“Hey, guys.” I tuck my keys away before placing my purse down on the kitchen counter. “How’s it going?”
“Yeah, good, we’re just—” Tobin’s voice cuts off as he glances back at me, then spots Tyrell in the doorway. His lips part, his eyes bulging in awe and… yep, there’s the appreciation. “Hi there.” He greets Tyrell in a breathy voice, following it up with a giggle before spinning to have a silent conversation with Jed.
Jed nods, his eyes rounding, and I can almost hear him saying,“I know! I told you. Didn’t I tell you!”
Clearing his throat, Tobin spins back around, resting his forearm on the back of the couch before perching his chin on topof it. “I’m Tobin. And you are…?” He eyes Tyrell up like he’s a tasty treat, and I internally groan.
“Uh… hi.” Tyrell’s voice is so deep compared to Tobin’s. He rumbles out an awkward hello, waving at the couple on the couch who look about ready to ask him if he’s open to a threesome.
Seriously!
Stepping in front of Tyrell, I try to create a protective shield, which is kind of a joke considering how tall he is. The top of my head reaches to only just above his shoulders, and he’s such a broad, imposing unit that I basically fit within his outline. But I can still hide the middle part, right?
“So, I thought Dani was out with Sutton tonight.” Jed taps his boyfriend on the shoulder. “Why is she coming home with Tyrell here?”
I roll my eyes, dipping my chin and muttering to the floor, “Sutton was a bust.”
“What?” Jed pops off the couch, straightening his shirt as he moves around to me. “What happened?”
I’m in his arms before I know what’s happening, and Tobin vaults off the couch too. I’m soon cocooned between my roommates as they ask me multiple questions about the date, and I mumble out my answers.
“Ugh. What a putz!” Tobin’s the first to break away from the hug, resting his hands on his hips and frowning at Jed. “Why did you recommend him?”
“I didn’t!” Jed tries to defend himself. “She asked me if he was safe, and I said yes. I didn’t know he was an arrogant douchebag. Of course I wouldn’t have told her to go for it if I’d known that.” He rolls his eyes, letting me go, but still hovering nearby. “Girl, why didn’t you call us?”
“I don’t know,” I grumble, crossing my arms and glancing at Tyrell.
He gives me one of his gentle smiles, and I immediately do know.
I called him because he’s Black Jack. The quiet guy Atlas could always rely on. The one who came when he called, who listened when he ranted, who calmed things down when tensions got too high.
“Well, I’m… gonna take off.” He points over his shoulder.
“Are you sure?” Tobin’s sweet face drops with disappointment. “You’re welcome to stay. We’re probably going to crack open the ice cream and have sympathy sundaes.”
Tyrell grins. “In that case, I should definitely go.” He pats his rock-hard abs. “Ice cream’s a weakness for me. Better leave and avoid temptation.”
I smile back at him when he catches my eye, then mouth, “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” His deep voice is husky. “I’ll text you, okay?”
“Okay.” I nod, this warm sensation buzzing through my chest as I wave goodbye and watch him walk out the door.
The second he’s gone, both Jed and Tobin start swooning, gushing about how hot he is and how sweet it was that he dropped everything to come get me when I called.
“I don’t even know why I called,” I say, opening the container of ice cream Tobin hands me.
Cookie dough with caramel ripple. Yum!
I’m not sure I’m ready to admit that I didn’t think they’d understand. I don’t want to hurt their feelings.
Pulling me to the couch, which is shaped like an L, I’m shoved into the corner pocket while they sit on either side of me and make me rehash the date. I don’t spare a detail while they make all the supportive, appropriate noises only true friends can make.
“What an asshat,” Jed grumbles. “I’m spitting in his next beer.”
Tobin grins. “I love you, baby.”
Jed’s lips twitch, and they share a gooey smile while I focus on the ice cream. I’ve eaten half the container already and am starting to feel sick, but I can’t seem to stop scooping out little spoonfuls to suck on.
