Breathe [Running to Love 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Allyson Young Page A

times. What he and Rowan had now didn’t include that piece of his life. Jace ignored the twinge of regret he felt at the thought. He was content in this new thing he’d found.
    “Are Ash and Jackie still an item?”
    Max smiled. “They are. And I was getting invited over sometimes, but now I think there’s somebody else in the equation. Oh, well, there’ll be other opportunities.”
    Jace shook his head. “I don’t get the appeal of sharing, buddy, but whatever floats your boat. It’ll be good to hang out, because I’m going to be kind of lost without Rowan. We’ve been spending a lot of time together.”
    Max stared at him for a long moment, and Jace knew he had just missed something. “What?”
    “I never thought I’d see the day, Jace. Or hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. Good for you, man. I’m happy for you.”
    “I’m happy for me, too.” Jace heard the truth in those words, and if a tiny part of him wanted to unleash his dominant sexual side with Rowan, well, that could wait or even go away if it wasn’t suitable. He had to keep on this path, because it had led to the best thing he’d ever had in his life. He quickly changed into jeans and a clean shirt and decided not to shave again that day. The guys wouldn’t care and he spent his time on vanity for Rowan and only Rowan.
     
    * * * *
     
    Someone had hauled in a big screen and much of the furniture had been dragged over to group loosely around it. Jace had almost forgotten about the big game, but then his spare time had been fully occupied by a certain tall brunette. He remembered that Rowan had said she liked baseball and football but not hockey and wondered what she was presently doing. She and Jackie were probably working on a bottle of wine and playing catch up. Hopefully they weren’t dissecting him. Nope, Rowan wouldn’t do that. Jace felt comfortable in accepting that fact. She might tell Jackie that he and she were an item, and reassure her friend that it was all good, but Rowan wouldn’t feel the need to discuss him. Jace shook the hand of yet another friend who commented on how the lost had been found, and grabbed a beer on the way to a waiting chair. He hadn’t seen Alistair and wondered out loud where he was.
    “Probably in his office,” someone volunteered.
    Jace figured ’Stair had seen him arrive on the security feed, and it felt strange that he hadn’t come out to greet him. Maybe the guy was still pissed at him.
    “Nah,” Max said, and Jace realized he’d muttered his concern out loud. “He’s probably busy getting one of the rooms set up for later.”
    Jace stared at Max. “I thought this was just a get-together for the game. I didn’t come for a scene.”
    Max shrugged. “Really? I figured you wouldn’t mind.”
    “I think I’ll just go and say hello to Alistair and then head out.”
    “Whatever, man. You’ve got a key to the house. I’ll catch you later.”
    Jace was ticked. It seemed like Max had misled him or something, and Alistair could fuck himself if he couldn’t be bothered to drag himself from his haven to see an old friend. He shoved his way through the green door to the back area of the club and strode toward Alistair’s office. He’d be civil, rise above this shit, and then go back to Max’s. Maybe he could call Rowan just to talk. He stopped inside ’Stair’s office, and the other man looked up from his computer screen and gave a noncommittal nod. Jace’s annoyance grew, but then Alistair came around the desk and offered his hand, wringing Jace’s with a strength that belied his initial reception.
    “Good to see you again, Jace. I understand you’ve figured some shit out?”
    Jace hung onto his temper and forced a smile. He wondered how Alistair knew, but could afford to act the gentleman. He had indeed figured his shit out. “I have so, Alistair. Good to see you again. I just thought I’d say hello. Got to get going.”
    “What’s your rush, man? Stay awhile, enjoy the