Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78007 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78007 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Brax rolls his eyes. “If you consider begging to suck my dick as wrapped around your finger, then yes.”
“Aw, Sunshine. You know you loved me from the first time you saw me.”
“Nah, you just grew on me like a fungus.”
Ty sets his laptop down and straddles Brax’s lap, which is my cue to get the fuck out of there. “Have fun.”
“Wait!” Ty says. “Where have you been, then?”
“With Theo.” I shift from foot to foot. “He asked if we could be friends.”
“I’m confused.” Ty’s forehead wrinkles.
“People can be friends, dickwad.”
“Yeah, but you gotta admit, this situation is entertaining as fuck.”
Yes, I would admit that if I wasn’t the one it was happening to. I wouldn’t believe it if it was anyone other than Theo, but as I spent time with him today, somehow it all makes sense.
“I’m not talking to you guys anymore,” I grumble under my breath as I leave the room, hearing Ty and Brax chuckling behind me. I’m not really mad at them. I get it. If the situation were reversed, I would be doing the same thing.
I get ready for work, then jump into my car and drive to Shenanigans. Sundays aren’t usually super busy, but I wonder if it will be tonight since tomorrow is the first day of classes—people wanting to get in one more night of partying before they have schoolwork to do—or if it will be slow because everyone has shit to do, so they won’t come in.
It stays steady but not too bad, enough that the day doesn’t drag but not so much that I’m running around like crazy all night. A couple of hours into my shift, my phone buzzes with a text. I pull it out of my pocket to see it’s from Theo.
Hot Dancing Guy: Sorry again about today. I feel like an idiot.
Me: Eh, I shouldn’t have assumed.
Hot Dancing Guy: I said we could hook up. I sent mixed signals.
I chuckle. Damn, this guy. He’s too fucking sweet.
Me: Doesn’t mean you owe me anything.
Hot Dancing Guy: I know. I just wanted to apologize again and say thanks for hanging out today. I had fun! We should chill again… Look at me watching my word choice! Not hook up. We’re gonna chill!
I can’t help but snicker again.
Me: I’m changing your name in my phone to Puppy.
Hot Dancing Guy: That would take me down to an eight, at the very least. Are you sure you want to do that?
Me: Are you still thinking about how hot I think you are? Curious… Oh, and I like puppies.
I add a smiley-face emoji at the end of my text, then shove my phone into my pocket. It takes me a moment to realize my cheeks are hurting.
“What are you smiling so big at?” Marshall asks as he sets down a box, then steps around the bar to organize the bottles. He’s this sexy, sweet guy with brown hair and glasses, who works as a barback. Marshall is the definition of nice guy.
“Nothing,” I reply, but really, it’s hard not to smile when it comes to Theo.
Puppy: So…what are you doing tonight?
It’s late Monday afternoon and the first time I’ve heard from Theo all day. School started, and since I don’t know his schedule, I didn’t want to bother him if he was busy. Plus, I’m not really a text-first kind of guy unless it’s a hookup question. I don’t ever want to come off as clingy, needing or wanting anyone too much. It helps me keep that mental distance. I’m a walls-up guy. Not in the same way as Brax. Not like I hate the world or want to bite everyone’s head off, but just that I don’t want to let people in or depend on anyone. Giving someone the chance not to want me? To walk away from me? Not really my thing.
Me: Trying to decide between meeting up with this guy I’m talking to on a hookup app or going to do food deliveries. One feels good, but the other helps me make money, and I’m broke, so the decision isn’t as easy as one might think.
Puppy: Definitely go with delivery.
Me: Because it’s responsible?
Puppy: No, because then I can go with you!
I frown, not having expected that.
Me: Why would you want to go? It’s boring AF.
In some ways Theo acts like someone who doesn’t have other people in his life, but I know that’s not true. He’s talked about his family and the guys he shares a house with. They seem to be close friends, and I imagine they’re not the only ones in his life, but for whatever reason, he seems to want to chill with me. It’s…perplexing.
Puppy: Which is why it’s so nice of me to go with you. I won’t subject you to that on your own.
Me: Ah, but remember my other option is getting laid.