Nodding slowly, I said, “He knows I want to start fresh with him. I can’t imagine he’d agree to the gay bar and then…” I couldn’t even say it. “Unless he decides to pay me back for what I did to him in high school.” Could I take the invitation back? That would be a shitty thing to do.
“Does he seem like the vindictive type?” Malik worried his lower lip. “Fuck, I’m sorry I said anything. You looked so happy when you came home, but now, you look broken.”
I squeezed my bottle, the plastic crunching. I’d have to take my chances with Wren. He was worth it, and if he ended up withsomeone else on Saturday night, so be it. “If Wren gets flirty with someone else, I’ll leave.”
“Okay, we’ll all leave. I’ll let Tex know.” He squeezed my thigh. “We’ll have your back.”
My attention drew to him. “Thanks, man. I don’t think he’d do something like that, but we’re not even dating. I think he’s trying to friend-zone me right now.”
Twisting his lips, Malik said, “Maybe me and Tex can have a little chat with him.”
“No, don’t do that.” Shaking my head, I freed a soft chuckle. The last thing I needed was their meddling. Oh, fuck…I fixated on Malik. “And don’t interrogate him.”
“Who, me?” With a sly grin, he pointed his thumb into his chest. “Never.”
Scoffing a chuckle, I said, “Oh boy.” Saturday would be an interesting night.
Saturday night,under the blazing lights of the stadium and slightly cooler than normal temperatures, we were pounding Texas State. I’d had a few flirty glances with Wren, and things were feeling damn good.
It was the third quarter, and we were ahead by two touchdowns. Texas had just received the ball, and I strolled onto the field to take up my position. They’d been running most of their plays, and I had to keep my sights on their running back.
As I crouched on the field, I watched the snap and the quarterback draw back with the ball.
Pushing off a Texas offensive lineman, I rushed toward the quarterback. Maybe he’d hold the ball long enough for me to get to him.
The Texas running back swiveled and stopped.
A short pass spiraled through the air, speeding right at me. “Shit.” I wasn’t expecting that. The dude was way off.
“Dawson, pick it!” Penny called out.
Jumping in the air, I snatched the ball and dropped. All we needed was the damn ball back. The offense could get the yards.
A few linemen pounced on me, their fingers digging into my arms as they attempted to rip the ball from me. Under my breath, I muttered, “Sons of bitches, get off me. I dropped.”
A whistle blew, and in my peripheral vision, a yellow flag fell to the field. Over the speakers, the announcer said, “Unnecessary roughness, offense.”
The linebackers stood and hung their heads. “Sorry, man.” One of them held his hand toward me.
I grabbed it, and he hauled me up. “No worries, you just gave away fifteen yards.” With a shake of my head, I tossed the ball to the ref and jogged past Casey as he took to the field.
“Great play, Dawson. When are you taking over JJ’s old spot?” He slapped my shoulder pad and cackled.
“In your dreams, Carter.” With a knowing glance at Wren, I puffed my chest and sauntered to the bench. Yeah, my man saw that.
Where the hell was Wren?He wouldn’t stand me up, would he? I stood inside the gay bar at a tall table against the wall with Malik and Tex, the lights flashing to the beat of the techno music and shot boys wandering around in tiny Speedos. With my gut gnawing, I glanced at my phone. He was fifteen minutes late.
“Do you think he won’t show?” Malik sipped a beer from a plastic glass.
“I, I don’t know.” Maybe something bad happened to him? I tapped the screen of my phone and opened my text app.
“There he is.” With a broad grin, Tex pointed to Wren, pushing through the crowd with a clear drink in his hand.
“Oh, thank God.” My heart did a happy dance, and my entire face smiled. I jogged to Wren and wrapped him in a bear hug,lifting his legs off the floor and nuzzling his neck. Was it too much? So fucking what? I’d been worried about him.
“Eli, put me down.” With a giggle, he kicked his legs.
“Sorry.” I set him on his feet and grabbed his shoulders, my gaze sweeping his slender frame, wrapped in a sheer white crop top and snug jeans. “You look amazing.”
