“It’s just the sign…”
Inside, it’s a pretty typical-looking pub-style diner with wood-paneled walls and drab tan booths. The only patron is a bearded guy sitting at the bar, staring blearily into his beer.
We stop at a sign that says, “Please wait to be seated” and wait. And wait. And wait.
I glance at Bastian, who looks back at me with a shrug. Finally, a waitress wearing a little powder-blue dress walks through some swinging double doors, and spots us loitering awkwardly.
She’s about our age, her long, dark hair pulled into a tight ponytail. She smiles warmly as she approaches, and I feel Bastian relax.
“I’m so sorry to keep you boys waiting.”She smacks her gum, the fruity scent wafting through the air. “We don’t have many customers this time of year. Just the two of you?” She looks around us as if someone else might walk in.
I nod. “Yes, the two of us for lunch.”
She nods and leads us to a booth by the foggy window, and I slide into the seat, my fingers skating over the bench’s cracked vinyl surface as I settle in.
“Do y’all need a minute?” the waitress asks, handing us some menus.
“Please,” Bastian says.
We sit in the quiet, enjoying the warmth while we look over our menus. When I make a decision, I glance up. Sebastian is looking outside, his brows knitted.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Why do you think something’s wrong?”
I give him a small smile. “You’re not as mysterious as you think you are, Bastian. You look worried.” He gives me a rueful look, and I kick him gently under the table. “Talk to me.”
Bastian’s blue eyes meet mine shyly, and I’m struck by how warm and open he’s been since telling us about his abuse. Eventhough he still maintains an air of grumpiness, his prickly attitude has definitely softened.
“I just have this feeling,” he says, shifting in his seat.
“What kind of feeling?”
“Don’t laugh.” He gives me a pointed look. “But it’s a bad feeling. Like something’s about to happen. To Fi. Or to us.” He taps his finger against the table and shakes his head. “I don’t know. I just want to get back to her.”
“You love her.” The words fall from my lips before I think about what they mean, and Bastian’s eyes collide with mine. He opens his mouth like he wants to protest, but I raise my hand, cutting him off. “You don’t need to hide it from me. I won’t tell her.”
“You’re not mad about it?”
I shrug one shoulder and look down at my hands as I consider my reply. Finally, I look back up. “I guess I understand because I’ve loved her since I met her freshman year. How could you not?”
He gives me an incredulous look. “I’m glad you understand because I sure don’t.” He scrubs the nape of his neck. “I’ve never been in love. Hell, I’ve hardly ever been in lust. And I don’t even know her that well, but I know I want to be with her. It’s fucking weird.” He scrunches his nose. “The first time I met Fi when Charlie brought her over, I guess it was love at first sight, but that sounds so stupid and cheesy. I–I…”
The flustered look on his face is almost as hot as watching him come apart while he blew me yesterday. My dick hardens and I try to redirect my thoughts, but his leg keeps brushing mine under the table.
I clear my throat, and he looks up at me.
“I get it,” I say with an easy smile. “We’re not rivals in this. We’re on the same team.”
He nods slowly and reaches across the table, his fingers tentatively grazing mine. But the waitress appears with a tray ofwaters, and Bastian jerks his hand back. The tension between us shatters.
We order our food, and I try to reestablish the connection we just lost. “You know my story, so tell me yours. Tell me about when you met Fi.”
Sebastian gives me a small smile and leans back in his seat. “She came to Vancouver one afternoon with Charlie after she and the boys had a falling out.” He takes a breath, blowing it out as his electric eyes connect with mine. “I felt instantly comfortable around her, which is pretty much unheard of for me.”
I cock my head. “Because of the abuse?” I ask softly, and then I could kick myself.Why would you bring that up, Brantley?“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I shouldn’t have…”
He shrugs, looking down at his hands. “No, it’s okay. That always plays a factor when I’m intimate with people. But…” He shakes his head. “The attraction part is because of my sexuality, I think.”
