Page 30 of Sight Unseen

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. You’re so damn transparent, you should be a pane of glass.”

He sniggered and nudged my arm. “I try to get my point across. I know I’m not subtle.” He came closer to me, as if to hug me again, then drew a startled breath. “God, Nate, you look like shit. What’s wrong?”

I shrugged. “Bad night, couldn’t sleep.”

He jostled my arm gently. “That’s tough. Have you got something for it, some herbal tablets maybe?”

I shook my head. “Nah. I’ll be okay. It’s temporary.”

“Okay.” He sounded unsure. “So are you ready for your excursion to the beach to witness the amazingness that is Cody Fisher become king of the sea?”

I frowned as I threw the cleaning cloth into the sink. “What?”

Cody’s body heat warmed me as he moved closer, both affection and concern in his tone. “You forgot, didn’t you? The big Holden House Charity Surf-off challenge is today. The one where I’m going to kick some ass on my board—do some tricks and make a lot of money? I hope.”

I had forgotten. He’d spoken to me about it a few days ago—a sponsored surfing competition trying to raise funds for the struggling local homeless shelter. With everything going on, it had slipped my mind completely.

I gestured at him. “I’d forgotten. Sorry ’bout that. Give me a minute, and I’ll grab my stuff, then we can go.”

The soft caress of fingers on my cheek stopped me short. “Nate, wait. If you’re not up to it, it’s no big deal. You look bushed. If you want to sit this one out, I’ll shoot by afterward if you like. We can go for a walk, get you some cane practice in. I’ll make sure I leave before Jon gets home so you two can have your couple time. I assume he’s out right now?”

The word “again” didn’t have to be said. I heard the unspoken nuance.

I cleared my throat. “Yes, he’s out. But you needn’t worry about him being here later. He won’t be coming home.”

Cody touched my arm and squeezed. “Oh, okay, I take it he’s staying out.” Once more the again didn’t need to be uttered.

I shook my head. “He’s not coming back at all.”

Cody gasped. “Wait—what?”

I took a deep breath. “He left me the other night. He said he’ll come sometime and fetch his stuff. We’re over. Kaput. Finished.”

Strong, muscular arms wrapped around me and I reveled in the comfort offered in that simple hug.

“Jesus, Nate,” Cody whispered. “I’m so damn sorry. Why didn’t you call me and let me know?” He hugged me as only he could, without reservation; his warm body pressed against my front. I shifted carefully so he didn’t feel what his closeness was doing to me. The last thing I wanted to do was scare him off with a boner.

“It’s been coming for a while,” I said as I basked awkwardly in the hug. “You know that. Jon and I had been growing apart before the accident and since, it’s been worse. To be honest, it wasn’t a surprise.” It was a relief. “And I wasn’t going to wreck your trip with my tale of woe.”

My cock was enjoying Cody’s proximity far too much, and I moved out of the haven of his arms.

“Anyway, enough of my shit.” I moved toward the hall and my bedroom. “You have a competition to win and I want to be there when you do. I’ll get my bag and my cane. Wait here.”

I disappeared before Cody could say anything else. When I returned to the family room, he was uncharacteristically quiet.

“So he’s not coming back at all?” he asked as I searched for my cane by the front door.

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. He was pretty clear.” I sighed. “Besides, I don’t want him back. I’ll be fine on my own.”

There was a huff of startled breath. “Really? Okay. If you want to talk about this later, you know where I’ll be. Here, with you. Because that’s what best friends do when there’s a breakup. Sit and drink beer and watch violent slasher movies, fantasizing the next victim is the ex-boyfriend.”

My throat constricted. “Thanks. I appreciate that. You’re a good friend.”

Cody moved closer, tantalizingly near. “Nate, you and me, we’re family,” he said gently. “I’m always here for you. Except when I wasn’t.” His tone was amused. “You know, like the time we went away to different colleges at eighteen to do different things and didn’t see each other much for four years. But it didn’t mean I didn’t think of you often. I’m always going to be here.”

Leaving each other had been tough, and the reunion when we’d both completed our degrees and moved back to Los Angeles had been a joyful one. I’d missed Cody like hell when we’d both been studying, even if we’d met up when we could, it simply hadn’t been the same.

I picked up my cane and waggled it at him, hoping to alleviate the heavy emotion hanging in the air.