Page 1 of All Bets are Off
Prologue
LOGAN
“What thefuckwas that?” Jase asks, staring at me before turning to West. “West, what were you thinking?”
West starts to say something, but Jase interrupts, turning back to me. “And you—you should know better!”
“Hawk was on his way,” I say, even though I know I’m in the wrong. Jase looks like he’s had it with the both of us, and I can’t blame him.
Things shouldn’t have gone down like that. We had a relatively easy case—keeping a minor celebrity safe during a performance—and that performance went off without a hitch. But afterward, a rabid fan somehow got back to the dressing rooms, and West went after him without backup. I called for Hawk, and I would have waited until he got there, but I heard gun shots. That’s when a mind-numbing fear had taken hold of me that I would never see West alive again.
After years in the Marine Corps together, one would think I’d be used to situations like that. One would think I’d stick to protocol.One would think.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I put my head in my hands while Jase continues to pace back and forth and rant at us. We both know we deserve it. I for letting my emotions get the better of me and he for the way he’s been acting so awkward around me when I thought this thing between us was settled.
“I thought when I asked you two to be my partners in this security firm that I was getting the best guys for the job. I thought I could count on you. But these last few months, I think a pair of clowns would have been a better choice. If my uncle hears about this, what am I going to tell him?”
“It won’t happen again,” West says, and I nod agreement.
“It better not because if it does, the two of you are never taking a case together again.” Jase stomps out of the room. My eyes turn to West, and when he actually meets my gaze, I think,Now, we’re going to clear the air. I mean really clear it, not have a talk and then go back to being awkward, like before.
“That whole thing was my fault. I’m sorry,” he says. But before I can say anything back, he walks out.
Damn him.
CHAPTER ONE
West
I’ve never thought of myself as a coward. I’ve faced fear and rage and death with confidence because that’s what being a Marine taught me. What the Marine Corps didn’t teach me was how to deal with being attracted to my male best friend.
If I’d figured it out when we were still on active duty, I would have pushed this attraction as far down inside my consciousness as humanly possible. But Logan and I aren’t active Marines anymore. So, why did I back down that day when Logan and I were grappling on the couch like sex-starved teenagers? I’m the one who initiated the stupid bet in the first place.
It’s a question I’ve asked myself every day for months, and I know the answer. Iknowit. Getting physical with Logan will ruin our friendship. There’s no stepping away from it once I admit I want him. And what if I’m just confused? I don’t want to hurt Logan any more than I already have with my erratic behavior. Hell, I’m lucky I haven’t ruined things already. Besides the fact that I’ve never actively entertained the notion of getting with a guy before, I’m pretty fucked up emotionally. And although, after fifteen years of friendship, Logan is more aware of that than anyone else I know, he doesn’t deserve to be the focus of it.
Except I can’t get the memory out of my head, and now it’s affecting our work relationship.
“West?”
“Yeah?” I say, sitting up on the bench I had been doing leg curls on before I lapsed into thought.
Jase grabs a towel and wipes his face. “I came down pretty hard on you and Logan yesterday. But, hell, man. Look at you. I said your name four times before you heard me. I know this is about your feelings for Logan, so don’t try to tell me otherwise. What happened to the two guys who could practically read each other’s mind? Now, you’re giving mixed signals and fucking up on the job. Somebody’s going to wind up getting killed. You want that person to be Logan?”
Getting to my feet, I say, “Hell, no! What kind of question is that?”
“A question that got your attention. Finally. Come on. Tell me what’s going on between you two.”
“I’m not gay.” The words are of my mouth before I can stop them.
Dropping the towel, Jase gives me a dirty look.
Dammit.
I completely forgot about Jase coming out to me and Logan months ago when we started this business. Now I feel like a dick.
“I mean—I wasn’t…” I stop, groaning. Throwing myself onto one of the chairs by the wall, I take a couple of deep breaths. I expect to see anger on my friend’s face when I look back at him, but his expression is more exasperated than anything else. Through the large plate-glass window behind him, I see Logan in the backyard supervising a group of trainees as they run the obstacle course, and I can’t help but notice the way his jeans hug his ass. Blinking, I turn away.
After years of serving together in the Marine Corps, Logan and I are as close as only two guys who faced death on a daily basis can be. There’s not a doubt in my mind that I love him. He’s loyal and fun and caring and brave and there isn’t anyone else on this planet I trust like I trust him. We’re likebrothers, for Chrissake. But since our retirement—no, ever since the night I bet Logan he wouldn’t participate in a foursome with me and two women—the way I think about him has changed. And it’s making me crazy. A few months have passed since we put the subject to rest—agreeing that our friendship is the most important thing—but I’m no closer to getting my head on straight now than I was then.