Jason downed the beer and looked out over the lake. The sun was beginning to set and glittered over the water’s calm surface. The scent of cooking meat and the sound of men chatting and laughing filtered in, but he couldn’t pay attention. He couldn’t get Zach out of his mind.
After finishing the last of his beer, he rose to grab another. He stalked across the backyard and caught sight of Jax kissing his husband and for some reason it only added to his disquiet. Grabbing a bottle and flipping off the cap, he drained almost half of it before grabbing another and turning toward his chair.
“Bad week?”
Jason lifted his gaze to Linc’s. “Something like that.”
“Well considering you got here less than an hour ago and you’re holding beers five and six, I’d say it might be something you need to talk about.”
“You keeping track?”
Linc shrugged. “I saw the look on your face when you got here… and sensed something was up.”
Jason rolled his eyes and lifted the open beer to his lips, draining the rest of it. “Time to grab number seven.”
As he turned to grab another, his stare met Jax’s. His brother leaned against the table where the cooler rested, eyeing him. “You’re cut off.”
Jason flipped the cap off the one in his hand and took a deep drink. He glared at his brother, the alcohol making things a bit fuzzy. “Fuck you, Jackson.”
Jax rose to his full height and crossed his arms over his chest. “What did I do?”
“You were just… you. Fucking things that are mine over and over and over again.”
Jax frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Jason drank the rest of his beer and tossed the two empties onto the ground. “Nothing,” he muttered and headed for the lake house.
“Where are you going?” Jax called.
“Away from you, asshole.”
Every step toward the house got a bit fuzzier. He made it inside and somehow landed on the couch, the world spinning. It was still spinning as he sat.
The world grew dark, his lids lowering.
* * * *
“Where are your keys?” Golden asked, shaking a sleeping Jason.
There was no way he was going to let the guy possibly try to get behind the wheel in his condition. If he had Jason’s keys, he could go back outside and enjoy his evening without worrying.
Jason looked up and saw Golden standing before him, a hand outstretched. “He likes fucking my things… maybe I should fuck his.”
Golden’s eyes widened. “What?”
Jason frowned. “I really wanted this one… not like the last time. I really wanted this one.”
Golden sat down beside Jason. “You’re not making sense.” He cupped the side of Jason’s face and turned it toward him. “What did Jax do?”
“He called his name,” Jason said. “His name… his. Why’d he do that?”
“Who did Jax call?”
“No. Zach.”
Golden stiffened. “Did Jax and… Zach?” He swallowed against the fear. He loved his husband… and knew Jax loved him. But his husband had also been untamed and fucked his way across town before they’d gotten together. “Did something happen between the two of them?”
Jason shook his head. “No. I fucked Zach. Or I tried to fuck Zach. Didn’t finish,” he muttered before laying his head back on the couch. “Zach said Jax… when he came. It was me, Golden. It was me. Not Jax.”
Golden gasped. As if he could dislike Zach even more. He’d sent the foreman away from his husband and ended up getting Jason hurt. “I’m sorry that happened.”
Jason smiled. “Why can’t I find a good one like you?” He lifted a hand and cupped Golden’s cheek.
“You will. Someday you will.” Golden smiled. “Now give me your damned keys, you lush.” Jason wasn’t a drinker, not that Golden had ever seen. The last time he’d seen the man a little sloshed was at his and Jax’s bachelor party two years before.
Jason chuckled and reached into his pocket. After fishing around a moment, he tugged them out and handed them over.
“I’m going to check and see if the burgers are done and bring you some food. I bet you haven’t eaten all day.”
Jason nodded before closing his eyes and resting his head back. He’d likely find him in the same spot when he returned. Golden made his way out and flashed Jason’s keys to Jax, who stood off the back porch and away from their friends.
“Good,” his husband said before leaning in for a kiss.
Golden leaned away, and Jax frowned.
“I have one simple question for you, and I’ll know if you’re lying to me.” He eyed Jax close, the porch’s light washing over the man’s face. “Have you had sex with Zach?”
Jax frowned, holding Golden’s gaze. “No.”
Golden released a sigh of relief.
“Where’s that coming from?”
“Apparently your brother and Zach were messing around… and Zach called your name when he came.”
Jax cursed under his breath. “Like we need this bullshit right now.”
“But now do you believe me that Zach has a thing for you?”
“I will concede the point,” Jax answered.
“Maybe he’s not a good fit for JLC.”
Jax shook his head. “He’s a damned good foreman.”
“Who’s causing unneeded drama.”
“It took us a decade to get back to a good place and now this.”
“I’m sure it brought up memories of the past,” Golden said. “He mumbled something about you fucking his things.” He paused. “Which is why I had to ask and make sure.”
“I only have eyes for you, Golden.” Jax leaned down and stole a kiss. “The only times I’ve been with anyone else was with you at my side.”
“In my heart… I knew that. But I had to ask.”
“I know,” Jax said before stealing another kiss. “You knew who I was before you met me. Just know that guy isn’t the same since you came into his life.”
Golden grinned and wrapped his arms around Jax’s neck. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Jax whispered before lowering his head for another kiss.
This one grew heated, and Golden felt his body responding to his husband’s embrace. Before it could go too far, he pushed Jax away slightly.
“Save that for later,” Golden whispered.
Jax growled.
“I told Jason I’d bring him a plate. He needs something to absorb all that beer in his gut.” Golden pressed a quick kiss to Jax’s lips before sliding past him. “Later. I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“You’d better,” Golden said, his body still thrumming with the excitement of what lay ahead. He grabbed a plate and started filling it before walking it back inside the house, along with a cold bottle of water.
Jason lay sleeping on the couch, his big body too much for it. Golden stood there a moment, looking at his husband’s twin. They were identical, in almost every way. Dark haired, muscled, sexy as sin… asleep, he’d even struggle to tell them apart.
Awake, there was no doubt when he looked at them. There was a look of love he saw in his husband’s eyes that Jason didn’t have. Jason deserved to have someone to have that look with.
And if he was drinking himself into oblivion over what happened between him and Zach, it meant one of two things. Either Jason wasn’t over what Jax had done in the past—which Golden didn’t think was the case—or Jason really liked Zach. Enough for a wayward comment to sting this much.
He lowered the plate and bottle to the coffee table and woke the man. “Eat, ya drunk.”
Jason sat up, rubbing his eyes. Golden pushed the plate into his lap and waited a few minutes to ensure Jason had at least a little on his stomach. He reached over for the bottle and unscrewed the cap before handing it over to Jason.
“Better?” he asked after a few more bites.
“Better,” Jason murmured, smiling over at him.
“I’m really good at making things better,” Golden said, his matchmaker vibe kicking into high gear.