The Escort S2

Part 44: A hurt little boy

Jae's POV

"Jae, do we really have to have dinner with him and his boyfriend?" Hobi groans. I roll my eyes, having no patience for this discussion again.

"Hobi, we've been over this several times. Yes, we do. We have to get reacquainted. And Tae's his fiancé. Please don't disrespect him."

"God help anyone married to that asshole!"

"Damn it, Hobi! I need you to try! Have you forgotten what's at stake here?" I hiss, placing my face in my hands and shaking my head. "I'm so tired of this. Sometimes I wish..." I catch myself and pause.

"Wish what, Jae?"

"Nothing." I really don't want to fight.

"No, say it, Jae."

"Okay, I'll say it. Sometimes I wish I wasn't here in any of this. I love you but I'm done trying to convince you. It's fucking exhausting!" His eyes widen. "You act like you're the second-place winner. You really believe I'd marry you without being in love with you. On one hand, you're smart, funny and principled and then there's the little broken bits that I am rubbing up against." I stand to leave, and he reaches and catches my hand.

"I'm sorry. Please sit with me." I huff out an exasperated breath and lower myself back into my seat. He clears his throat and swallows. "Jungkook was my best friend since high school. He helped me through my first year of college. He'd listen to me talk on and on about this crush I had on this boy named Jae." I chuckle.

""We'd sit up all night talking about guy stuff."

"What kind of guy stuff?"

"You know, sex and other stuff." I chuckle. "We kind of... took care of each other. " He swallows and clears his throat again. "Uhm, so what time are we leaving?" I bite back my smile. I'm happy he opened up a bit. That's all I wanted. It's a start.

"In a few hours, baby." He nods and places a soft kiss to my cheek.

Taehyung's POV

I answer the door as Kookie nervously waits in the living room. This dinner will be important in our going forward. It has to work.

"Hi, Tae!" Jae says with enthusiasm as a handsome taller man stands next to him with a nervous smile.

"This is my husband, Hobi. Hobi, this is Tae, Jungkook's fiancé." I smile and invite them in. Surprisingly, Hobi smiles.

"Hi, Tae. It's nice to meet you. My husband is quite taken with you. He's a good judge of people."

"Well, thank you." His smile is nice and sincere. "Welcome to our home." As they enter, Kookie walks over with a guarded smile. He and Hobi look at each other with an acknowledging glance and a combined head nod. Kookie's a bit awkward and not sure how he should greet him. This is strange because I've never seen Kookie unsure. He pauses and decides to greet Jae. Jae starts to come in for a hug and Kookie extends his hand as Hobi watches closely.

"Hi Jae, it's good to see again." His smile expands but it's uneasy.

"It's good to see you too and Tae again. Jae's smile is bright and confident. There's an awkward quietness as Kookie slowly turns to Hobi. Hodi's eyes are unfocused as Kookie faces him.

"Hobi," Kookie says as Hobi meets his gaze and nods.

"Jungkook," Hobi says and nods. So, there was no hand shake, butl at least we've accomplished getting these two in the room. Since this merger started, they've talked a few times on a conference call, but largely communicated through email. Something tells me it's going to be a very long night.