your secret is safe with me.” James winked. “Besides, you couldn’t handle her ragging on your ass like you do to her.”
Fuck again. Nolan realized in an instant that his teasing might not be quite as hysterical as he’d assumed. Not when there were real feelings involved. The stakes somehow seemed higher. It wasn’t funny. So he swore then and there he’d never make a joke of the smoldering tension between his co-workers—Sola and Aarav or Marcus and Kennedy, for that matter—ever again.
“I might not be perfect, but I hear you and I’ll work on it,” Nolan promised James.
“Good. Because if anyone upsets my sister, they’re going to have to answer to me.”
Nolan coughed, hoping it disguised his chuckle, because he didn’t put it past James to make his life miserable in the most resourceful ways possible. He held his hands up, palms out. “Got it. Loud and clear.”
“Perfect. Have a good night!” James gave Nolan one of his patented finger waves, then flounced down the path, humming the song Jace and Kason had co-written the day before.
9
Jace stretched. When Laurel hummed in her sleep and snuggled closer to him, he kissed her forehead, then disentangled them before she roused fully. His raging erection would be impossible to hide. It had been more than two weeks since they’d started sharing this new, unsaggy, and broken-spring-free bed. He’d been playing music with a mega-star every day and getting paid more in a month than he had in a year at his old gig. For cake work at that. Doing something he loved and occasionally answering questions from Nolan, James, or Jordan that had the potential to shaft someone evil, who deserved everything karma could send his way.
Jace had never felt so well rested or invigorated in his whole life. Damn it, he was…happy.
Even if he knew better.
This wasn’t going to last forever. Learning from an expert in the field he would sell his left nut to be part of for the rest of his life, who also turned out to be a seriously awesome guy, was lucky enough.
Hanging out with their personal bodyguard who was as easy to talk to as he was to look at was a hell of a bonus. Especially when the same guy took damn good care of Laurel so Jace could concentrate on music.
Nolan accompanied her on her shifts at Devra and Morgan’s diner, where they apparently had grown even closer. Jace caught the looks they passed each other when they all gathered around to eat leftovers from the restaurant for dinner and he couldn’t deny that he’d shared a few of them with Nolan himself.
They passed the time they weren’t working geeking out over the stash of board games they’d discovered inside the weathered trunk that doubled as a coffee table. And when Laurel and Nolan had busted Jace trying to cheat the night before, they’d dissolved into a pillow fight and tickle fest that had nearly led to an entirely different form of entertainment.
Winded, laughing, and completely at ease, they’d collapsed into a tangle on the thick rug on the living room floor in front of the fire. Jace admitted to himself he’d been disappointed when Nolan roused him and carried Laurel to their bed.
He would have gladly traded a crick in his neck today for spending the night with the three of them camped out together. It was dangerous territory, flirting with the invisible boundaries he’d always maintained with Laurel and was now erecting between them and Nolan, too. Damn, he couldn’t risk letting their attraction compromise the extra layer of security Nolan provided for Laurel.
Not because she was incapable of looking after herself, but because Jace felt better knowing someone else had her back while she was out of his sight. Otherwise, he’d ask her to stay, and she would even if it meant she was bored out of her mind while he was ignoring her all day. At least until she began to resent him for it.
Despite the chemistry the three of them had oozing between them, Nolan always showed Laurel the respect she deserved, never once trying to peep on her getting changed or taking advantage of his authority. No bullshit like that.