"Just a little shimmer, maybe some liner? You've got gorgeous bone structure." Max is already digging through what looks like a professional makeup kit. "Trust me?"
I look at Max, really look at him. The subtle gold on his cheekbones catches the light, and the way his eyes pop with just a hint of color. He looks... pretty. Good pretty. The kind of pretty that makes you want to stare.
"Sure," I hear myself say.Holy shit. Am I really doing this?My brothers would have heart attacks. Dad would...
Actually, fuck what Dad would think.
"Sit!" Max pats the couch. "I'll go easy on you, promise."
Doc drifts closer as Max starts dabbing something on my cheekbones. His fingers are gentle, professional. I try not to think about how this is the first time a guy's touched my face like this.
"Close your eyes," Max instructs softly.
I do, feeling a soft brush sweep across my lids. It tickles.
"You're being very still," Max observes. "Most first-timers fidget."
"I'm terrified if I move, you'll poke my eye out."
"Valid fear." He laughs. "Okay, just a tiny bit of liner to make those pretty browns pop and... done! Subtle but effective."
I open my eyes to find Sebastian staring at me, mouth slightly open.
"What? Do I look stupid?"
"No!" He says it too fast, too loud. "No, you look... It's good. You look good."
Leo coughs something that sounds suspiciously like "thirsty."
"Uber's here!" Elliot saves us all from whatever's happening. "Everyone, grab your IDs and let's go!"
We pile into the van, me folded in the back between Sebastian and JP. My bare thigh presses against Sebastian's jeans, and I swear I can feel him tense.
"Okay, baby gay orientation time!" Leo twists around from the front seat. "Rule one: Don't leave with anyone without telling the group."
I laugh. "Not planning on leaving with anyone else."
Doc's breath catches. Score.
"Rule two," Luca continues seriously, "Never leave your drink unattended. Ever."
"Really?" I look around the van, and the guys all have grave faces. It's… disconcerting to say the least.
The mood shifts. "It's fucking horrible that you have to be that careful," I say.
"Welcome to the community," JP says dryly.
Max quietly pulls fabric from his pocket… a scrunchie? He demonstrates how it opens into a drink cover. "These help."
"That's actually genius." I take it, examining the hidden elastic. These guys have to think about shit I've never even considered.
"Better to be smart than sorry," Luca says, adjusting his glasses.
The van feels too serious suddenly. "Well, good thing I'm in the right car if we're looking for smart," I joke. "Combined IQ of what, a thousand?"
It works. Everyone relaxes, Doc's shoulder bumping mine as he laughs.
"So why do you guys go to clubs but not date?" I ask as we merge onto the highway. "Like, you're all hot, you're smart, you're funny..."
