Mom rambles on and on until she disappears outside, but I can’t take my eyes away from Dennis, who smirks at me knowingly, then pokes at my cheek. “See? All cute and flustered.”
Yeah, I’ll get him later.
After lunch, I was tempted to just throw Dennis in my truck and drive him somewhere secluded and fuck him senseless. Just watching him eat an egg salad sandwich and gulping down lemonade was pure torture. The way he swallowed and licked his lips exaggeratedly. He was obviously trying to rile me up. He didn’t have to worry about that, though. I’ve been sporting a chronic semi just being around him.
We’ve just arrived at the bar to meet up with Aaron, Wes, and Amanda. My jeans are entirely too tight in the crotch area. Jeez, is it always going to be like this, me being half-hard whenever he’s nearby? To top it off, he’s wearing a sage-green short-sleeved shirt, and the color looks phenomenal on him, making his eyes pop. Yeah, I’m in for a long night.
I’m excited to see Aaron, though, and finally get to know Amanda a little better. Wes, on the other hand… He’s okay, I guess, if you like the overly energetic, rowdy, tail-chasing type of guy. I remind myself that he’s been a good friend to Dennis, though, and if you’re good to my Den, then you’ve got endless credit in my book.
“We don’t have to stay long. Just a few drinks,” Dennis says. As I open his car door, he immediately grabs my hand, tangling our fingers together.
I savor the feel of his warm, soft skin against mine. This will never get old, this instinctive need to be close and touch each other. “It’s okay. I can’t be a hermit for the rest of my life.”
Dennis laughs, throwing his head back, baring his tanned, lean neck. “You’re hardly a hermit. A mouse-deer, maybe.”
I raise a brow at him. “A mouse-deer? Dude, now you’re just making shit up.”
“I’m being serious.” He bumps my shoulder, then he stops to gesticulate with his hands eagerly. “They’re tiny little deer, really elusive and shy, and they live in the rainforests in Southeast Asia. They’re super cute. Just. Like. You.” He boops my nose with a finger.
“Sometimes you scare me.”
He looks at me wide-eyed. “Why?”
“You’re just… a walking, talking encyclopedia.”
“Oh. Sorry if I ramble too much.”
“No, I don’t mean it like that,” I rush out. “It’s just really cool. That you’re so passionate about something like that. I wish I… had that.” It’s true. Aside from work, I’ve never really been passionate about anything, if you can even call that a passion.
He smiles at me, a rare vulnerability in his eyes. Then he leans up on his toes, his face hovering just in front of mine. His voice is breathy, cinnamon-y, when he speaks, “You can be passionate about me, Michael Malcolm Tanner.” Shit, now I really want to throw him in my truck. I groan as I adjust myself, pulling a knowing grin from Dennis.
“Still not my middle name,” I grunt.
He sticks out his tongue. “Could be.”Such a brat.
Although it’s only 7 o’clock, the bar is buzzing as we enter, and a good portion of the patrons are already half-wasted. The karaoke is blasting some ’80s song, a guy I recognize from high school crooning about cars and girls.
“Well, fucking finally!” Wes yells from the far end of the room, where a row of booths lines one wall. Aaron waves at me before his gaze moves to Dennis, who is headed toward the bar.
“Beer?” Dennis shouts at me, his voice getting swallowed up by the noise.
“Yeah. ABud, please.” I make my way through an ocean of people, briefly saying hi to some I recognize, exchanging a few sentences. When I finally reach the booth, Aaron slides in, making room for me, with Amanda on his other side.
“Hey, Mike,” she waves, her light brown waves falling down her shoulders, spreading over a shimmery purple top.
“Hey, Amanda. Good to see you. Thought you’d dumped his ass by now.” I wink at Aaron, and he playfully punches me.
“Hey!” Dennis huffs next to me, scowling at Aaron. “No manhandling my boyfriend. OnlyIget to handle my man.” He hands me my beer, then sits down across from me, next to Wes. Sweat starts breaking across my neck because I don’t know whether I’m ready for this, or if I’ll ever be ready. It comes so naturally for Dennis, who’s outgoing, but I’m not used to standing out in any way, especially like this, as a couple, in front of Aaron.
“Okay, still weird.” Aaron winces, taking a long sip from his beer. Although Aaron guessed it before Dennis and I could even put into words how we felt about each other, he’ll probably still need some time to get used to us officially dating.
Wes clinks his glass against Dennis’. “Weird, perhaps, but at least the double pining is over now that these two got their heads out of their asses.”
Aaron shoots beer from his nose from his snort while Dennis’ cheeks grow crimson under the translucent lights overhead. He stares at me, looking just as mortified as I’m feeling. Wes is right, though. It might have taken some time and a whole lot of stolen looks and sleepless nights, but now we’re finally on the same page.
I wink at Wes. “Now there’s a first. Never thought I’d agree with Wes on anything.” I smile, reaching for Dennis’ hand across the table, just squeezing it briefly. He relaxes, still blushing adorably, then sits back in his seat.
“I think it’s sweet,” Amanda says, leaning up against Aaron’s side. “You guys look good together.”
