Money Hungry //joshler [✔️]

twenty

tyler was instructed to go about business as usual, so he does just that. he goes about his nightly routine with no problems, only feeling slightly unsafe as two drunk men past him. they barely cast him a glance, though. they're too busy leaning on each other and sharing intoxicated kisses. it makes tyler smile. he can't wait to get home to josh.

when he finally does get home, he remembers josh went out to bring home the new recruit. he must already be home, though, judging by the shoes kicked just to the side of the front door. the house is rather quiet, most of the girls have yet to return.

tyler toes his shoes off, heading straight for the bathroom to brush his teeth and take a shower. after doing such, he sets on his mission to find josh. it's a little weird considering he has yet to see the man or the new recruit.

he figures the best place to search first is josh's bedroom, and he's proved right. josh sits in the chair beside his bed, reading a book in dim, yellow light from his bedside lamp. he looks up upon hearing tyler enter, smiling at the brunette.

"hey, ty. how'd things go?"

"good," tyler hums, shutting the door as he takes a seat on the bed. "how'd things go for you?"

"good," josh says, marking the page in his book before setting it aside. "they're up in their room right now. sleeping, probably."

"what's her name?" tyler asks curiously, grabbing a pillow. he holds it in his lap, hugging it to his chest.

josh hesitates before letting out a small chuckle. "well... his name is pete."

tyler blinks a few times. his body's initial reaction, for some reason, is to grow extremely hot and sweaty. his brain's initial reaction, of course, is just bad. his name? there's another boy recruit in the house? why? what was so special about him? was tyler not enough?

the brunette digs his fingernails into the pillow, trying to get a hold of himself. he knows he needs to calm his brain down. he knows he's overreacting. he knows this, yet he can't help it. it's normal for him to just being used and then thrown away like a toy. he doesn't want that to happen with josh.

"oh," he finally speaks, realizing josh was waiting for his response. "cool."

the man nods slowly, trying to read tyler. "is that okay with you?"

"yeah, yeah, it's cool," tyler offers a smile, trying so hard not to convey his true emotions. "it's your decision anyway, not mine."

"i know, but-"

"it's cool," tyler repeats.

it's not cool. it's not cool at all. tyler feels it, he feels it deep in his gut, the probability of josh being sick of him and wanting someone new. he should've guessed it. he should've seen that coming. of course josh was sick of him. he was probably the most annoying person on the face of the earth. it'll only be a matter of time before josh ends things with him. then what?

would tyler be able to stay here after that happens? would josh kick him back out on the street? would he keep him around just to make more money? tyler had so many questions, so much uncertainty, he didn't even know what to worry about first.

"i'm gonna go to bed," he blurts out, realizing josh was in the middle of talking and he just interrupted.

"and- oh. okay, dear. want me to come up there with you?"