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“The party is going to be great,” Regulus says.
Evan rolls his eyes with a small smile. “Just concentrate on making me look pretty.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Regulus mumbles under his breath, focusing on fixing Evan’s eye makeup. “I just want James to like me. This is our first official date.”
Evan snorts—then immediately regrets it as Regulus punches him lightly on the shoulder.
“That man is drooling over you every time he sees you. You don’t need to worry about him not liking you,” Evan says, watching with an amused smile as Regulus blushes slightly and goes back to his makeup.
“Speaking of drooling men… are you seeing him tonight?” Regulus asks, rolling his eyes as Evan averts his gaze.
“Of course you are,” he mutters. “Evan, he ghosted you for two months, and now he texts you for a booty call and you jump right into his arms like a lovesick puppy.”
“It’s a bad idea, right?” Evan sighs. “And anyway, he didn’t text me yet. I just saw that he looked up my profile on Insta, which means he probably will soon.”
Regulus scoffs, giving him a flat stare.
“Look, I know he’s my ex, but can’t two people reconnect? I only see him as a friend,” Evan says—definitely one of the biggest lies he’s ever told.
“Evan, you’re my best friend. Pandora might fall for that bullshit, but I definitely don’t believe a word you just said. Just… if he calls—don’t answer.” Regulus gets up, heading for his room to finish getting ready. “You deserve better than an asshole. That’s why we broke up, remember?”
Evan’s face softens. He gives Regulus a small shrug.
“You weren’t an asshole. You just weren’t ready for commitment—and neither was I. But now, I’m ready. Barty isn’t, but each time his name lights up my screen, I think that maybe, this time, it’ll be different. That’s all it is. Blind hope. You know what they say, Reggie—love is blind.”
***
The party is in full swing when Evan’s phone buzzes in his pocket. He glances at the screen, and his heart rate spikes at the caller ID. He excuses himself, catching Reg’s gaze for a second—Regulus shakes his head with a disapproving frown.
When Evan is finally alone in the restroom, he picks up. His knees nearly buckle at the voice on the other end. God, he missed that voice.
“Hi, Rosie.”
Barty’s voice sounds exactly the same as the last time Evan heard it—which is strange, because it feels like they haven’t spoken in years.
“Hi, Bee.”
A soft chuckle from the other end. Evan’s heart skips a beat. Pathetic.
“You busy right now? I’m in town.”
“So what? I’m supposed to run straight to you?”
“I missed you,” Barty whispers, like a dirty secret. Evan’s breath hitches.
“Send me your hotel.”
Barty sends the address. Evan hangs up, already heading out, giving a small wave to Regulus. Reg rolls his eyes but doesn’t stop him. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea after all.
Evan’s mind races as he knocks on the hotel room door. He’s not sure how this time will end, but he knows it will feel good—for a little while. It always does with Barty. He’s unpredictable and dangerous, like fire. But fire can turn soft in the right hands, too.
A string of curses and a crash sounds from inside. Then, the door opens. Barty is grinning.
“You came,” he says breathlessly, stepping aside.
“You called,” Evan murmurs, stepping in and looking around with a soft smile.
Barty looks winded. His eyes light up. He steps closer and pulls Evan into a kiss. Evan kisses him back. He always does. He’s a very weak man when it comes to Barty.
So, later, he isn’t the least bit surprised to find himself tangled in hotel sheets, Barty’s head resting on his chest as they talk quietly.
“Did you really miss me?” Evan murmurs, running his fingers through Barty’s messy hair.
“Like a limb. You’re the only reason I keep coming back to this cursed town,” Barty says with a lazy grin, placing kisses along Evan’s jaw.
Evan smiles and closes his eyes. He’s about to speak when his phone buzzes somewhere in the room. He gets up to find it, knowing it’s probably Regulus, worried about him.
Barty makes a noise of disapproval but lets him go. Evan climbs back into bed, answering the call. Regulus’s voice comes through the receiver.
“Ev? Where are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay, don’t worry. Already almost asleep,” Evan says, glancing at Barty with a small smile.
Regulus is quiet for a moment, then sighs. His voice is tight.
“You better not cry again when you come home—or I’ll beat the shit out of him. Good night, Evan.”
He hangs up.
Evan sighs, setting his phone aside. Barty frowns, running a hand over Evan’s torso.
“Are you and Reg back together, then?” he asks, a hint of jealousy in his voice.
“What? Of course not! We broke up almost a year ago. You know that.”
“I know, I know… he just sounded really upset.”
Evan sighs, pulling Barty closer, whispering into his hair.
“That’s because every time we do this—and then you leave me again—he’s there to get me through the heartbreak.”
Barty sucks in a sharp breath and looks up at Evan with wide eyes.
“Heartbreak?” he whispers, slightly breathless. “That’s what the nagging feeling is every time I leave?”
Evan nods slowly, surprised. He watches as Barty’s eyes clear, and then Barty kisses him. Again and again, until they’re both breathless and grinning.
The next morning, Evan returns home to change before his official date. Regulus stares at him, bewildered, but Evan just smiles and says a few quiet words before rushing back out.
“He was ready after all.”