Beautifully Torn

the restaurant.
Hudson nodded. “That sounds great. Thanks.”
The server moved away, and Jinx watched as she picked up a plate and drink from a crowded table. The three men at the table watched as the server brought the plate to Jinx’s table. Then their heads came together, obviously discussing their abandonment. “Won’t your friends miss you?” Jinx asked as his gaze moved back Hudson’s way. He found Hudson staring.
Hudson shrugged. “I’d rather be with you.”
Jinx hated the way his chest warmed at the claim. He wasn’t dumb enough to think he could hold Hudson’s attention for long. Jinx hated that he wanted it nonetheless. His life was a bit fucked up. Jinx wanted the man seated across from him. Not the rock star, but the man. Yet he also craved the sexy guard at home. He never dreamed it would feel every bit as unlucky to desire two men as it felt to be completely unwanted. Jinx wasn’t sure this problem wasn’t worse. On one hand, he could let Hudson completely level his life. On the other, Rocky likely didn’t want him at all. Jinx didn’t know which limb to climb out on. Each one seemed just as likely to break. It was a conundrum. Hudson swept a heated gaze over Jinx, and Jinx settled in. If he was doomed to get hurt no matter what he chose, there was no sense in thinking too hard. He may as well go down moaning.
The amount of stress Rocky felt when Jinx went anywhere alone was well beyond what could be considered healthy. Rocky couldn’t help it. He was protective by nature, and it was Jinx. Jinx was young and sweet. He was off limits to everyone as far as Rocky was concerned, especially to Rocky. Jinx was like family to Rocky’s boss, Zayn. Since Zayn would soon be married to Jinx’s boss, Spencer, that made Spencer Rocky’s boss too. They were one big chosen family. Rocky would die for every last one of them. Plus, Rocky had been a thug in a former life, he was ten years older than Jinx, and there was just no way they would ever be together.
As if thinking about him conjured him, Jinx came through the door. Rocky swore a fire lit in his chest at the first sight of his shaggy-haired boy. His light blue gaze landed on Rocky and a smile lit his face. At the first glimpse of his adorable smile, Rocky almost ran toward him, greeting him like a fucking dog. Then Hudson came through the door on Jinx’s heels. Rocky’s smile dimmed.
“You brought home company.”
Jinx nodded. “I ran into Hudson at lunch. We got to talking and had a great idea for a project. Since we’re both free today, we’re running with it.”
Rocky didn’t hear half of what Jinx said. The way Hudson looked at Jinx distracted the hell out of Rocky. Before Rocky could formulate a halfway intelligent response, Jinx started down the hall toward his bedroom.
Rocky followed. “If you’re only working, wouldn’t that be easier in the living room?”
A low chuckle floated down the hall. “I’m not twelve, Rocky. I’m allowed to have boys in my room.”
Hudson followed Jinx to the door of his bedroom. At the last second, he turned and eyed Rocky from head to toe while walking backward into Jinx’s bedroom. “You should join us.”
“If you’re only working, why should I join you?” Rocky didn’t blink as he posed the question.
Hudson didn’t back down either. He smirked. “Would you join us if we weren’t?”
A wave of possessiveness overwhelmed Rocky. He wanted to mark his territory. “Leave the door open.”
Hudson’s smile kicked up a notch. “Why? Do you want to watch?”
“For fuck’s sake.” Jinx moved between them and closed the door in Rocky’s face. Rocky pressed his forehead against the wood, fighting the urge to kick it down.
“What are you doing?”
At Zayn’s sudden appearance, Rocky jumped away from the door. “Nothing. I was just...”
Zayn made a dismissive gesture. “Never mind. I’ve been looking for you. Spencer and I need to go over a few things with you.”
Since Zayn hadn’t called him on his weirdo behavior, Rocky dutifully followed Zayn down the hall. He forced himself not to look back. Hudson probably already had Jinx halfway undressed by now. Rocky focused on Zayn to keep from going insane. Zayn wasn’t particularly tall. Of course, everyone was shorter than Rocky. Except for Spencer, who Rocky could already see was waiting for them outside the dining room. As they headed inside the dining room, Zayn motioned for him to sit. Rocky’s anxiety shot through the roof. He had been acting like a crazed stalker lately and likely fucking up on the job. It hadn’t occurred to him until now that Zayn might not put up with this shit for long. He wondered if they were firing him or planned to make him move out. After all, Jinx was important to them. Rocky was just some guy who had gotten busted stealing a car from Zayn. He definitely wasn’t worth keeping. Zayn was crazy for having kept him this long.
Zayn pulled a planner closer and tapped it with a pen. “We’ve been looking over the schedule, trying to free up more time for you. With the wedding coming up, we’ll be crazy busy with tuxedo measurements and parties. Obviously, we want you there as a guest. Not working. Who on your team do you want to promote?”
“Um...” Rocky hadn’t been prepared. He’d had a completely different notion of where this meeting was going, especially since he was the one who usually set his team’s schedule.
“I’m still planning to pay you your regular salary. This isn’t cutting into your check.”
At the misunderstanding, Rocky forced his mind on track. “Corey is my best guy. Plus, he has a baby on the way. If anyone deserves the promotion and needs the extra money, it’s him.”
Spencer nodded, as if he approved, while Zayn jotted in his notebook. Zayn didn’t look up as he