Chapter 5

Justin hesitated for a brief moment. “I…I really don’t know. He abruptly started to keep his distance from me after that day. He hadn’t been rude or unfriendly, but our interactions were painfully civil and cordial. All of his clever and indirect sexual innuendos were suddenly just…gone.”

“Gone?” Javier repeated.

“Disappeared without a trace,” Justin said. “I wouldn’t have given it a second thought if it hadn’t occurred out of the blue.”

“And because you like him very much.”

Justin nodded. “Blake has been different lately. It’s as if I’m dealing with his calmer, more courteous, and less flirtatious doppelganger or something.”

Javier had a pensive expression for a few seconds. “Have you somehow offended him?”

Justin shook his head. “I don’t think so. In fact, I’m sure I haven’t. The tension between Blake and me is just too sudden and unexpected.”