“He suggested the scent. And I like it. It does smell like falling leaves.” Patrick could articulate the reason behind the candle better than he could, so where was he?
Spencer pulled out his phone, about to text him, but he stopped himself. He wasn’t going to do the desperate thing and act like some boyfriend who got stood up. He was not the mushy type. Even though his insides were crumbling. Even though the memories of their fall day and watching fall-designated movies together and people watching on their commute lanced his heart.
Don’t be mushy, he told himself. They weren’t in a relationship. Therefore, there was nothing to be hurt over. Spencer had sworn off relationships for exactly this reason, but now here he was feeling exposed and bruised over something that was not a relationship.
Twenty minutes later, Patrick finally arrived. Spencer was back in the kitchen having another beer and talking with Ryan and some of his volleyball teammates. He saw Patrick down the hall, and his heart did a quick somersault before he locked it down.
He glanced at Patrick as he came into the kitchen and gave his neighbor a quick nod of acknowledgement then turned back to his friends, something impersonal you would give to an acquaintance you passed on the street. He remained in place as his teammate Marshall went on about his strategies for Call of Duty, pretending to be interested.
Patrick squeezed between people and scooted around Ryan, who made room for him in their circle. He wore a navy v-neck sweater that hugged his chest and torso in all the right ways, but Spencer forced himself to avert his eyes.
“Hey. Nice foot,” Patrick said.
“Thanks for coming.”
“Sorry I’m late. I had to finish up case work when I got home.”
Spencer shrugged. “No worries. Come whenever. There’s beer and other good stuff in the fridge. Help yourself.”
“Um, cool.” Patrick stood there for an awkward extra second before heading to the fridge behind them; it took all of Spencer’s willpower not to pull him into his arms and plant a big, fat kiss on him. That was obviously not what Patrick wanted, and Spencer wasn’t going to be a sad, little puppy dog about things.
“Dude, I am so glad to have you back in action.” Marshall smacked his chest, something he did with every guy for emphasis. Spencer wasn’t sure how he held conversations with the opposite sex. “You gotta come out with us this week to the bars. Because it’s still warm out, Sidetracks has kept its outdoor section open.”
“This weather has been great,” Ryan said. “They’re saying it could hit seventy on Wednesday. We should corral the guys for a volleyball game. I think the nets might still be up.”
“Or maybe even play some pick-up basketball.”
Ryan and Marshall went back and forth with activity ideas, and Spencer couldn’t deny he was excited by what he was able to do. All the things he’d missed out on over the summer were in his grasp. He didn’t glance over his shoulder, but he knew Patrick was still there and probably hating the weather talk. October always had warm spells, one final hurrah before the cold settled in.
“What’s been up with this weather?” Patrick asked when he rejoined their group. Spencer caught a whiff of his cologne, which scrambled his circuits. “Why has it been so warm?”
“Aren’t you hot with that sweater on?” Marshall asked. Patrick was the only one not in short sleeves.
“It’s October. I can’t not wear a sweater.”
Spencer sputtered out a laugh, finding Patrick’s earnestness incredibly endearing.
“There’s always a warm spell in October,” Spencer said. “Usually only lasts a few days. The last hurrah before the cold officially takes over.”
“I don’t know, man,” Ryan said. “Remember last year? It was warm for most of the month. I remember going to a concert at Millennium Park, and it was full sun.”
“That would be awesome,” Marshall said.
“That would be climate change in full force,” Patrick said. “I really hope October isn’t like that. It’s prime fall season.”
Spencer’s friends traded a look with each other.
“We’ll bring jackets to the football game on Saturday just in case,” Ryan said.
“Football game?” Patrick asked, head cocked to the side.
“Spencer and I are going to a Northwestern game this Saturday. Neither of us went there, but we can’t afford Bears tickets, so it’s the next best thing.”
“Oh.” Patrick looked at Spencer as if he were going to say something. “I thought PumpkinFest was Saturday. You said you wanted to go.”
The guys shifted their eyes to Spencer. Patrick did, too, for completely different reasons. He felt himself turn roasted beet red.
“I didn’t know you were going to that,” Ryan said. “That’s cool.”
