Swish by E. Davies Read Free Book Online Page B

still pretty new,” he nodded. “I can't afford to be picky until at least the first year's up. I'd rather take these kind anyway. You know, I can validate their suspicions when people never had proof...”
    His mother nodded. “It seems like it's hard, though.”
    “It is. This guy... they're only newlyweds, but he's having an affair with one woman and bringing home others.”
    His mother scoffed. “Now he needs smacking with a newspaper. Or something harder.”
    “Mom!” Alex laughed.
    “I know you can't, dear. I'm just saying.”
    His father chuckled. “She's right. Not all of us are like that. If you're worried about finding your own--”
    “Nah,” Alex groaned, but he was paying close attention.
    “--all I'm saying is, keep holding on. There might be fewer of you out there, but you'll find one.”
    “And he'll be the right one, more importantly.”
    Alex smiled, rising to his feet. “Okay, okay,” he laughed. “I gotta get going soon. Thanks, Mom, Dad.”
    “Anytime. Come over for supper again soon,” Dad told him. “Don't burn out.”
    “I won't.”
    After his usual goodbyes, Alex sat in the car for a few minutes to warm it up. He leaned against the window.
    They were right: there were some different men. Thomas, for one. Thomas had been loyal almost to a fault; it would have been much easier to dump him all those years ago if he hadn't been. But being dumped had to hurt even more, so he didn't try to summon up too much sympathy for himself.
    He'd been right to look for a relationship that had what he needed, but not in the way he went about it. If he ever dumped someone again, it would be face-to-face, not over the phone. That memory made him cringe.
    “Yeah, I was that dick, kind of,” Alex muttered. Maybe they were right and it did take men a little longer to grow up and be ready to settle down. Maybe he was just getting to that stage now.
    Thomas was two years younger. Was he almost ready?
    If not... could Alex wait?
    His heart raced. He'd never considered that question when it came to any other guy. The fact that he was even thinking about that told him that something was different.
    But he couldn't dwell on it. Thomas didn't want more with him.
    Alex tried not to think the word yet at the end of that sentence. He pulled away from the curb to drive home to his apartment.

Chapter 11
Thomas
    If Thomas spent extra time ironing his shirt for Thursday, he wouldn't admit it. When Thursday came around, he brushed his teeth on his lunch break. The time seemed to drag by as the hour approached two o'clock.
    Alex was due any time.
    Naturally, Thomas was in the middle of serving a client when the handsome man stepped into the bank. A cool breeze blew through the lobby when the door opened, ruffling the waiting area brochures.
    The client was slowly entering their PIN, and Thomas had just a second to look up and make eye contact with Alex.
    Alex was looking for him, too, his gaze scanning the row of desks before his eyes lit upon Thomas's face.
    They shared a look for a moment, their eyes meeting as a slow smile crept across Alex's face. That same slow, charming smile, but there was more sincerity today. Thomas just hoped none of the other tellers were looking between them. The chemistry between them felt like a lethal charge in the air.
    Oh, Christ. Thomas's heart downright fluttered, but he ignored it. He wasn't forgiving Alex yet, however sweet he'd been in bed. He drew his lips down and nodded briskly, then returned his attention to the client. Perhaps he paid her a little too much attention, ignoring where Alex went.
    Alex would never commit to one guy, would he? And Thomas's family wouldn't approve. Not just because it was Alex, but Jackson always said exes should stay exes.
    This thing between them... it was just a slip-up, a mistake Thomas thought would be logical. It had only complicated things.
    Thomas's phone vibrated quietly and he ignored it until the last customer was out of sight. Only then