Somewhere To Be Read Online Free Page B

their cozy kitchen and boxing up food for hungry patrons, with his wages all going toward rent. He refused to move back home. He was just thankful to be away from Steve.
    Still, Jamie was once burned twice shy, and even though he liked Nick a lot, he was nervous. Skittish. Ready to jump ship at the first sign of trouble.
    He yanked himself out of the trip down memory lane and focused on the traffic news and the clock, ticking past 3:00 p.m. now. He was beyond bored, and the radio was doing nothing but frustrating him further, so he jabbed the off button, and when the phone rang he snatched it up without hesitation, just thankful for the break in monotony.
    “Jamie,” said a smooth, low voice.
    Jamie froze and tried to swallow.
    “Just calling to see how you are.”
    Jamie hadn’t thought he’d hear from Steve again, and yet here he was. Still that calm voice, polite but with a slight edge.
    He realized he’d been quiet for a while now and forced himself back into motion. “I’m fine. What do you want?” he asked, sounding a little pitiful, truth be told. Like a defiant kid.
    “Jamie, really.” Steve all but tutted. “I’m just reaching out to old friends. Call it holiday nostalgia. You know how I get.”
    The smile on his lips was evident from his tone of voice, and Jamie flinched at the implied familiarity. Yeah, he knew how Steve got.
    “Sure, of course. Well. I’m fine.”
    “Mmmhmm. As you said. Not going to ask how I am?”
    “Okay. How are you?” Jamie dropped his head, resting his forehead on the cool leather wheel, wishing he could just hang up. But that was childish and played exactly into Steve’s game.
    “I’m doing well, Jamie. Admittedly, I do miss you, though,” he said softly. Imploringly.
    “Oh,” Jamie croaked out. “I—”
    “Don’t you miss me, even a little, Jamie?” Steve asked.
    “No, not really,” Jamie mumbled, wishing he could grow a spine and say it like he meant it, but Steve had always made him like this. He hated it.
    “No, I guess not. Too busy with your new muscle, hmm? What’s his name? Nick?”
    Steve’s voice took on a sharp edge, and Jamie jerked upright in his seat.
    “How do—” he began haltingly.
    “How do I know? About you and he? His name? All of the above?” Steve laughed a little. “Ask Nick about me,” Steve purred. “I wouldn’t expect the truth from him, though, but let’s just say I don’t exclusively go for Asians.”
    Jamie blinked rapidly, mouth opening and closing without much by way of sound. Steve and Nick? Steve and Nick? It was such an unlikely pairing; or was it? Steve was pretty active in the scene, and he had no qualms about hookups, which was part of the reason Jamie hated being dragged out by his friends. And Nick? Well, Jamie reasoned, he didn’t know Nick all that well.
    “Shocked you, have I, Jay?” Steve asked mockingly. “Poor Jamie. Believe me when I say Nick has more expansive tastes than you. Even your exoticism can only get you so far.” He paused and continued softly, sounding sincere and a little resigned. He was always good at whiplash moods. “As someone who cares for you, Jamie, I’m suggesting you look after yourself.”
    Steve offered his good-byes and hung up, knowing well and clear from Jamie’s silence that he’d planted seeds of doubt. The first guy Jamie had had those messy butterflies for in almost a year, and Steve had stomped all over them.
    He inched the car forward mechanically, working through a haze of worry, feeling like a complete mug once again. He was almost thankful when it started to sway toward anger, and finally he was blessedly pissed off instead of feeling pathetic. He picked up his phone and dialed Nick.
    “Hey, you,” Nick said happily. “How’s it going? At the airport yet?”
    “No, not yet. How do you know Steve?” Jamie asked briskly. He figured he should get this done before the anger fizzled away.
    “Steve? Steve who?” Nick sounded confused and wary.
    “Steve