“True.” I tucked my lower lip between my teeth and released it. “I’m going to a gay bar with him and his football buddies after the game on Saturday.” What would he think of that?
Bursting into a sharp laugh, he said, “Dude, seriously? You know what’ll happen. You two will get drunk, dance and then someone’s getting laid.”
“Stop. I can control myself better than that.” A smile spread across my lips. I’d have to watch myself, or he’d be right.
“Wren, when’s the last time you got laid? I haven’t heard you talk about any other guys since school started again.”
“I don’t know. Last summer when I met the guy at the pool hall?” I didn’t even remember his name and had been pretty sure he wasn’t out. With a sigh, I sank deeper into the couch.
“You got lucky that night, and I didn’t. I don’t know how you do it.” He snorted. “Anyway, I hope you have a good time on Saturday night and please don’t overthink it.”
“You know that’s impossible.” I chuckled. “I’m already overthinking it.” Which was why I called him.
“Okay, so see how it unfolds and only do what’s comfortable for you. I know you. If you’re uncertain about him, you’ll pull back again.” He huffed. “Don’t get hurt again.”
“I’ll try not to.” I pressed my lips together. But with love, there were no guarantees. I’d have to control myself on Saturday, but it would be hard. “Thanks, Ethan.” My head was a little clearer now.
“You’re welcome. Now go to bed. You have school in the morning, young man.” He snickered.
“Yes, Dad.” With a soft chuckle, I glanced toward the hallway. Good, Grace hadn’t woken up. “Goodnight, Ethan.”
“Goodnight.” He ended the call.
SEVEN
ELI
After parking in the driveway, I moseyed into the house through the front door.
“How was the date? Did you get any?” Malik, sitting on the sectional, paused a YouTube video and gave me a wicked grin.
“No, and I wasn’t seeing Wren for that.” With a scoff, I ambled into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and pulled out a Gatorade. I should start hydrating for the game. It would be hot as hell, and I didn’t need any muscle cramps taking me down. “Why are you still up?”
“Do you really think I could sleep knowing you were on a date with your ex?” With a quick laugh, he glanced at the paused television. “I got sucked into this stupid video about aliens, and I lost track of time.”
“Aliens?” As a grin played on my lips, I unscrewed my bottle and dropped onto the corner of the couch. “Since when have you believed in aliens?”
“Since we don’t know how they built the pyramids, and they would have had the technology.” He lifted his chin. “Tell me what happened tonight, since I’m here.”
With a shrug, I said, “We addressed some things, caught upon our lives and then reminisced about our time together in high school?—”
“Oooh, reminisced? About the good times you had together?” He shifted, straightening on the couch. “That’s a good sign.”
“Yeah, and then we gossiped about the people we grew up with.” I sipped my drink. I’d felt pretty good about our chances until he dodged my kiss. “He wouldn’t let me kiss him goodnight, though.”
“Oh, that’s bad.” His brows lowered. “So, no parking lot BJs?”
“Nope. Not even a proper kiss.” I picked at the label on my bottle. “He said he’s not ready. But he agreed to join us at The Club on Mill after the game on Saturday.” My gaze met his.
With his brows lifting, he said, “You invited him to the gay bar?”
“I did.” I ticked my head. Did he have a problem with it? Maybe I should have asked the guys before I invited him.
Peering at me, he said, “What’ll you do if some guy hits on him and he goes home with him?” He hooked a brow.
Heat ignited in my chest. “He wouldn’t do that.” But we weren’t together, and I technically had no say. I hung my head. “Fuck, he better not do that.”
“He knows how you feel about him, right?” He shifted closer to me. “I’m sorry, man. I don’t know if this is a good idea unless you two are solid.”
