They ordered, enjoying the appetizer that arrived at the table. It was hard not to, since it was hot cheese, baked and laced with hot honey and thyme.
“So what else is new?” Alex said, after he finished going over some promotional opportunities. All of that probably could’ve been an email, but it was good—unexpectedly good, actually—to sit here with him and talk about them in person.
And of course, Dawson hadneededto see his face when he told his side of the story. They’d never have been able to build that trust back if he hadn’t.
“Well,” Dawson said, hesitating. “I guess I’m . . .made a new friend?” He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.
“A new friendfriend?” Alex sounded surprised, but pleased. “And here I remember you declaring that you were never dating again, after Brynn.”
“We’re not dating. Um. Not officially. Not like that.” But the more Dawson was looking at it, they kindawere. Just without saying the words.
“Like what, then?” Alex set his elbows on the table, looking fascinated.
Dawson was regretting bringing this up. The thought of officially dating, of beingserious, still made him feel a little sick to his stomach. The thought of feeling something that could go sour, twisting uncomfortably, deep down.
Never mind how painful it would be if Aidan wasrightabout something.
But being afraid of it didn’t mean he wasn’t already feeling it.
“Like, right now, it’s just . . .” Dawson trailed off.Sleeping together every night. Hanging out every day after practice. He’s the first person I want to call when something goes south, but I don’t even have to pick up my phone because he’s already right there.
When he thought it, it was hardnotto see that Aidan might be right.
You cannot be this dense.
It was humiliating, but maybe hecouldbe that dense.
“It’s just what?” Alex prompted. “I’ve never known you to be cagey about someone you’re interested in before. When you first went out with Brynn, after like three or four dates, you announced to me that you were going to marry her.” Alex made a face. “Come to think of it, maybe that’s a good reason to be cagey about it.”
Dawson had forgotten about that too. Or maybeforgottenwasn’t the best term. Pushed it entirely from his head like he could actually pretend he’d never felt that sure, that happy, was probably more accurate.
“So, you’re feeling a little burned,” Alex continued. “But you like this . . .person?”
“It’s a guy,” Dawson said. “But that shouldn’t be a surprise.”
“I knew you were into both. If you’re worried it’s going to be a problem, it won’t.”
“I wasn’t. I was more worried about . . .” Dawson waved around his head, rolling his eyes. “My whole bullshit.”
“Fair,” Alex agreed. “So, who is he? You gonna tell me about him?”
Dawson probably should tell him exactly who it was, but he still hesitated. Pushed the last bit of melted cheese onto a cracker and shoved it in his mouth.
“Oh, you don’t want to tell me,” Alex said, both comprehension and a wide grin breaking across his face. “I bet it’s good. Whoever it is, it’s gonna make me want to tear my hair out, isn’t it?”
“Uh,” Dawson hesitated. More because Alex was looking increasingly delighted.
“God, please tell me it’s not Flynn.”
“What?” Dawson yelped. He hadnotexpected Alex to say that, especially because Alex had especially shitty gaydar, and publicly, Aidan was straight as an arrow.
“Just saying. I remember back in your senior year of college, when we first started talking about me repping you, you followed him around like a puppy.”
“Aidan’s afriend.”
“So?”
“And,” Dawson added, muttering, “if you’d ever seen him puke in a bush, it would absolutely destroy any attraction you felt—if you’d ever felt any.”
