Chapter 81: Conversation
Chapter 80
Jack
Something happened between the two best friends.
I don’t know what it is, but something did.
Ciel and Nolan have always had this easy flow between them—the kind of quiet, natural closeness that doesn’t demand space because it already lives there. They used to be practically glued together, and it never bothered me.
But lately... it’s different.
Like now. Ciel’s straddling me on the couch, warm mouth pressed against mine, and for a second, everything is good. Easy. Familiar.
Until the vacuum starts.
Nolan.
And just like that, Ciel stiffens.
He pulls away like I burned him.
Ha.
I exhale through my nose, stare up at the ceiling, and then glance down at my not-so-subtle problem between my legs that is now completely unsatisfied.
Before, Ciel would have rolled his eyes at Nolan vacuuming like some domestic god and continued kissing me. Now, he climbs off me as if being caught kissing me is... something.
That twitch in my eye? Yeah, that’s rage and frustration shaking hands.
I can live without sex. I’ve been doing it, anyway. But if I’m going to lose even the tiny, soft, good things I still get with him—like kissing on the couch in the middle of the afternoon—then we have a problem.
No. This ends today.I just need two hours.
I grab my phone from the coffee table and scroll through my contacts until I land on Ivan.
"Are you still around?"
He responds in less than a minute.
"Yeah, for the next two weeks."
Perfect.
I type back.
"I need a favor."
A beat later:
"Hmmmnnn."
"What kind of favor?"
***
Ciel
Jack goes to open the door, and walking behind him is Ivan.
He looks around the living room with that sharp, curious expression of his, like he’s already mentally redecorating.
"Ivan?" I ask, surprised.
"Oh. Ciel? Aren’t you a doll," he says, sweeping me into a hug that smells like sunscreen and expensive cologne. I freeze for half a second before awkwardly patting his back.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, as he pulls away with a grin that’s far too bright for whatever this is.
"I’m here on an SOS from Jack," he says, flipping his hair like this is a runway and not my house.
Speaking of Jack, he walks forward with Lanny in his arms, a diaper bag slung over his shoulder. Then, just like that—he hands mybaby to Ivan.
My heart lurches.
"No. Jack." I step forward immediately. "No, no, no
."He studies me for a heartbeat—then hands Lanny to Nolan instead.
Ivan claps his hands together dramatically. "Oh my, are youNolan? I’ve heard so much about you. Your attractiveness is undermined, wow."
Nolan looks like someone just threw a puzzle at his face.
Jack uses the distraction to gently grab my wrist and pull me into the kitchen.
"I do not agree to this," I hiss.
"Please, sunshine," he says softly but firmly, stepping closer. "What we need is a good two hours. Minimum. Alone. All three of us."
I fold my arms. "Still—"
He holds my shoulders, making me look at him. Jack rarely looks serious—but when he does, it always knocks the air out of me.
"Ivan is our friend. Besides, he’s literally fifteen minutes away. It’s not like he’s taking Lanny to another country," Jack says.
"I don’t understand why Lanny has to leave. What is this conversation that needs me to part from my son?" I ask, my voice sharper than I mean it to be.
Jack’s jaw tightens. "A very serious conversation. Because we need to sort out the shit happening between us." His eyes are steady, unflinching, stripping away every excuse I want to throw at him.
I look away first.
"Besides," he continues, his voice softening, "I love Lanny. I really, really do. You know that. I would never risk his safety. Trust me. Please."
I stare at his hand on my shoulder, the warmth of it grounding me. Jack doesn’t beg—not often. So when he does, it cracks something in me.
I bite my lip. Stay quiet. That’s as close to a yes as he needs.
"Ciel, please," he says again, more quietly now.
And I give in.
Minutes later, Ivan leaves with Lanny, cooing dramatically about how adorable my son is and promising to send hourly updates. The door clicks shut.
What if he’s not okay? What if he’s crying non-stop? What if he needs me and I’m not there? What if something happens? What if—
My panicked spiral is violently interrupted when Jack suddenly steps forward, grabs the back of Nolan’s neck, and kisses him.
My brain short-circuits. For a solid three seconds I forget how to breathe. Nolan makes a strangled noise—not exactly a protest, but not not a protest either—and then Jack just as suddenly pulls away, leaving Nolan blinking like someone unplugged him mid-thought.
Jack looks completely unbothered. His voice is calm when he says, "You two follow me."
Then he just... walks up the stairs like nothing happened.
I turn slowly to Nolan.
He looks at me.
I look at him.
We stand there for a beat, wide-eyed like a pair of stray cats that got caught in the rain.
Then Jack’s voice drifts down, perfectly calm, perfectly alpha, perfectly terrifying: "Are you two done?"
I flinch. Nolan flinches.
We exchange a look that says may God protect us both.
And then Nolan says, very bravely: "You go first."
"What? No." I immediately shake my head. "You go first."
"He’s your alpha."
"You’re the one he was just sucking face with a moment ago," I hiss.
Nolan looks personally offended. "I did not ask for that!"
"Yeah, well neither did I ask to be sacrificed first!"
From upstairs, Jack’s voice comes again, lower this time: "Both of you. Get. In."
My stomach drops.
We turn to the stairs like they’re the path to our execution.
"You go in first," Nolan tries again.
I shove him lightly. "No, you."
He glares at me. I glare back.
And together like two children being sent to the principal’s office—we shuffle up the stairs.