Just Jack Read Online Free

Leo?”
    Despite looking like he’d pissed himself, Leo believed he had control over the lower half of his body. “I think so.” He took Jack’s hand. He was surprised at how chilled the man’s palm was. For some reason, he’d expected it to be warm. He got to his feet with a little help. Jack held on to him, and Leo was grateful. For a moment, he felt lightheaded, but the sensation passed.
    “Okay?” Jack checked and released Leo’s arm.
    “Yeah.” People walked by without particular care, and Leo looked at the sidewalk. There must have been a patch of ice, or maybe he’d tripped on a raised slab. “Thank you,” he said again. “I’m having one of those days. So, thank you for stopping and helping.”
    Jack appeared almost regretful. “I’m glad you’re not hurt. Well, not badly.”
    Leo went to remove the tissue, but Jack stopped him.
    “Keep pressure on it.”
    Leo savored the delicious shiver he got from Jack’s cool touch. “Oh, okay.” He cleared his throat and briefly met Jack’s eyes. It was as if they were alight.
    “Leo!”
    Leo flinched at the sound of his name, and Jack pulled his hand away.
    Oh shit, no .
    “Baby, are you okay? I saw you out the window.” So Mac had watched him leave. He eyed Mac. At least he had all his clothes on.
    Leo briefly looked at Jack and noted the expression on his face. He seemed disappointed.
    “I’m fine,” Leo said and lowered his head.
    “Come inside. I’ll check you over.”
    “I said I’m fine.” He shrugged away when Mac placed a hand on his shoulder.
    “Maybe you should let him,” Jack suggested. He lifted his eyebrows encouragingly. “Get cleaned up properly.”
    Leo checked around him: anyone who had taken an interest in him due to the fall had moved along. He didn’t like the idea of causing a further scene, but he wasn’t going back inside with Mac. There was no way he was about to be drawn into the trap of letting Mac be his friend.
    “Leo—”
    “I said no,” Leo snapped.
    Though Leo had kept his voice low, Mac was clearly surprised by the outburst. “Don’t be like that.”
    Leo closed his eyes. He couldn’t deal with this. If anything, he wanted to crawl into his bed and sleep until tomorrow. He liked the idea of starting over again in the morning.
    “Hey.” Mac grabbed his arm.
    Opening his eyes, Leo looked at Mac. “Let go.” Mac’s grip was uncomfortable, as he had dug his fingers into the top of Leo’s arm.
    Jack stepped in. “Look, I don’t know who you are, but he clearly doesn’t want to go with you.” He placed his hand on Mac’s and Mac pulled away as if he had been burned. “I’ll see he gets where he needs to go.”
    The look that crossed Mac’s face was fueled by anger and suspicion. “And who are you, exactly?”
    “Jack,” Jack said as if it answered Mac’s question.
    “Jack who?”
    “Just Jack.”
    Mac narrowed his eyes. “Well, Just Jack, I’m Mac, Mac Donovan, his boyfriend—”
    “Ex,” Leo interrupted quickly. He looked at Jack, who remained unfazed by the mention of a boyfriend, ex or not. “Ex.” He glared at Mac.
    Looking between Leo and Mac, Jack’s brow creased into a frown. Chances were he was already regretting playing the Good Samaritan in this tale. He looked firmly at Leo. “Do you want to go with him?” Mac moved to interrupt, but without even looking, Jack raised his hand to stop him and asked Leo again, “Do you?”
    The weighty ice-cold feeling was in his chest again. Leo shook his head. Okay, was it right that he felt like some princess whose prince had just swooped in to save her from the big, bad dragon? Leo would never claim to be shy or timid, particularly with his family and friends, but there had always been something oppressive in the way Mac treated him, and damn if he wasn’t feeling it right now.
    “Then that’s settled.” Jack focused on Mac. “He’s coming with me.”
    Curiously, Leo watched as Mac stepped back and visibly shivered. Was Leo