Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“I thought we could hang out, as friends.”
Friends. Because that’s all Tam could ever have. Still, something about the way Driver spoke made it seem like he needed company. And out of all the people he might have turned to, Driver had come to him. Warmth spread through his chest as he stepped back. “Come in.”
As Driver crossed the threshold, their arms brushed and Tam didn’t bother trying to hide the shiver that followed. What was the point? The attraction between them was obvious. And so was the impossibility of anything happening. He would just enjoy what he could get.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked on your pizza so I got half plain and half pepperoni.”
“The classics.”
Driver set the pizza box on the kitchen counter and turned to him. “What about drinks? I could run across the hall and grab ingredients for a cocktail.”
“How about beer? There’s a few in the fridge.”
“Great.” Driver looked inside. “Wow, beer is the only thing you have in here.”
“I need to go shopping at some point.”
Driver twisted the caps off two bottles and held one out to Tam. “Okay, plates or no plates? I’m good with either.”
“Paper towels.” He tucked the roll under his arm, then grabbed the pizza box. Carrying his beer, the paper, and the pizza, he made his way into the living room. Driver followed.
“It looks different in here without the decorations. Is this new?” Driver gestured to the coffee table.
“No, it was in the bedroom during the party. I figured we’d need floor space.” He dropped everything. “What movies did you bring?”
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Driver set his beer down and began digging through the bag. “Flashdance and Dirty Dancing.” He held up both DVD cases with a huge grin.
“Perfect.” So, so perfect.
It took a minute to set up the movie but soon they were both sitting on the floor leaning against the couch. As the opening credits rolled, they each grabbed a slice and settled in.
It was comfortable. Easy.
Tam took a deep breath and gave name to the emotion that had filled him as soon as he’d opened the door.
Relief.
Driver hadn’t disappeared after the not-a-date catastrophe.
“I’ve always loved this movie,” Tam said.
“It’s a good flick.”
“She’s so real, you know? She makes mistakes, gives up, struggles, but eventually she makes her dream come true.” He could feel Driver looking at him and turned to meet his gaze. “What?”
“Nothing.”
Tam bumped Driver’s shoulder with his. “Tell me.”
“It’s just, your description reminds me of someone else I know.”
Their eyes locked and Tam held his breath. For a split second the urge to lean forward and kiss Driver overwhelmed him and he could see Driver felt the same. Tam wasn’t like the Alex character, but he wanted to be.
He wanted to be fierce enough to face down his memories. He wanted to be tough enough to stand up for himself and his dreams. He wanted to be smart enough to find a solution for the Sassy Boyz and determined enough to keep his found-family together.
He wanted a lot of things.
Especially the guy sitting next to him.
* * *
“Honestly, I didn’t think I’d see you again after last night.” Tam twisted a lock of hair around his finger. His words struck Driver in the chest. Flashdance was long over, the pizza destroyed and their second bottles of beer sat empty. Yet they hadn’t moved and Driver didn’t want to. He’d be content to lie on Tam’s floor in the dark all night long.
As long as Tam was beside him.
“Why? Do I give off the asshole vibe?”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m just...”
“Fun, creative, interesting, attractive...shall I go on?”
Tam scooched down and rested his head on the couch cushions, leaning a little toward him so the heat of his body warmed his side. It was more soothing than the ride from Connecticut had been and for the first time since leaving his grandparents’ house, Driver didn’t feel the need to run. In fact, for the past two hours he hadn’t wanted to be anywhere else.
“I have a hard time seeing myself the way you seem to see me.”
“Yeah, I’ve figured that out. You’re all kinds of insecure. Except when you dance. That’s when you soar above everyone else. You’re royalty, a shooting star.”
“Shut up.” Tam nudged him in the ribs.
Driver wrapped an arm around Tam’s shoulders and pulled him closer, closing his eyes. “Thank you for tonight. I needed this.”
“Why?” Tam’s voice was quiet but curious.
With Tam’s head resting on his chest, the comfort of a full belly and the low buzz of cheap alcohol in his blood, things didn’t seem as crucial as they had in the light of day.
“I had a tough day. Visited my grandparents and it brought up things I’d rather not remember.”
Tam slipped an arm around his waist and squeezed. He didn’t press for more information, just accepted what he was given. Unspeakably grateful, Driver found Tam’s hand on his lap and entwined their fingers. He never spoke about the tragedy. The only friends who knew about it had been there at the time. Brandon and Harrison understood not to bring it up because if they did, Driver would be gone in a flash.