They reminisced about their home state of Pennsylvania and checked out the sights in Boston together and … they werefriends.
Graham thought he probably knew Thad better than anyone else in the Harriers organization, probably better even than Thad’s twin brother, Gavin, since they’d been estranged for years. And yet, sometimes he wondered if he knew Thad at all.
“Hey,” Graham said now, leaning forward to touch Thad’s arm where he’d stretched out, fingers toying with the condensation on his nearly empty glass of iced tea. “You can talk to me, you know.”
“What do you want me to talk about?” Thad asked with a frown, leaning in too and looking Graham in the eye.
Graham opened his mouth, not even sure what he was going to say, when the waitress reappeared.
She glanced between them, then hesitated, hanging on to the little leather folder where the bill peeked out. “Uhh, shit. Um, so, I put my name and number on the back of the bill, but I didn’t realize you two were …” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, ignore it. Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to …”
Thad smiled, reaching out to take the folder. “What if I don’twantto ignore it?”
“Oh, uh …” She glanced between them again. “I wouldn’t be …”
“This guy and I work together,” Thad said smoothly. “We’re buddies, not dating. He has a girlfriend. I’m bi andverysingle.”
“Oh.” She smoothed her hair behind her ear. “Well, then … text me if you want.” She turned and walked away with a little bounce in her step before Graham could even manage a single word.
Thad dipped his head, skimming the bill before he pulled out his wallet and fished out a credit card.
“Are you sure?” Graham protested. “I mean?—”
Thad glanced up, smirking. “I’mverysure I’m bi and single. That’s never been in question.”
Graham reached for a wadded-up napkin and threw it at Thad.
It bounced off his pec and landed on the table. He was at least as fit as players like Graham, his upper body firm and honed under the snug T-shirt he wore. “Youknowwhat I mean. I was talking about paying for lunch.”
“I know you’re the big hotshot with the cushy deal, but I can swing a lunch or two here and there, dude. I do think it’s funny we keep getting mistaken for a couple though.”
“This is only the second time it’s happened!” Graham protested, his face feeling a little warm. He realized they still had their feet tangled together under the table and pulled away.
Nowonderthe waitress had thought they were dating.
“And how often does that happen when you’re out with some other guy on the team?” Thad asked teasingly.
“Fucking pay the bill and let’s get out of here, man,” Graham said with a groan rather than dignifyingthatwith a response.
Thad could be an asshole. He was, unfortunately, one of Graham’s closest friends at this point.
Possibly, Graham had terrible taste in friends.
“Yeah?” Thad drawled, slipping the credit card into the bill folder and holding it up, indicating to the waitress hovering nearby that he was ready. “Eager to get back to my place, huh?”
Graham sputtered, not sure if he’d deliberately timed it so she would hear his comment as she walked up or not.
“What the fuck? I thought you were trying to get a date with her,” Graham hissed when she was out of earshot again.
Thad shrugged. “I mostly enjoy flirting. I mean, I’ll text her and I wouldn’t turn herdownif she’s up for a hookup. She’s hot. But it’s not like I can’t find someone else.” He waved his phone.
Graham rolled his eyes. Yeah, Thad and his fucking apps. He seemed to have a new person in his bed all the time.
Thad settled back in his chair with a smug little smile. “But if you wanted and she was into it, I’d be up for the two of us double?—”
“What? No! Absolutely not. That isnotmy scene. Not part of the plan.”
“I know.” Thad’s tone turned mocking as he crooned the words. “You’re such a good little boy with your five-year plan to be married and have a Cup before you’re thirty.”
