Danny Russo had seen a lot of weird things in his life.

A raccoon breaking into their dorm during freshman year? Weird, but manageable.
Sophie threatening to fight a vending machine when it stole her dollar? Weird, but understandable.
Jake Carter, his totally straight best friend, stealing his hoodies like a feral goblin with zero shame?

Weirder.

But Jake Carter snatching back a hoodie from someone Danny willingly gave it to, claiming it was his?

Yeah.

That was new.

And it was also, maybe, finally, the moment Danny had to accept that something wasn’t adding up.

Danny and Leo were chilling at the campus café, their usual spot near the window, talking absolute nonsense between sips of coffee.

The weather had turned colder lately, which was great for vibes but terrible for Danny’s circulation.

Which was exactly why he had brought an extra hoodie.

It was a simple gesture.

Nothing dramatic. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Leo had mentioned being cold—so Danny, being the generous and kind person that he was, offered him a hoodie.

And Leo, being Leo, had grinned and said, “Damn, I get a boyfriend AND free clothes? I’m winning.”

Danny had laughed and thought nothing of it.

Until Jake showed up.

And everything went to hell.

Jake wasn’t supposed to be there.

Danny had not invited him.

Leo had not invited him.

No one had invited him.

But Jake had a funny way of appearing exactly when Danny didn’t want him to.

And today?

Oh, today he looked like he was ready to commit a felony.

Danny didn’t even see him walk in.

One second, he was handing Leo a hoodie, totally normal, completely innocent—

And the next?

Jake was standing right there.

Staring.

Danny barely had time to react before Jake’s eyes locked onto the hoodie in Leo’s hands.

His expression shifted.

Then—

“What the fuck is that?”

Danny blinked.

Leo, bless him, looked up, completely unbothered.

“Uh,” Leo said, clearly amused by whatever was happening. “It’s a hoodie?”

Jake frowned. Hard.

Danny, confused as hell, turned to Jake. “Why do you care?”

Jake ignored him.

Instead, he reached forward and grabbed the hoodie out of Leo’s hands.

Danny gawked.

Leo snorted.

And Jake—Jake had the fucking nerve to say, with a straight face—

“That’s mine.”

Danny’s brain short-circuited.

Leo, to his eternal credit, just raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?” Leo said, clearly entertained. “Last I checked, Danny gave it to me.”

Jake tightened his grip. “Yeah? Well, it’s not his to give.”

Danny stared.

Leo grinned.

And suddenly, Danny had a very strong suspicion that Leo was about to make this infinitely worse.

Leo leaned back, eyes glinting with mischief.

“Ohhh,” he said, slow, teasing. “I get it now.”

Jake’s jaw clenched. “Get what?”

Leo smirked. “You’re territorial.”

Jake scowled. “I’m not—”

“Dude.” Leo held up his hands. “You just stole a hoodie out of my hands like I personally offended you. That’s some next-level ‘hands off my man’ energy.”

Danny nearly choked.

Jake froze.

For a solid two seconds, he didn’t react.

And Danny?

Danny watched, completely transfixed, as something flashed across Jake’s face.

Something Danny couldn’t quite place.

Something that looked a hell of a lot like realization.

Like Oh. Oh, shit.

Danny’s stomach flipped.

This was different.

This wasn’t just Jake being an ass.

This was Jake having a reaction he didn’t understand.

Leo, being the absolute menace he was, just grinned knowingly and leaned forward.

“You good, man?” Leo asked, all fake innocence.

Jake snapped out of it.

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat, eyes flicking away. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

But he still didn’t let go of the hoodie.

Danny did not miss that.

Neither did Leo.

Jake, clearly uncomfortable, muttered something about having to leave and practically bolted out of the café.

And Danny?

Danny just sat there.

Staring at the door Jake had just disappeared through.

Brain spinning.

Heart pounding.

Because suddenly, finally, Danny had to admit it.

Something wasn’t adding up.

Something was different.

And for the first time in years, Danny found himself wondering—

What if Jake wasn’t as straight as he thought?