“What the hell was that?” Christopher had caught up with AJ in the locker room.
AJ turned blazing eyes on his ex-partner. “You know exactly what it was about,” he growled, scowling at Christopher.
“No, I don’t!” Christopher exclaimed. “He wanted to hold our hands up because he admires us, what’s your problem with that?”
“I don’t want him to hold my hand up!” AJ snapped. “I don’t want to have anything to do with him!”
“Why?!?” Christopher threw his hands up in the air. “Rhino is a great g-“ He stopped, realization dawning. “Oh.”
“Yeah.” AJ snorted. “I know.”
Christopher sighed. “AJ, we’re not together anymore! If I wanna - ”
“Have a cheap fuck in the locker room,” AJ filled in.
Christopher’s jaw tightened. “What happened between Rhino and I is none of your damn business!” he growled. “You are not my boyfriend!”
“Well I don’t appreciate your new fling trying to hold up my hand!” AJ retorted.
“He’s not my fling!” Christopher exclaimed. “There’s nothing between us, and there’s not going to be. He’s interested in someone else.”
AJ snorted. “Oh, so the second we break up, you’re the locker room whore?”
He received a stinging slap across the face for his comment. Christopher glared at AJ, his eyes slightly wet. “I thought we agreed we could still be friends?” he asked quietly. AJ just shook his head and stomped out of the room. Christopher took a deep breath, leaning back against the lockers and closing his eyes.
“You ok, Angel?”
Christopher opened his eyes, smiling as Rhino’s arm slid around his waist. “He knows, somehow.” He sighed. “He’s got no damn right! God.” He took a deep breath. “This is exactly what you don’t want when a relationship ends; a jealous ex, who doesn’t want you, but sure as hell doesn’t want to see you with someone else.” He was a little surprised to feel Rhino’s lips on his, although the comforting touch was certainly welcome. “Hey,” he murmured, pushing Rhino back gently, “Won’t Eric be jealous of that?” He frowned at the sheepish look on Rhino’s face. “You did ask him out?”
“Well,” Rhino ran a hand through his hair, “I was going to, but he was in the crowd most of the night in that turkey suit, and he looked so adorable…” He sighed. “Hell, Angel, you know I’m no good with words. That’s why I do this.” He leaned in, giving Christopher a slow, gentle kiss.
Christopher smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Rhino’s face. “And you do that brilliantly,” he stated softly, “But you’re not as bad with words as you think. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you when AJ & I broke up.”
“I thought that was more…” Rhino raised his eyebrows, thrusting his hips against Christopher.
Christopher grinned. “That helped too. But it was a lot more than that.”
Rhino returned the smile. “You helped me too, Angel,” he whispered. “You want something worse than a jealous ex, how about lusting after your best friend for ten years?” He chuckled, and Christopher could see that the pain which had been in the war machine’s eyes when their friendship began had largely disappeared.
“I’m glad,” he whispered, giving Rhino a quick peck on the lips. “Now,” he ordered, turning Rhino toward the door and giving him a slap on the butt, “go get your man!”
Rhino stepped towards the door, glancing reproachfully at Christopher. “So that’s it? You’re not gonna be happy until I talk to him?”
“Damn right.” Christopher crossed his arms over his chest. “He likes you, Rhino, I heard it on the grapevine. He’s just afraid to approach you.”
Rhino grinned. “He is sweet like that.” He balled his fists resolutely, turning back to the door. “Ok. I’m gonna do it!”
“You better!” Christopher grinned as he watched Rhino march out of
the room. He grabbed a towel and headed for the showers, trying to keep
his thoughts on the possibility of Rhino and Eric, and away from his
upsetting ex.
Angels in the Storm series
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