Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“The hot dude with black hair and a white T-shirt.” Jude beckoned to white-T guy, who was eye-fucking Sid blatantly now. The guy’s eyes lit up and he approached like a panther stalking prey.
“Hi.” He leaned in close to make himself heard. “You looking for a third?”
“We’re not together,” Sid said.
“Even better.” White-T guy put his hands on Sid’s hips and moved even closer. He glanced at Jude. “You mind if I join you?”
They danced like that for the next song. Sid looked in heaven sandwiched between them, and the whole thing was pretty fucking hot even though Jude wasn’t in the mood to hook up. The chemistry between Sid and white-T guy, whose name was Leon, was off the charts, and it was impossible for Jude not to pick up on that. He drew back to adjust his boner, and that was when he realised he was being watched by someone else.
Someone familiar.
His heart skipped a beat.
Shawn stood on the edge of the dance floor, studying the three of them, his expression stricken. His gaze locked with Jude’s and they stared at each other. Jude froze, a lone statue in the sea of moving bodies. He let his hands drop by his sides.
“What’s the matter?” Leon asked, frowning.
“Huh?” Sid turned to see Jude’s face. “What’s up, Jude?”
Jude found his voice. “Uh… nothing. There’s just someone I need to talk to. You guys have fun.”
He broke away and left them to their dancing. Walking across the dance floor, his heart pounded faster than the bass and his palms sweated. He held Shawn’s gaze. Shawn’s face was tense, and for a moment he looked like he was going to turn and bolt. But he stood his ground. Jude’s mind turned over with possibilities, trying to think of explanations for Shawn’s presence here. He tried not to let his hopes rise too much.
“Hey,” he said when he reached Shawn.
“Hey.” Shawn’s lips moved but Jude could barely hear him over the music.
He moved closer and put his lips near Shawn’s ear. “What the hell are you doing here?” He caught the scent of Shawn’s skin; it sent a powerful surge of longing through him.
“I don’t know,” Shawn replied. “It was stupid. You’re obviously busy. I should go.” Bitterness bled through his voice like acid. “I’m sorry to have interrupted your little threesome. And here I was thinking that Sid was my only competition.”
With that, he drew back and turned away, heading towards the exit.
“No!” Jude ran after Shawn and grabbed his arm. Anger ripped through him at Shawn’s dismissive words, but the hope was still there, burning brighter by the second. “Don’t be an idiot. Fuck! It’s too noisy in here for this. Come this way.” He pulled Shawn through some double doors into a hallway. It was a little quieter there and less crowded, although a few groups of people hung around chatting and a couple were making out in the corner.
He squared up to Shawn again. “I was just dancing, for fuck’s sake. I already told Sid I’m not interested in hooking up tonight. Anyway, what is it to you? If you came here to say something to me, fucking say it, Shawn!” His voice rose and a few people around them turned to listen.
They stared at each other. Shawn’s brow furrowed and he set his jaw in determination. “Okay.” He swallowed; his gaze flickered around nervously before settling back on Jude. “I came to tell you I want to go out with you. Date you. Be your boyfriend… lover, whatever you want to call it. And I’ll tell people we’re together. Maybe not everyone immediately… can you give me time to tell my family? But we don’t have to keep it a secret from our friends.”
Jude gaped at him. This was more than he could possibly have hoped for. He’d expected some sort of jealous outburst, maybe a plea to start something up again, but he’d never dared to hope that Shawn would be ready to make those kind of promises. “Are you sure?” he asked urgently. “What’s changed since last week?”
Shawn shrugged. “I realised I was being an idiot and I don’t want to lose the chance to be with you—if you still want me?” He waited, hope and uncertainty in his eyes.
Jude realised all the other conversations around them had ceased. Even the couple in the corner had stopped snogging and were watching them. Everyone was poised, waiting for him to answer.
“Yes,” he said, and he could almost feel the collective sigh of relief around him. “Yes, of course I still want you, you twat.”
Someone snorted with laughter.
Elation bubbled up, and a smile spread over his face to match the one dawning on Shawn’s. “And it’s fine for you to tell your family in your own time. That’s not my business. I’m sorry if I made it sound like I needed you to be out to everyone. I don’t. Just… you know. Our housemates would be a start.”