Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
What the hell was that bullshit?
Chances were, this time next year, he’d have another girlfriend lined up and our time together would be long forgotten. I’d only be a blip on his radar. Fitting, really.
So why did that make me feel so fucking melancholy?
Man, I was losing it.
“Why don’t you two just screw already?” Devers said, and my heart almost stopped right then and there. But when I hesitantly lifted my eyes, I realized he’d been motioning a few feet away to Jasmine, where she and Kellan had stopped to talk to a friend. “She’s smokin’ hot.”
“We’re only friends,” I said, and to stop any more scrutiny, added, “Besides, she’s seeing someone.”
“I heard she’s got a girlfriend who doesn’t go to Easton U,” Fischer said.
“For real?” Devers whistled. “Man, what I wouldn’t do to be a fly on that wall.”
In my side view, I saw Donovan stiffen. I suddenly got it—the way people could be reduced to their sexuality when they had so many more layers.
As if reading my thoughts, Girard piped in to add the perfect levity. “Why does everything with you gotta turn into a sexual reference? You hard up or something?”
“Always,” Devers said with a sheepish grin.
As we gathered our things to head our separate ways, Hollister leaned toward me. “Dawn’s coming over tonight, and we’re gonna order pizza. Donovan’s out because he’ll be at Kellan’s. How about you—you in?”
“Count me out too. Gotta meet my dad for dinner.”
Hollister threw Donovan a look I recognized all too well. By now, they knew my stepfather’s track record. But it was unlikely he’d cancel this time, not when he was introducing me to the woman he was dating, though I might’ve welcomed it.
“We’re gonna catch a softball game after class,” Fischer told Girard. Fischer’s girlfriend played for the university team. “Wanna tag along?”
He shook his head. “Sorry, gonna head straight home, then to the bowling alley.”
“You always gotta work.”
Girard shrugged and waved his goodbyes, his gaze lingering long enough on mine to make the butterflies kick up in my stomach. Now that I understood why and how much he helped his parents, I wanted to defend him to these guys, but he was doing fine all on his own. Besides, I didn’t want to give anyone the impression that we were becoming friendlier or something.
After class, I stopped home to change, uploaded schoolwork on my laptop, then got on the road for the hour-long drive to the Mexican restaurant.
As usual, I was the first to arrive, so I ordered a drink and ate some chips and salsa while I waited. The server was new and had such a bubbly personality, it was almost too much for my anxious mood.
When he gave me a sly once-over, I could feel the flush crawling over my cheeks. I’d gotten attention from gay men before, but this time, I was allowing myself the room to let the notion soak in. The idea that I was attracted to guys—at least one guy—so I could also appreciate that the server was cute. Not as good-looking as Girard, but that was nothing new. No one else seemed to compare, and that was a fucking problem.
My stepfather and Nina finally walked in, and Dad seemed more sedate, shy even, so he must’ve really liked her. And it was obviously mutual because she beamed when he held her seat out for her. Very chivalrous, I’d give him that, and come to think of it, he’d always done the same for Mom.
“Nice to meet you, Mason,” Nina said once Dad introduced us. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Did that mean she knew all about my mom and what we’d gone through? Probably. Why else would Dad agree to still be involved in my life, even if at this point, it was only loosely?
“You too.” It was the best I could manage, even though I didn’t know much about her outside the fact that they both liked to travel and worked in the same industry. They had apparently met at some conference in the fall.
When the server bounced up to take our order and asked me in a flirty voice if I wanted more salsa, I knew exactly what my stepdad was thinking. Thankfully, he didn’t announce it, only briefly scowled in his direction.
Why do they need to flaunt it?
Don’t worry, Dad, no one’s trying to subvert your masculinity.
Mr. Bouncy Server was only being his true self, and wasn’t that refreshing? I sure as hell couldn’t say the same.
“So, we’ll be headed to the Keys for spring break,” I heard Dad saying. I needed to snap out of it.
“Cool,” I replied, though it wasn’t a surprise. According to Dad, they’d been on a few trips together by now.
“What about you? Going anywhere with the guys?” Dad winked. “Or girls?”
My stomach tightened and my jaw twitched. Man, my feelings were all over the map tonight. And as if to punctuate the subject matter, the bouncy server showed up to refill our drinks.