Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Dex chuckles. “You’ve always been a lightweight.”
We move from room to room as Dex introduces me to a couple of housemates I haven’t officially met yet. Bruce seems nice, and Carson is a bit too smug for my taste, but my stomach still tightens with jealousy that he has these people to lean on now instead of me.
“You okay?” Dex asks, likely noticing the warring emotions on my face.
I deflect. “You know I’m not good in social situations.”
“You’re doing fine.” He playfully elbows me. “And that’s not always true. Only when you’re too self-aware.”
I nod, marveling at how well he knows me.
Two gorgeous guys walk by hand in hand, and Dex greets them.
“Wait, why do they look familiar?”
“Perry works at Shenanigans,” Dex replies, “and Theo is his boyfriend.”
“Oh yeah. Isn’t Perry…”
“Ty’s brother? Yeah.”
“Damn, they have good genes.”
Milo steps up with another guy with blond hair to his chin. Craig, if I remember correctly.
“Hey,” Milo says, smiling at us.
I smile back, feeling grateful it’s someone I’ve actually interacted with.
Craig stares at me. “You’re the guy in the photo.”
I look at Dex. “What photo?”
“The framed one I have of us from that time on Mission Beach.”
“Oh yeah.” He had it displayed in our dorm, so I’m pleasantly surprised he does here too.
Dex gestures to Milo. “He thought you were my boyfriend.”
I nearly choke on my drink, though it’s not the first time the assumption was made. “We’ve gotten that before.”
“Have you two ever—” Kael inquires.
“Hell no!” I say at the same time as Dex says, “Strictly friends.”
My face is warm, and I can’t look at Dex—either because I’ll start laughing or I’ll die inside.
It’s not like we never considered it over the years, but even having a conversation revolving around fooling around made us laugh too hard. Plus, losing him as a friend would suck.
“Sorry for being curious.” Kael winces. “It’s just that you two are cute.”
“Right?” Milo adds. “They practically finish each other’s sentences.”
I bury my head in Dex’s shoulder and feel him chuckle. “Okay, I think we’ve had enough of this topic.”
“Let’s go play beer pong or something,” I say, and Dex’s eyes light up. “Don’t act so surprised. You admitted I can be fun.” Besides, just standing there like I’m waiting for something to happen with the coffee-cart guy feels too awkward.
“Hey, I wasn’t the one needing convincing. I’m down,” Dex says, and since it’s too crowded around the table, we opt for the dartboard instead. Kael and I team up against Dex and Milo, and it’s actually fun.
“Two out of three,” I say after we lose again.
Kael smirks. “Who knew you were so competitive?”
When Dex smiles gleefully, I’m even more determined to beat them.
But Kael and I aren’t very good at aiming for the center of the board. I smile anyway because it’s a fun diversion. “Maybe next time.”
“Shenanigans has a dart board too,” Milo says. “Maybe you can practice.”
I stick out my tongue as he walks away laughing.
“Be right back,” Dex says. “Gonna see if Ian needs help.”
I blink and look around, wondering how much time has gone by, and that feeling sets in again about the stupid fucking flower.
That’s when I see him. My crush from the coffee cart.
I stare with my mouth hanging open—he actually showed. My stomach churns because I’m woefully bad at making conversation, not to mention my gaydar is broken or has never worked to begin with.
And that becomes apparent as he walks straight up to me, and I say, “Came, you…you did.”
“Yeah, I figured, why not?” The guy’s eyebrows arch up. “Are you practicing your best Yoda voice?”
Oh my God, kill me now. “No…yeah…I mean…”
I tilt my head back and guzzle the rest of my drink.
I’m sure I look like a complete fool, especially when I start coughing. “Wrong pipe,” I say in a hoarse whisper while I hack my lungs out.
Kael claps me on the back, but I can’t seem to stop. “I’ll go get you some water.”
The guy seems uncomfortable as he looks around at the crowd, waiting for me to get my sputtering under control. Yeah, good luck with that.
“So, where’s your other friend?” he asks, and I know he means Dex. More than likely he showed up because of Dex and his charming ways.
My best friend materializes out of thin air, concern in his gaze, not only because my face is no doubt purple by now but also upon seeing my coffee-cart crush.
“Oh, there you are,” my crush says, and I can hear the relief in his voice. “My name is Brandon, by the way.”
“Dex,” he replies, then pats my shoulder. “And this is Austin.”
Brandon barely acknowledges me as he addresses Dex. “Thanks again for the invite.”
“Technically, it was Austin who invited you.”
“Oh, I…” Brandon’s eyes widen. “Fuck, I didn’t realize…sorry about that.”
I try not to let my disappointment show, but what did I expect? I’m practically invisible to guys like him. Plus, if Dex didn’t constantly try to save me, I might be able to figure some stuff out on my own. On the other hand, if Dex didn’t nudge me to get out more, I’d never have any opportunities to begin with. Quite a conundrum.