Kate Sherwood - Dark Horse 2.2 - Head Shy Read Free Page B

Dan ignores it for a few breaths, but Jeff just waits, and finally Dan turns and braces his forehead on Jeff's chest. One of Jeff's hands comes to rest on the back of Dan's neck, and it's familiar, and comforting. Dan feels Jeff's kiss on the top of his head, and moves slowly, twisting his head around and then tilting it back until he lines their mouths up and Jeff leans in for another kiss, this time on the lips. He pulls away just enough to be able to whisper, and Dan can feel him more than hear him ask, "So, a few questions? Okay?"
Dan forces himself to nod, and lets himself be guided over to the

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    couch. Jeff sits down first, one foot on the floor, the other along the back of the couch, and then he gently tugs Dan down to sit in the V of his legs, leaning his back against Jeff's chest. It's become their default position for any serious talks, and Dan likes it; they're close enough that Dan can feel Jeff's warm strength, but he doesn't have to look him in the eyes, doesn't have to open up more than he wants to. He nestles in, lets Jeff's arms wrap themselves around his chest, and then there's a noise in the doorway, and they both look over to see Evan standing there, dressed in sweat pants and an undershirt, looking awkward.
    "Oh, hey. Sorry… I, uh…I was just checking in. But I can come back…." Evan waits only a second for a response, then starts backing away.
    Dan surprises himself by speaking up. "No, wait." It doesn't seem right to shut Evan out of this, somehow, even though he's willing to go. "We, uh… Jeff was just gonna ask me a bunch of totally invasive questions, I think. Could be a good time… you should stick around." Dan is actually feeling a little queasy, and Evan is obviously aware that things are not as light as Dan has tried to make them sound. He stands in the doorway, indecisive, and Dan tries to smile. "Seriously, man… get some beers, we'll make it a game of 'I never'."
    Evan still looks unsure, but he steps further into the room, and holds up the hand that had been hidden behind the door frame. It's holding three bottles of beer, and Dan's smile is real. "You're a natural, man. Too bad Jeff vetoed the Wild Turkey talks, or I'd be telling you my darkest secrets in no time."
Jeff's arm tightens a little around Dan's chest. "You can tell us anything you want to, Dan, even if you're sober."
     
Evan's watching this as he comes into the room, and he grins at Dan,

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then looks at Jeff. "Yeah, it's the 'wants to' that's the problem, Jeff. Drunker he is, more likely that he'll want to."
     
Jeff shakes his head. "We can do this without the booze. And if we can't, we can just wait until we can."
    Dan and Evan exchange a quick look, and Evan gives the hint of an eye roll. Dan grins in response; he's glad Evan's here—he feels like an ally. Dan tucks his feet up a little, making space at the end of the couch, and Evan moves down there and sits in a mirror image of Jeff's pose. Dan extends his feet, grins a little at Evan's expression as Dan's toes nudge in under his ass. "Comfy?" Dan asks.
Evan shifts his weight, slides forward a bit, and wriggles. "Oh, yeah."
    Jeff pulls Dan back a little, kisses his temple. "Okay, we all good?" Dan nods, and tries not to let Jeff feel his body tensing up. Jeff runs a hand down Dan's chest. "Okay, well…." He pauses, and Dan turns half way around. There's a long pause. And then Jeff giggles. Dan shoots a look at Evan, then turns the rest of the way around and stares at Jeff, who is still giggling, almost cackling.
"Jeff?" Evan sounds like he can't decide whether to be amused or concerned. "Dude?"
     
Jeff looks up and shakes his head. "I'm totally blanking. I can't think of a single goddamn question."
    The other two just stare at him. Evan breaks first. "Oh, you're fired, dude! That's it… no more 'Wise Jedi Master' bullshit from you… you're done."
Jeff shakes his head. "You think so, Padawan? You think you're

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