Harm felt blindsided by the angle Trick took. He'd figured he wanted to say something about him hanging out with Tobi but he was hurt by the implication that he'd done something to encourage the guy. They'd just had a conversation, he didn't recall doing anything untoward. The kiss had been initiated by Tobi as cover. Fucked if he was going to say anything about that, though.
Harm frowned, gnawing on the inside of his lip as his gaze fell to the phone in his lap, contemplating how to respond to the accusation he'd flirted when he fucking hadn't! But then he realised he had it wrong and his agitation eased. He had with Trick... that's what he was getting at. Trick assumed he was like that with everyone. Was he? He supposed he was, if he was interested. He never bothered hiding his interest because he had nothing to lose. But Trick had been different. There'd been an instant spark.
He sighed quietly, forced to confront an uncomfortable truth about himself and examine the underlying implications. Trick knew it was hollow, though. And he knew why, after tonight. It wasn't going to be an issue going forward. The reference to Adam left a sour taint in his chest, though, flavouring his thoughts. He wished Trick hadn't said it like that. It hurt that he was using his past against him. Still, he'd invited him to speak so he had to deal with it.
"It was different with you, right from the start," he smiled, swallowing down the sad, bitter feelings as best he could. His voice was softer than he liked so he cleared his throat and shuffled around in his seat a little, sounding more confident when he continued.
"I'm not a game player. I'm not interested in doing anything to make you jealous or anything like that. He was just a guy I pretended to know because a creep was hurting him and it scared the shit out of me. I bought him a cup of tea to calm his nerves and we talked. Eventually, about hanging out to game. That was Monday. We joked around, I guess I flirted, but I didn't have any hope for you, at that stage. I'll text him and put him off," Harm assured Trick, pulling his hand off his thigh in order to pick up his phone and do as he'd said.