“I’m sorry.”
Wyatt gave me a faint smile. “You have nothing to be sorry about, Ezra.”
“I know, but if we’re going to be friends, then it’s my job to say things like that.” I moved closer.
He chuckled softly. “I see why everyone likes you.”
“Everyone doesn’t like me. I’m very high maintenance.” No one had ever said that to me before. My heart thumped happily against my chest.
Wyatt broke into a big smile that lit up his entire face. His blue eyes crinkled around the corners as he watched me, his teeth appearing briefly before the smile disappeared. “That’s the first time in at least a week I’ve managed to smile. I forgot about Asher for a second.”
“You’ll forget about him forever once you start hanging out with me, boo.”
His eyes filled with tears, and as he tried to blink them away, one slipped down his cheek. He brushed it away quickly.
“If I meet him? I’ll just have to kick him in the shins. I’m assuming he’s big and tall like you? His loss is my gain, because now I have you in my life.”
Wyatt barked out a laugh. “He doesn’t see it that way. I think he’s in denial about his sexuality.”
“Like I said, his loss.” I reached over to squeeze his arm. “When Asher realizes how badly he fucked up? He’ll come crawling back, but by then?” I raised my hands. “You’ll be so in madly in love with the most fabulous man who will feel exactly the same way. You’ll say, Asher who?” I brought my hands together into a heart shape as a thought occurred to me. “Have you met Noel?”
Wyatt’s brows dipped. “The guy with the dark hair and two different colored eyes? Yeah, hard pass. He reminds me too much of Asher. Besides, doesn’t he have a kid? I can’t date a guy with a kid. A teenager, too.”
“Brother. Leo is his kid brother.” I nudged his side. “He’s cute, though, right?”
“Ezra, no.” He shook his head as he slipped his phone from his pocket and shoved it in my face. “Look at this.”
It was a picture of Wyatt with a raven-haired, blue-eyed man. Okay, I could see the resemblance. Asher, I assumed, was the one with him, but the eyes were wrong. He had tattoos on his arms and a scowl on his face. He didn’t look happy, and even though I thought Seth might be fun for Noel, he wasn’t going to be a permanent fixture in his life. Wyatt might be that someone if he could get over the one that broke his heart.
“Stop it. Whatever you’re thinking right now? I don’t want any part of it.”
I batted my lashes. “I’m not thinking of anything.” Lie. “It’s cold out here. We should go inside.” So, I can make you sit next to Noel. Maybe he’d like a big, strong hockey player with curly blond hair and sky-blue eyes.
“No, Ezra.” Wyatt pointed a finger at me before we started inside the house.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Yeah, but you’re thinking it. I can see the way your mind is working. I just had my heart broken by my closeted bisexual teammate.” Wyatt stopped to look at me. “What does he do for a living?”
Oh, okay, Mister Not-Interested-But-Curious. “He’s a NASCAR driver.”
“Hmm.” Wyatt chewed on his lip.
“Dinner’s done.” Maverick poked his head outside. “Did you give him the third degree about that dick, Asher? God, I swear. If I ever see him again?” He made a fist and punched his palm with it.
Wyatt snorted and shook his head. “You two are so much alike, it’s not even funny. You’re like two pretty little—”
Maverick cut him off. “Don’t you dare say twink, Wyatt Murray.”
“That’s what we are, boo. Why not just go with it?” I dragged a hand through my hair. “We’re pretty, we’re twinks. It’s not a bad thing.” I hooked my arm through Wyatt’s. “We’re friends now. This is what I do with my friends. I’m not hitting on you,” I assured him. “CC will not get upset.”
Wyatt shrugged. “As long as your boyfriend doesn’t think I’m trying to steal you. I don’t need to get into a fight with someone because you’re super affectionate with me.”
“I don’t, so you have nothing to worry about, Wyatt.” CC appeared behind Maverick and winked at me. “Just checking on you, princess.”
I preened happily. “See? He knows me. Let’s go eat. I’m dying to try this casserole Maverick made.”
