Lulu tensed, his gaze zeroing in on Xavi’s fingers as he poured just the perfect amount of milk into Lulu’s cup. “Oh, you don’t have to come. I mean…”
“I’m coming.” The words rushed from Xavi’s lips. “Of course, I’m coming,” he added, a tad softer.
“Okay,” Lulu whispered, accepting the coffee from Xavi, his heart doing frenzied little somersaults in his chest. Xavi nodded, leaning against the counter, blowing on his steaming cup.
“So, what are you thinking?”
“Huh?”
Xavi nodded at the paper Lulu had left on the kitchen counter. “About the speech?”
“Oh, right.” Lulu smirked, feeling a devilish smile forming on his face.
Xavi read his expression because a knowing “Uh-oh” spilled from his lips, followed by a low rumbling laughter.
“We’re gonna roast our boy’s ass?” he raised a brow at Lulu, turning Lulu’s insides into the gooiest goo to ever goo.
“Of course we are!” Lulu laughed. “It’s our duty as best men.”
“I agree,” Xavi hummed. Picking up the paper, he winked, “Let’s roast the fuck outta our boy.”
“Sí, papi,” Lulu slid from the counter, saluting Xavi, who groaned in return.
“Brat,” Xavi shook his head.
“Brute,” Lulu countered, bumping his hip against Xavi, who nearly spilled his coffee.
“Cut it out.” Xavi tilted his chin in warning.
“Make me,” Lulu quipped, his chest soaring with relief and happiness. Yeah, they were okay. Being honest was something fierce all right, Lulu had to giveTeam Cheeriothat. Honesty for the fucking win. Fuck, he couldn’t wait for that road trip now. Five days all alone with Xavi and a whole lot of truths he couldn’t wait to get off his chest.
Chapter Nine
Xavi
“I’m so, so sorry,amigos,” Tallulah panted as she came running toward them in the parking lot, one of her poodles clutched against her chest. Her turquoise stilettos were mile high, and Xavi had always wondered about that. The allure of forcing your feet into something that looked more like a fancy medieval torture device than a pair of actual shoes. That’s why Xavi always wore boots. They were comfy and went with all kinds of outfits. He’d opted for his motorcycle boots today, along with his leather jacket and a pair of worn jeans. Road trips were all about comfort. Even Lulu, in his soft-looking purple down jacket over a gray hoodie, baggy jeans, and purple ankle boots, had gotten the message.
“You’re good,amiga,” Lulu smiled, bouncing on his feet as he glanced excitedly over Tallulah’s shoulder. “Where’s the van?”
Tallulah came to a stop in front of them, her big, blonde Dolly Parton wig slightly askew, her huge bosom heaving, as she pressed a hand to her side.
“Fuck, I ain’t cut out for running unless there’s a shoe sale down at Garcia’s.”Garcia’swas a small family-owned store downtown that sold imported Italian shoes to die for. Xavi had a pair of sleek brown leather boots that felt like walking on air or cotton candy when you put them on and he’d gifted Lulu a pair of purple suede loafers last Christmas, causing Lulu to almost blow out Xavi’s eardrum when he’d unpacked the gift.
“Where. Is. The. Van?” Lulu repeated slowly, his impatient gaze searching the parking lot.
“One second.” Tallulah held up a neatly manicured finger, while the poodle growled, first at Lulu, then at Xavi. Fuck, poodles were one ugly dog breed, especially when they were dyed purple like this one was. Xavi loved dogs,realdogs, and he wanted his own one day when he was able to move out into the suburbs and gethimself a house with a yard. But it sure as shit wasn’t going to be a poodle. Nope, he wanted a German Shepherd just like Joe. He loved those.
“Shit, why did y’all have to leave so fucking early anyway? Georgina is gonna be pissy all day if she doesn’t get her beauty sleep.”Tallulah whispered something against the poodle’s ear, and the dog growled like it was, in fact, pissy. Or maybe the breed just looked chronically pissy.
“Lulah…” Lulu tucked at his curls, frustration vivid in his almond eyes.
“Okay, so, there’s been a slight change of plans,” Tallulah smiled carefully, cakes of make-up coating the popular drag queen’s face. “You want the good news or the slightly worse news first?” She batted her long, fake lashes.
“Just spill it, Lulah!” Lulu blurted, crossing his arms in front of his chest, tapping his boot against the pavement impatiently.
“Okay… no need to get all aggro,hombre.” Tallulah rolled her eyes, then threw Xavi a glance. “Your man ain’t satisfying you, Lulu? He looks big enough to me,ese,” she purred, twirling her finger in the air. “I’m feeling a lot of sexual frustration right here.”
“Back off,” Lulu growled, and Xavi failed to hide the snort that slipped from his nose. As far as Xavi was concerned, Tallulah was dead on with her sexual frustration radar. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d gotten laid. Sexual frustration was Xavi’s middle name by now, and he might as well just order a fucking headstone to go with it.
