“I mean, it doesn’t add up,” Breck continued. “Didn’t he know?”
“Didn’t he knowwhat?”
Breck grinned and held his gaze. “That hot as fuck Japanese-Brazilians don’t come along every day.”
Kai quirked a brow. Put down his chopsticks. Cast him a look. “Are you fetishizing me?”
Breck stilled, then tensed all over. “Shit.God,no,” he sputtered. “I—”
“I’mkidding,” Kai laughed. “And thank you kindly. That was quite the compliment.”
Another of those smiles tugged at the corner of Breck’s lips. Just like that, the air between them settled back to easy.
“In all seriousness, though... What happened?” Breck asked again. “Between you and your man. How come it didn’t work out?”
“Hmm.” Kai looked away. Did he want to explain? Not really. But Breck had been open about his life. It seemed only fair. Formulating his words carefully, he dragged a hand through his hair. “Let’s just say that… with Ryan… ambition became a double-edged sword.”
Breck frowned, clearly not understanding. And Kaireallyhad no desire whatsoever to elaborate. All things considered, there was a very real chance that Breck would end up taking Ryan’s side. If that was the case, he supposed it was better to hear it now, instead of down the road.
“Ryan wanted to be a model,” he began, “so New York City was the place to be. He kept bugging me to go with him, and though I didn’t want to, I finally did. We got moved in. A tiny place in Manhattan. In the beginning, it was cool. I didn’t mind it. But then he started coming home later and later after modeling class. After-hours parties every night of the week. At first, he’d bring me, too… but then… not so much. He started making headway, getting noticed, landing gigs. I was so fucking proud of him… but then he stopped taking me to his public events. One night, I came home early from work… and found him in our bed with two of his model friends.”
Kai feigned a smile. “Ryan hadn’t loved me. I’d merely been his support system as he climbed his way to the top.” He chuckled darkly. “That and the total dumbass willing to shoulder all the rent. I’d been happy to do it, though. Ryan was paying for schooling. I’d thought we were a team, but looking back…” He shrugged. “Everything hadalwaysrevolved around him. We hadn’t been buildingourfuture together, he’d been building his.”
Breck didn’t respond for a long, quiet moment.
Kai’s stomach clenched. He’d said too much. Should’ve kept his mouth shut and—
“That dude,” Breck stated, “is afucking idiot.”
Kai eyed him, heart clenching in his chest. Breck didn’t seem to be sympathizing with Ryan at all. Was it possible he wasn’t like him?
Kai offered a smile. “Junin toiro. Ten persons, ten colors.” When Breck stared at him blankly, he laughed. “A Japanese expression. Means to each their own.”
“Oh… Yeah, I guess,” Breck muttered.
“Besides, at the end of the day, it taught me a lot.”
“Like what?”
“Well, for one, that I’m better off without him.”
Breck liked that answer, going by the smile on his face. “I’d have to agree.” He took another bite—then abruptly moaned. “Goddamn. This salmon.” His eyebrows furrowed. “Fuckin’ melts in your mouth.”
Kai grinned and picked his chopsticks back up. “Next time, I’ll make you sushi.”
Breck slid him a look, something glinting in his eyes, as if maybe helikedthe idea of there being anext time. “Sushi, huh? I’m detecting you’re big on seafood.”
“I am.”
“Well, FYI, I’m not a fan of uncooked fish.”
“Ever try it?”
“Nope. And I don’t ever plan to.”
Kai laughed. “I’ll start you off with something tame.”
Breck smiled. “As long as tame equates to the opposite of raw.”