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was real, and even if a drop of that still remained somewhere in Nate’s heart, it was worth fighting for.
    “Ready?” Brandon asked, taking his keys out. Quinn nodded, leaning against the wall to catch his breath.
    Brandon unlocked the door and they walked in.
    The apartment was quiet and dark, save for the faint sound of the shower running in the bathroom. Brandon busied himself with opening the curtains and tidying up, murmuring apologies about ‘the state of their apartment’ as he plumped up the couch cushions.
    Quinn waved his concerns off – the place was really nice. A spacious living room opened into a kitchen area with a breakfast bar, tall stools tucked underneath. Windows were lining the walls, letting lots of natural light in. The furniture was minimal, but tasteful – cream couch and armchairs were arranged around a glass coffee table facing a big flat screen TV; a bookcase took up most of the opposite wall with a desk and an office chair sat next to it. The walls were white, but decorated with lots of colorful art.
    “Do you want anything? Coffee? Juice?” Brandon asked, heading towards the kitchen behind the breakfast bar.
    Quinn shook his head. He’d eaten and had coffee at the airport, and right now his stomach was too tied in knots to try and get anything else in there.
    “Sit down, make yourself at home. I can hear he’s in the bathroom,” Brandon said from the kitchen. He opened and closed the fridge door, then joined Quinn on the couch with a can of soda. “He got home late last night. I didn’t see him, but fingers crossed he won’t be too hung over to deal with...” He cast a look at Quinn, trying to find the right word. “This,” he said, waving his hand in Quinn's direction.
    The shower turned off and Quinn's heart lurched in his chest. From where he was sitting he had the bathroom door in full view. Any second now Nate would walk out, his skin flushed and wet from the shower. Quinn smiled at the image in his head.
    He heard the water running again, this time in the sink. Something fell to the floor and Nate swore. And then...
    And then there was another voice, speaking softly. Nate laughed.
    Quinn felt sick. He turned towards Brandon whose mouth was gaping as he stared at the bathroom door.
    “I didn’t know he’d have... company,” Brandon said.
    Why wouldn’t he have company? It was Sunday morning, Nate was a hot, single guy; why wouldn't he go out on a Saturday evening and pick someone up?
    Brandon had assured Quinn that Nate wasn’t dating anyone. But whatever was going on in the bathroom probably wouldn’t be called dating, anyway.
    The door swung open startling Quinn out of his grim thoughts. Nate walked out just as Quinn had imagined him a few moments ago – his skin was wet and slightly red from the hot water; his hair was dripping water and slicked back away from his face; a white towel was wrapped low around his waist. He was smiling, his green eyes sparkling as they met Quinn's.
    The moment he realized who was sitting on his couch, Nate blanched, staggering a step back right into the arms of his companion.
    “Whoa, you OK, babe?” The guy said, circling an arm around Nate’s naked waist. His skin was pasty white against Nate’s tanned skin.
    “Yeah, I’m fine.” Nate said, his voice gruff. His eyes, sparkling with carefree joy just a moment ago, hardened to cold, cruel emeralds. “Thought I saw someone I knew. Turned out I was wrong.”
    The guy peered above Nate’s shoulder, his arm still curled around Nate’s waist protectively. Quinn's stare zeroed in on the fingers fanned out on Nate’s stomach, and primal jealousy erupted strong and hot in his gut.
    “Nate,” Brandon said, standing up and stepping in front of Quinn, shielding him from view. “Wanna get dressed and come out here? We need to talk.”
    Nate’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “Nah. I’m good.” He entwined his fingers with the ones on his stomach, turned his head around and