Korey knew he was alone before he opened his eyes. It wasn’t the yawning sensation of Zeke’s powerful presence missing from the bed as much as it was the smell of coffee wafting through the house. A smile pulled at the corners of Korey’s mouth. Zeke didn’t drink coffee. That meant he’d made it for him. Korey stretched, reveling in the ache in his muscles. He didn’t want to think. If he did, he’d wonder where they were headed from here or if last night had been a fluke. Would Zeke kiss him good morning or pretend nothing happened? Korey wasn’t sure he could go back to acting as if Zeke wasn’t the love of his life. What other choice did he have if Zeke didn’t acknowledge what they’d done? None whatsoever. Zeke took care of him in every way. It wasn’t like Korey could get angry and walk away. Zeke held all the cards. So much for not thinking.

Giving up, Korey rolled from the bed and headed for his room. The steam from his blazing hot shower cleared his head. He would follow Zeke’s lead and hope for the best. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to look as sexy as possible in the meantime. Korey chose his outfit with care and made sure his hair was perfect. He’d wanted Zeke for long enough he’d mentally noted each time the man’s gaze had lingered longer than usual. It happened more often in a certain pair of jeans. Korey pulled them on. He might not have the right words or a leg to stand on, but Korey would fight with what God gave him.

With a deep breath for courage, Korey headed for the kitchen. It was empty. Korey’s hands shook as he poured himself some coffee. Fuck. He didn’t want to search the house like a desperate stalker. Instead, he leaned against the counter and sipped the warm liquid while doing his damnedest to think of nothing. He didn’t taste a thing. Korey was too nervous.

Zeke finally cleared the door, wearing a faded red t-shirt that hugged his muscles and worn jeans that cupped his every asset. Korey almost choked on his drink. He swallowed hard to keep from falling into a coughing fit. Zeke didn’t look his way.

“I thought I’d drive you to school.”

Korey gripped his cup between his hands and willed Zeke to look at him. “Okay.”

Zeke glanced at the clock. “You might want to hurry. It’s almost time for your Psych class.”

Korey thought he’d prepared for this. Zeke’s refusal to look at him hurt more than expected. “All right.” Korey set his cup aside and grabbed his stuff while keeping his gaze carefully averted from Zeke. The pains in his chest might be a heart attack, but probably not. He worried if he kept staring at Zeke while Zeke made a show of not looking his way, Korey might die.

Zeke led the way to his black Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Korey watched the man’s ass.

Zeke tossed a glance over his shoulder but didn’t meet Korey’s gaze. “If you find out your test results today, text me and let me know.”

“Okay.” Fuck. It was like Korey only knew two responses. He’d sworn he’d deal if Zeke pretended nothing happened. Now that the time was here, Korey could barely breathe past the pain. The ride to school only took fifteen minutes. It felt like hours in the uncomfortable silence. Korey never once glanced Zeke’s way. His gaze stayed glued on the road, seeing nothing. All his concentration went to breathing. By the time Zeke pulled into the parking lot, Korey was ready to leap from the car. His hand was on the handle before the Jeep rolled to a stop.

“Wait,” Zeke said, snagging Korey’s arm before he could slip from the vehicle. Hope exploded through Korey’s chest at the first contact of skin on skin. It died a swift death at Zeke’s pained expression. “Look, last night was a mistake.”

Ouch. “I see.” That was a lie. Korey saw nothing.

“When you moved out here to go to Stanford, your mom had just passed. Then, Charlie died. You moved in with me, and I just think you haven’t had time to get out there. Do things. I’ve done everything. So, last night won’t happen again. Okay?”

There were no words. Equally, all oxygen seemed scarce. He already knew everything Zeke said without the recap of how much he’d lost. Korey didn’t need the reminder he was alone in the world. Most of all, he didn’t need the revelation that Zeke didn’t belong to him in any way either. Korey feared if he opened his mouth, all his pain would pour out and drown them. Instead, he gave Zeke a sharp nod and walked away. It seemed he needed to make new plans for his life. Plans that didn’t include Zeke.

* * *

Korey didn’t show after school. The more minutes that passed without Korey appearing in his usual chair, the more violent Zeke’s strikes against the punch pads Maverick held became.

Maverick shook out his hands. “Damn, Zeke. What’s gotten into you today?”

“Nothing. I have a match in two days. Put your hands up.”

Maverick tucked the punch pads beneath his arm and shook his head. “If you’re bent on hurting yourself before making it to the cage, you can get someone else to help with that.”

Zeke fought the urge to put his fist through the wall. The image of Korey’s devastation after Zeke’s speech this morning wouldn’t leave Zeke’s head. Now the man hadn’t shown for his ride home and Maverick was pissed at him. All he ever did was fuck things up.

Giving up, he headed for his locker and dug out his phone. Maybe something happened and Korey had called. There were no messages or missed calls. Zeke texted him. He didn’t want to leave and miss him.

Zeke: Where are you?

Thankfully, Korey responded right away.

Korey: Home. I had some stuff to do, so I caught the bus.

Zeke: Okay. I didn’t want to leave here and you show up needing a ride.

Korey: Nope. I’m good.

Zeke: I’ll see you in a few. What would you like for dinner? I’ll pick something up.

Korey: I won’t be here for dinner, but thanks.

He wouldn’t be there? Korey was always there. Zeke shoved his phone in his bag and headed for the door. He needed to get home. Something was going on, and Zeke didn’t doubt for a second it had everything to do with last night. His goddamn dick always got him in trouble. He should never have touched Korey. Zeke rubbed the spot in his chest that ached at the thought of losing Korey from his life. Last night had been the greatest night of his life. He wanted to rush home and kiss Korey again and beg the man to give him everything. That wasn’t fair. Korey should hear it all and then decide if he still wanted Zeke. Zeke shouldn’t have touched Korey without all his cards on the table.

He drove home faster than necessary. Thankfully, he didn’t run across any police. His car barely stopped rolling before he was out and headed inside the house. At the first sight of Korey packing, Zeke knew he’d been right to rush home.

“Where are you going?”

Korey startled, clutching his heart. “Holy crap. Make some noise next time. You almost gave me a heart attack.”

He still wore the jeans Zeke loved. They were slightly worn and cupped Korey’s ass. As always, Zeke forgot all the reasons they shouldn’t be together while staring at Korey. “You didn’t answer me. Where are you going?”

Korey’s gaze skirted away. “Out.”

“You need an overnight bag to go out?”

Korey’s chest expanded. His gaze found Zeke’s. “I accepted Maverick’s invitation to go to Vegas. We’re leaving later tonight.”

Zeke blinked while trying to control his temper. He cleared his throat before responding. “You didn’t want to go with me?”

A muscle jumped in Korey’s jaw. “I don’t want to be someone’s mistake. So far, Maverick has been straightforward about what he wants. I’d prefer to go with someone who won’t regret me.”

“Maverick will break your heart,” Zeke said with more spite than he intended. Zeke could never regret Korey. He equally couldn’t believe the man would leave his bed and head straight for another.

“He won’t be the first,” Korey shot back. His mark hit home.

Zeke couldn’t stop. “Maverick only wants one thing.”

Korey shrugged. “At least he wants me and doesn’t see me as a naïve child. He doesn’t look at me and see an obligation to my brother.”

“It sounds like maybe you should go live with Maverick and he can support you while you finish medical school.” As the words left his lips, Zeke regretted them, but he didn’t stop. He didn’t know how one person could be so goddamn blind. Did Korey honestly think Zeke had kept him around all this time for Charlie’s sake? He could’ve set Korey up in an apartment and checked on him every few months.

Instead of flying into a rage, as Zeke would’ve done in Korey’s place, Korey dug through his stuff and came out with his checkbook. He scratched something on the paper before tearing off a check and handing it over. Zeke reached for it without thought. He glanced at the check. It was for fifty thousand. His brows snapped together. “What’s this?”

“It’s what’s left of Charlie’s life insurance money. I’ll have my stuff out by the end of next week.”

“This money is supposed to keep you in books and whatever else extra stuff you need for school until you graduate.”

Korey shrugged as he snatched up his overnight bag. “Now it’ll go to cover having me under your roof the past two years. I’m sorry I stayed where I wasn’t welcome. If I’d been in my right mind when Charlie died, I might’ve realized it sooner.”

Zeke’s temper shot through the roof, making his earlier outburst seem minuscule by comparison. “You know good goddamn well you have always been welcome here. Take this.” He tried handing the check back. Korey sidestepped him.

“I don’t know anything anymore.”

Zeke ripped the check to shreds and tossed it at Korey’s chest. “You’re the smartest goddamn idiot I’ve ever met.”

Korey finally snapped. He tossed his bag aside. “No shit, Zeke. You think I don’t know that? I’m the one who sat around here for two years, waiting for you to notice I fucking love you, while you were wishing I’d figure out I’m a goddamn burden. Tell me what you want because I can’t pretend anymore. I want to be with someone who wants me too. I don’t want to be someone’s mistake.”

Zeke’s brain didn’t move past Korey’s claim of loving him. His mouth opened. No sound emerged. He snapped his teeth together.

Korey snorted. It was an ugly sound. “That’s what I thought,” Korey said, scooping up his bag, obviously intent on leaving. Maybe Zeke didn’t have Korey’s courage with words, but that didn’t mean he didn’t feel. Unfortunately, by the time his brain found an argument, Korey was gone. Zeke raced through the house. He made it to the garage in enough time to see Korey pull away. The most ridiculous thought hit in his time of desperation. He should’ve bought Korey a new car while he’d had a chance. Korey had a brake light out.

* * *

Ugly rage mixed with crippling pain to wreck Korey’s mind. He drove with no real destination in mind. Vegas was no longer an option. Maverick was Zeke’s friend. The only way Korey would ever get past this was to cut all ties. He couldn’t leave Maverick hanging, though. That wouldn’t be fair. He equally couldn’t back out of something as huge as a trip to Vegas via text. That wasn’t cool.

With a sigh, he changed lanes and headed for the address Maverick had given him. Korey tried like hell to keep his mind blank. He was half a breath away from falling apart. Since Charlie’s death, Zeke had been Korey’s rock. Now there was nothing standing between him and the massive loss. Despair was a tidal wave waiting to drown him. Each breath came harder than the last. Korey tried counting backwards from a hundred while measuring his breaths. A set of townhomes came into view, making Korey realize he’d somehow made it to Maverick’s without dying. He found building R and pulled into a parking spot next to a familiar-looking red Dodge Ram. For a moment, he stared at nothing and absorbed the silence of the night. The last thing he needed was to fall apart the second Maverick opened the door. Korey squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to clear the haze coating them. It didn’t help. Everything hurt.

Fuck it. He needed this chore done so he could find a quiet place to fall apart—no witnesses. He eyed the yellow siding of the two-story buildings. It seemed like a quiet place. He wondered if they had anything available for rent. Korey snorted. He probably couldn’t afford it. Even if Zeke never accepted Charlie’s life insurance money, fifty thousand would only last him so long without a job. He still had years left of school. Between interning, studying, and a million other things he had coming his way, there was no way he could pay his bills by himself. All that bullshit paled in comparison to the destruction Zeke had wreaked on his heart. He was in tatters. Concentrating on his monetary problems was the only thing keeping him sane. Korey stopped outside Maverick’s door. After bending at the waist, Korey braced his hands on his knees and sucked air. Hyperventilating was right around the corner. He could feel it. Everything looked insurmountable and piled on top of losing Zeke. Korey couldn’t deal. Everything hurt. He straightened, determined to get through this life. As his knuckles skimmed the door, Korey tried swallowing down his pain. He half expected to choke on it.

The door swung open. Maverick was shirtless. Korey almost forgot why he was there. Damn. Maverick was beautiful. Maverick eyed Korey while wearing a self-satisfied smile. He motioned Korey inside. “Come in.”

Korey waved off the suggestion. “No. I can’t stay. Sorry. I hate doing this on such short notice, but I just stopped by to tell you I can’t go to Vegas with you this weekend.” Korey couldn’t meet Maverick’s stare.

“That’s okay. Are you all right? Would you like to come in?”

Korey imagined he looked every bit as broken as he felt. He couldn’t even work up a lie. “No. I have to find a new place to live before it gets too late.”

“Damn. That doesn’t sound good. Come in. You can stay with me until you’re settled.”

Despite the shit night he’d had, Korey managed a smile. He finally met Maverick’s stare. “I couldn’t, but thanks.”

Maverick snagged his arm and dragged him inside. “I wasn’t asking. No offense, but you look like hell. Zeke would kill me if I let you drive away this upset.”

Korey tried going back out the door at the mention of Zeke’s name. “Fuck Zeke. He doesn’t care about me, and I don’t need anyone telling him where I am.”

“Nope,” Maverick said, blocking his exit. Korey might’ve tried pushing his way out, but then he would’ve had to touch Maverick’s sexy bare chest and that couldn’t happen. “You’re staying,” Maverick said, sounding firm. “I didn’t say a word about telling Zeke where you are. You’re a grown man. He doesn’t need to know where you are at all times.”

Maverick’s words had the tension draining from Korey’s shoulders. He nodded. “Thanks. It’s been a rough day. If you’re cool with me crashing on your couch, I’d be forever grateful and out of your hair in the morning.”

Maverick motioned toward the couch. “I have a guest bedroom and you’re not in my hair. Things haven’t exactly been great for me either today. You’re doing me a favor by agreeing to keep me company.”

Even though Korey felt certain Maverick was only placating him, he was too upset to care. He moved to the couch and sat. “Why was your day bad?” Korey needed to concentrate on something other than his issues.

Maverick chose the opposite end of the couch and kicked his feet up onto the coffee table. For a moment, he stared into space, looking thoughtful. Korey’s breath stuttered as he caught a glimpse behind Maverick’s usual cocky mask. He was broken. Just like Korey.

Maverick shook his head. “It’s nothing.” He flashed Korey a smile. “Tell me about Zeke. I know he didn’t put you out, so why are you looking for a place to live?”

Korey dropped his head back on the couch and eyed the ceiling. Without thought, he crossed his arms over his chest to protect his heart. No matter how hard he searched his mind, Korey couldn’t think of a place to start that didn’t make him sound like a damn fool. “I put myself out,” he said finally. “Zeke never would’ve done it and it needed to be done.”

“How long have you been in love with him?”

Korey blinked back tears at the question. Damn, it hurt. A snort escaped him. There was no sense in lying. Everything was lost. “Since day one. God,” Korey breathed. “I’m such a dumbass.”

“No. He is.”

Maverick’s claim had Korey meeting the man’s gaze. He needed someone to tell him he wasn’t being childish or stupid.

Maverick didn’t let him down. “A man like Zeke doesn’t keep someone around and give them as much as he’s given you unless he wants something in return. The way he watches you, I’d say he wants everything from you.”

Korey snorted and went back to staring at the ceiling. “He’s already had all of me. Now he’s over it.” There was no sense in playing the innocent at this point. “Fuck.” He needed to move on. He met Maverick’s gaze. “If you already knew about Zeke and me, why did you ask me to go to Vegas with you?”

Maverick eyed him, going as far as to tilt his head to one side, looking for something only he understood. “I think we’re a lot alike, and maybe we’d be better together.”

“Better than what?”

A sad smile touched Maverick’s lips. “Better than with someone who’s never been told no. Someone whose money has bought them whatever and whoever they want. Just better,” Maverick said, sounding sad. He looked away and crossed his arms over his chest, mimicking Korey’s heart-shielding pose. “Yesterday... I don’t know. I saw something in you.” He shook his head and flashed Korey a sad smile. “Never mind. You’re hot. We’re young. Why don’t we go ahead and hit Vegas? You can leave before Zeke’s fight, and get your things out while he’s otherwise occupied. I’d make it worth your while.”

Despite everything, a smile tugged at Korey’s lips. “I’m tempted to take you up on that just so I’ll stop feeling like I’ve been kicked in the balls.”

“Let’s do it then,” Maverick said, shifting to his feet.

“But,” Korey said, stopping him. “That wouldn’t be fair to you.”

Maverick’s usual cocky demeanor returned. “Babe, I’m eyes wide open and willing.” His smile slipped. “You’d be helping me too.”

A loud sigh escaped Korey. He had a bad feeling he would regret this one day. “All right. Let’s go,” Korey said, coming to his feet. It wasn’t like he had anything left to lose. Zeke had already stolen everything from Korey a long time ago.