Marcos looks like he doubts the validity of that, but isn’t in the mood to argue. He honestly doesn’t seem like he’s inthe mood for much. I’m not sure why he’s even here, since he clearly isn’t having a great time.
“I’d better go.” He sighs, but stays standing right where he is. His eyes flick to mine and he sighs again.
“I’m sorry about the horse thing, really. I’m just tipsy enough to say stupid things, I guess. But,” I rush to add, before he gets any ideas to the contrary, “not drunk enough that I would regret propositioning someone.”
He huffs a very soft laugh, but doesn’t smile as he looks away from me and back to the house. My skin buzzes with an un-scratchable itch that seems to get worse the longer I stare at him. I want to brush my fingers into his hair, and put my hands on his hips; squeeze a little tighter than I would with a girl. I want to put my mouth places I’ve never considered putting my mouth before. I justwant.
“My roommate plays for the hockey team,” Marcos says suddenly. He’s got his phone in his hand, and he’s biting his lip as he looks down at it. “Max.”
“No way! Kuemper is a fucking beast. Love that guy.” I don’t know him well—Max Kuemper could give Micky a run for his money on being the shyest member of our team—but the man can play damn good hockey. I smile at Marcos, trying to get him to return it, but he doesn’t take the bait.
“Yeah, Max is great,” he responds quietly, with a look on his face I can’t quite discern. Sadness?
“I only know him from the team,” I admit. “Micky—my friend that I came with tonight—and I are close, but Kuemper mainly hangs with Vas. Well, and Carter Morgan, but he’s gone now. You probably already know that.”
I force my mouth closed, before I continue rambling like an idiot. Taking a deep breath, I shake out my hands. I’m feeling twitchy with nerves and lust. I wish he wasn’t playinghard to get. I’m not one to shy away from feelings, or what I want. Well, tonight I want Marcos, and I’ll be damned if I don’t give it my best shot.
“Is Max here?” I ask.
“No,” he answers firmly, almost harshly. Like a warning.
“Okay.” I rock up onto my toes and back onto my heels a couple times.
“You know, you probably shouldn’t walk around asking random people to hook up,” he says, after the silence goes on a beat too long. “Not when you look like—well, someone might take you up on it, that’s all I’m saying.”
“That was the point.”
“Thewrongperson might take you up on it,” he corrects. “Someone could take advantage of you.”
“I wish you would,” I mumble, loud enough for him to hear judging by the sharp bark of laughter. I grin and finally,finally,he smiles back. “I don’t ever ask people to hook up, by the way. That just…came out.”
“People usually come up to you, huh?”
“Yeah,” I admit. There’s no sense in lying about it. I’m always the one being pursued by girls—it very rarely happens the other way around. Marcos nods, evidently unsurprised by this information. I clear my throat. Might as well lay all my cards on the table. “I’ve never been with a guy, either, so there’s that.”
“Wait, what?”
“Never. Couldn’t tell you what it is, but you’ve definitely got me feeling some type of way.” I shrug, trying to play off the way my stomach has been turning cartwheels since I saw him across the room. “Thought I was probably straight until fifteen fucking minutes ago.”
“Oh my god,” he mumbles, giving a single small shake ofhis head. He pulls his phone out again, head ducked as he checks something. I do the same, reminded suddenly of the fact that I’m currently being a bad friend to Micky.
Nate
Hey, Micky Mouse, you good??
Micky
I’m good. Jose is here and we are talking about anime.
Nate
I’m not sure I like that you have other friends.
Micky
Nobody could ever replace you, Nate, jewel of my heart, and light of my life.
Where did you go, anyway?
