I take a deep breath and decide to answer honestly. “Pretty much everyone has been professional, if not kind, since I started last year. I’ve heard a few unfortunate words here and there, but I’ve felt welcome on campus.” His smile dips when I imply someone might have been mean to me. “I like Jenna and Lilly.”
“Those two are fucking nuts.” He rolls his eyes, but it’s with a fondness I wish I shared with any of them.
“They are, but they’ve let me tag along a few times to get drinks and dinner. I’m not great at making friends, mostly because I focus on work and am used to being introverted. Heacock has been…” Brandon scowls, his brows dipping, creating a cute crease in his forehead. “It would be all he-said, he-said.” I continue when he opens his mouth, knowing he’s going to ask why I haven’t said anything to anyone. “I’m gay, I don’t hide it, and I’m not ashamed of it. My sexuality isn’t up for discussion, however. I suppose, I figured that if Heacock is so vocal about his distaste for my lifestyle, then perhaps others on the football team would agree. Including you.”
He doesn’t respond right away. His eyes trained over my shoulder as he thinks over what I’ve said. When he looks me in the eye, I’m hit with the full force of his attention and it’s overwhelming. “I do not believe your intention was to compare me or lump me in the same category as Heacock.” He places his hand over mine on the table to stop me from responding. The warmth and shock of his touch forces blood to surge south, swelling my dick painfully. He squeezes my hand, then withdraws and I miss it, his comfort and the roughness of his hand. “I know that’s not how you meant it. I never got the impression that you wanted to be friends outside of work. Had I known, I would have been bothering you to hang out all the time. I only give campus tours to people I like.” I chuckle breathily, trying to keep me from throwing myself at him across the table.“Your sexual preferences are as irrelevant to me as Brody’s or Jenna’s. I’m more concerned with who you are as a person.” I smile happily, my stomach flipping at his words. I won’t get railed by the two by four he keeps in his pants, but I can call him friend and that’s awesome too.
I suck in a harsh breath at the speed at which his expression sours. He looks angry and I have no idea what caused the sudden change. His jaw clenches, and he leans over the table, his eyes glittering with fury. I can’t tell if it’s directed at me or not.
“Anytime you are in the complex, I want your phone to record the sound. Heacock ever, EVER, approaches you again, spewing his fucking bullshit, you get away from him as fast as possible and come find me.” The pointer finger of his right hand digs into the table as he taps it to punctuate each word. “His days are fucking numbered.”
“Ok.” I’m not sure what to say to that, other than…Take me! Take me now!
“I mean it, Oscar. I don’t want you alone with him.” He inhales deeply and releases it on a slow measured exhale. “Give me your phone, please.” I hand it over without argument, willing to do whatever Bossy Brandon commands. I am here to serve him and only him. Jesus, I need some help.
Help with this erection!
He frowns at my screen, even as he types. His own phone chimes but he makes no move to pull it out of his pocket. Glancing up briefly, I’m pinned to the spot from the intensity of his stare. “Lock your phone with a passcode or facial ID.”
“Ok.” I am a well-educated man…but I am incapable of forming complete sentences when he’s looking at me like this. Ugh. My poor gay heart isn’t gonna survive being Beiler’s friend. But I’mgonna do it anyway, because I am not stupid enough to pass up this opportunity.
“Brandon!” We both look up at the intrusion, smiling in greeting as Lyndell barrels his way through the restaurant toward us. “I saw you from the sidewalk!” My interactions have confirmed that Lyndell Wicawiil has two volumes, loud and louder.
“Lyndell, my man. Where’s Ty?”
“He’s in class. I’m walking.” Lyndell looks at me and grins. “Mr. Band Man.”
“Hey, Lyndell.”
“You were mad, Brandon. Did Band Man make you mad?” Lyndell gives me some serious side-eye. I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my smile.
“Not at all. We were talking about Heacock.”
Lyndell groans, sounding like a disgruntled teen. His lips twist side to side, before he leans down and says, “I have something I want to tell you. Because I think you’ll laugh. But also, I’ll get in trouble, so I didn’t tell anyone because I don’t want Ty to take away dessert.”
Brandon and I share an amused smirk across the table, before he reassures Lyndell, “You won’t get into trouble, I promise.”
Lyndell considers it for all of three seconds before stating, “I couldn’t poop.” I’m not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t that. “I eat a lot of cheese. Like A LOT! Anyway, Ty got me medicine that was gross, but it got the poop moving.” I’m pretty sure a few tables are listening in as well, it would be hard not to, given the volume of Lyndell’s voice. “Heacock is full of poop.” I lift a shoulder in agreement, nodding along with Brandon. “So, I thought he could use the medicine to get his poop moving too.”Lyndell is having a hard time speaking, his giggles ramping up with each word.
Brandon’s eyes widen in realization. “When he ran off the field last season clutching his ass?”
Lyndell sobers enough to state confidently, “He had explosive diarrhea. And I’m not sorry.”
Brandon shifts in the booth to get his phone. Lyndell stares at the device like it’s going to bite him. “You have no reason to be sorry. I’m calling your brother.”
“WHAT? Why? You said I wouldn’t get in trouble.” I can’t help but laugh at Lyndell’s whiny voice.
“I’m letting Ty know Oscar and I are taking you for ice cream because that’s almost the best thing I’ve heard all day.” Brandon spares me a quick glance, the heat in his gaze catching me by surprise.Almost the best thing. Could that mean…when he heard me this morning is the best thing he’s heard all day? Or am I reading into something that isn’t there?
I shake my head to dispel any such silly notion.
Lyndell’s entire body sags in relief, then instant excitement. “He’s in class.” He digs his foot into the wood flooring and twists innocently, his head down. “Let’s not bother him.” He looks at Brandon from beneath his dark lashes with a mischievous grin. “We’ll get ice cream, and I’ll add it to the list of things my brother doesn’t need to know.”
“Lyndell!” I gasp in shock.
He shrugs casually, the innocent act well practiced. Ty has his hands full. “I still have the medicine.”
Brandon tosses his head back, howling in laughter, the entire dining room staring at us, as my jaw drops. “Did you just threaten us with a laxative if I tell your brother?”
