“No, and back off.” With a huffed chuckle, I pushed him away. Casey could be a nosy fucker, but he always meant well.
“So, tell us what happened?” Casey said, planting his hands on his hips.
“Yeah, inquiring minds want to know.” Malik, centered on the sectional and next to Tex, paused the game on the TV with the remote.
I strode toward the kitchen. “We had a pleasant lunch followed by the new Marvel movie and made plans to see each other again.” Maybe I could use this to my advantage. Pulling a water bottle out of the refrigerator, I said, “I’d like to make him dinner one night this week.” I faced them all. “I’ll prepare the chicken dish, and I’ll make enough for leftovers, but you need to let me have the house alone.” I unscrewed the cap of my water bottle.
Tex’s brows raised. “There’s Thursday night football. Me and Malik can hit the sports bar around the corner.” He focused on Casey.
“I can spend the evening at Ryker’s house.” With a snort, he said, “At least I know I’ll get some.” He dropped into a chair at the kitchen island. “Haven’t you two already had sex when you were in high school? What’s the hold-up now?” He planted his elbow on the counter and his cheek in his hand.
“We’re taking it slow. We still have some emotional hurdles to get through.” More like Wren did. But then, I’d let what had happened affect me, too, hadn’t I? I drank my water.
With a shrug, Tex said, “So, you can invite him over on Thursday and we’ll leave you alone.”
“Text us when it’s safe to return and don’t let it go too late.” Malik tsked. “I need my beauty sleep.”
“Yeah, yeah.” With my heart lightening, I fished my phone from my pocket and texted Wren. Hopefully, Thursday would work for him.
Eli
I can get the house to myself on Thursday. Does that work for you?
Wren
It does. What time?
“What time should I tell him?” Holding my phone to my face, I peeked at them.
“The game starts at five-fifteen, so we’ll be gone by five,” Malik said.
“Okay, then I’ll tell him to be here around five.” I texted Wren the time. Having him here would let us move forward in ways being out in public couldn’t.
TEN
WREN
The week had gone by as slowly as possible, even with classes, studying and cheer practice. All I wanted was for Thursday to come around, so I could spend the evening with Eli. We’d texted all week, but had been too busy to hang out. I missed him, damn it.
As Thursday came, my nerves were on edge. I’d showered, manscaped and now stood in my bedroom, trying on shirts, deciding they were too casual or too fancy and tossing them on my bed.
“What the hell? Don’t you have to leave like, right now?” Grace stood in my doorway with a canned soda water in her hand.
“Yes, but I don’t know what to wear.” With a scoff, I peeked at the shirts strewn across my bed. At least I’d settled on some comfortable shorts, the kind that weren’t quite sweats, but not board shorts either.
“How long do you think you’ll keep your clothes on once you’re inside his house?” Her lips curled into a smirk.
“Shut up.” Rubbing my eyes, I freed a sharp laugh. But it was true. Did it really matter? “I don’t want to appear too casual, but I don’t want to look dressed up either.”
“What do you think he’ll wear?” She sauntered into my room and hunted through my shirts on the bed.
“Knowing him? A team shirt and exercise shorts.” I slumped my shoulders. This was stupid. He wouldn’t dress up.
“Here.” She tossed me a slender t-shirt with an understated green and orange tie-dye pattern. “Put this on and go to your date. You look great in this shirt. It fits you just right.”
“Okay, thanks.” Fuck it. I slipped the shirt on and left the room.
“I hope you didn’t nick your balls too badly in the shower.” She giggled.
