“He can come, too.”
It killed Cliff how much Dell was trying. But these walls had to stay up. No way could he tell his friend that he was going to meet this guy for some dirty sexytimes. The thought of admitting that aloud made his throat go dry.
“It’s okay.” Cliff walked backwards out of the locker room. “Next time, though.”
20
BRENNAN
This was the fanciest restaurant Brennan had ever dined in, no question. Fancy restaurants usually had names that sounded like law firms, and this one was no different. Clemson & Clay sat on the second floor of a building along the main drag in Duncannon, with large windows that looked out on the street. Parties in Saturday night attire huddled over tables with candles lit at the center while a piano player strummed a classical version ofBlinding Lightsin the corner.
Brennan and Cliff stuck out like sore thumbs with ten dollars worth of one-dollar sliders stacked on a plate between them. They managed to abide by the dress code but were easily the most underdressed people here. Brennan wore a dark green crew neck sweater and jeans, while Cliff had on a button-down plaid shirt and a lighter shade of denim.
“So I’m thinking that they expect people to buy more than sliders.” Brennan looked around, catching a few questionable looks from other patrons.
“We also got drinks.”
“We got Cokes.”
Cliff shrugged his shoulders and bit off half a slider. “These are so good,” he said before jamming the second half into his mouth.
“They won’t let us leave unless we finish all of these.”
“Are you serious?” Cliff asked with a mouth full of food. Did Cliff realize how funny he could be when he let his guard down?
“No. But we’ll tip the waiter well.” Brennan picked up the slider from the top of the burger pyramid, cheese drooping over the patty. The food hit the spot for him. The party he came from, like all college parties, only had drinks. “Whoever created the slider is a genius.”
“It’s just a small burger.”
“Genius.” The best ideas didn’t need to be convoluted. Brennan slapped the ketchup bottle at the 57 mark creating a puddle for his sliders. “This is for both of us.”
“You don’t put ketchup on your burger beforehand?”
“I prefer to dip as I go along. I found that when I put ketchup on my burger first, it’s never enough, or it plops out the back when I pick it up. I’m a fan of the dipping station.”
“Dipping station? You have a whole name for it.”
“Sure do.” Brennan gave him a kiss-ass smile. He found Cliff’s sarcasm a major turn on. It had bite, and it was a part of himself that Brennan knew others didn’t get to see.
“You’ve really given this thought,” Cliff said in the momentary space when he wasn’t chewing.
“I have a lot of time on my hands while I wait for artistic inspiration.” Brennan lowered his second slider into the dipping station. Cliff did the same without a second thought. It was a quick moment that felt surprisingly intimate to Brennan. It was like they’d already shared a thousand meals together.
“Was that ketchup just for you?”
“Uh, no.” Brennan pulled himself together. “You were great tonight.”
“I’m hoping to play more throughout the season.”
“I liked what I saw.” Brennan did a rewind sign with his hand. Now was not a time to flirt. He didn’t just stare at his thick arms and chest in his jersey - although he definitely enjoyed the view. Brennan really watched him tonight. He saw his skill and his talent up close. He wanted Cliff to know that. “I mean, the way you figured out who to pass to, what play to do, watching your opponents...basketball isn't just jocks throwing a ball in a hoop. You’re good, Cliff.”
Did he describe any of that well? Or did it make him sound super ignorant of sports?
He looked up to find Cliff quietly beaming at him, like a lighthouse shining into his empty sea. “Thanks.” He tapped Brennan’s foot under the table.”I went to Gorman the other day to hand in my latest assignment, and I may have snuck into the art studio where I may have checked out your pieces.”
“Oh?” Brennan tried to play it cool.
“I know I should say something sarcastic, but I can’t. It’s cool how you mix painting with real pieces of things. I’m not explaining it well, but you know what I mean.”
