“Come on, Raeken.” Brett dragged out his name in that sing-song way that made Theo’s molars ache. “You’re avoiding the question.”
“I already answered the question.”
“Not really. You just keep saying no. Which,” Brett tilted his head, considering, “kind of makes me wonder.”
Theo narrowed his eyes. “Wonder what?”
“If maybe,” Brett drawled, drawing the words out just long enough to be infuriating, “you’ve never kissed anyone before. And that’s why you’re so against it.”
Brett grinned like a shark sensing blood in the water. “That’s it, isn’t it? Mr. Rational. Mr. I-Don’t-Do-Feelings. You’re just scared because you don’t know what you’re doing.”
Theo’s pulse kicked hard in his chest, not because Brett was right — he absolutely wasn’t — but because the smug look on his face was unbearable and he wanted to punch it. “You’re an idiot.”
“An idiot who’s offering to help you fix that little problem.” Brett scooted closer on the bed, like a wolf closing in. “You should be thanking me.”
Theo barked a laugh, sharp and humorless. “Newsflash: I’ve kissed lots of people before.”
That made Brett pause, just for a second, before his brows lifted. “Really.”
Brett’s grin came back, a touch too wide, like he was trying to mask the flicker of something else. “Who?”
Theo crossed his arms. “None of your business.”
“Oh, it’s definitely my business now,” Brett said, leaning forward. “Come on, Raeken, don’t hold out on me. Who’d you kiss? Some girl from class? Tracy, maybe? Or was it someone from back home? I mean, there’s only—” His eyes narrowed suddenly. “Josh?”
Theo’s jaw clenched. He didn’t answer fast enough.
Brett’s mouth dropped open, his expression flipping between shock and something darker, something sour. “Josh? You kissed Josh Diaz?”
Theo rolled his eyes, heat crawling up the back of his neck. “It was one time.”
“One time?” Brett repeated, incredulous. “When?”
“High school,” Theo said through gritted teeth. “We were hanging out, it just…happened.”
Brett stared at him, stunned into silence for once. Then, slowly, he sat back against the wall, crossing his arms like he was trying not to sulk. “Josh. Huh.”
Theo arched an eyebrow. “Why do you care?”
“I don’t care,” Brett said too quickly, eyes flicking away.
“You sound like you care.”
Theo almost laughed, except he was still trying to process the fact that Brett, of all people, was jealous. Jealous of Josh.
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