“Honey, this date was over before it began,” I mutter under my breath. Still, our mother did raise us with manners…sort of. “Wait. It’s starting to get dark outside. Please allow us to walk you to your car.”
She scoffs. “Why would I want to be walked to my car buy a trio of untrustworthy men?”
“Well,I’mgay. You actually can trust me,” Omar says with a moderately evil eyebrow raise.
Anders punches him in the arm. “I heard that! Bisexuals are trustworthy.”
Omar nods. “True story. It’s the straight people we don’t trust.”
On that note, Haisley flounces off, and I stare down at the two snickering idiots as they move to the other side of the booth. “I hope you two are happy with yourselves.”
Omar turns to me, limply gesturing at Anders. “You know as well as I do that there’s no stopping your brother.”
“That’s because I’m an unstoppable force,” Anders says, pinching his shirt.
“No, it’s because you’re a menace,” Omar says, gripping his chin to pull him in for a sweet kiss.
I sit there, mouth open, while they practically make out in front of me. Several moments later, they finally stop kissing long enough to touch their foreheads together.Seriously?
“Well, thanks for coming on my date, guys. It was super nice of you to show me exactly what I’m missing,” I deadpan, hoping DeShaun is okay.
I’ve completely lost them to each other, so I watch Haisley walk to her car from the window. I’m struck with a vision of the next several months, and it’s a never-ending nightmare of horrible dates and random Anders interferences. It makes my stomach clench.
I don’t want this.
I hate this…this fucked-up way of meeting people casually, vaguely sort of hoping that something will eventually work out and I’ll find the one.
I already know who the one is, goddammit.
I stew for a few minutes, ignoring my brother’s curious look.
“Hey, Odd, about the thing with Park. You don’t have to go on dates just to satisfy my—”
I hold up my finger, cutting him off. “Youshush. Keep making out with your boyfriend. I’m trying to figure out my life here.”
He goes to say something else, but Omar puts his hand over Anders’ mouth. “Darling, give your brother a chance to work it out on his own.”
My brother sits back with a huff. I’d take umbrage with the fact that he’s pouting right now, but I’m pouting too.
Fuck that, obviously.
What I need is a better plan. A plan ofaction.
I look down at my phone and flick through the multitude of text messages from my trusted friends. This isn’t just banter. They’re fighting forus.
“Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout, broseph?” Anders asks cautiously.
Why the fuck am I not fighting for us?
“Odd?”
Parker says he’s terrified, and I’ve been trying to be gentle…respectful of his wishes. But maybe what he needs to see is that someone is willing to fight for him. I’ve been a warrior for so many, but not for the one person I love more than anything.
That stops tonight.
I refocus on the present moment, amused by my brother’s concerned look. Tapping my chin, I point at him as I respond. “Call me crazy, but I think it’s time to go full Anders.”
Anders’ jaw unhinges and he jackass-grins at Omar, raising his fists in the air, à la Rocky Balboa. Omar drops his forehead to his hands. “Whatever you’re thinking, please reconsider. At a minimum, it’s a bad idea to brand any adventure with your brother’s name.”
