Which reminded me. I had a question for Freid. Maybe an awful question, but I couldn’t stop myself from blurting it.
“Have you been with anyone since we met?” We had never talked about that stuff except in the past tense. There might have been a reason. Freid had been waiting for Penn. He seemed devout enough about it that I couldn’t see him going off with anyone, even for a one-night stand.
He chuckled. “As ridiculous as you might have thought it was, I’ve been waiting for Penn.”
“I never thought it was ridiculous.”
“And you, Ty. I didn’t consciously realize until tonight that I’ve been waiting for you, too.”
“I wanted you. I wasn’t brave enough to say it. I didn’t want to interfere with your dream.”
Freid took my hand in his and closed his warm fingers around it. “You never interfered. You were, and are, my partner throughout the whole three years.” His brows narrowed. His mouth dropped open. “You’re not asking me about other partners because you…” He gulped.
I shook my head. “No. I haven’t dated since meeting you on my failed blind date that first night. I looked forward to the weekend nights here at Animals. With you. Nothing could keep me away. I didn’t want anything or anyone else. You sustained me. Our friendship was worth more to me than anything else.”
Freid reached out with his other hand and cupped my cheek. “I’ve always known how sweet you are.” His thumb caressed the top of my cheek. “But think about it. What are the odds? Two young male alphas both celibate for three years?”
We both laughed.
“But I didn’t want anything else,” I repeated. “Just this. Even if it meant only friendship forever.”
In that moment, Freid leaned forward and kissed me lightly on the lips. It was closemouthed, too short, but the best kiss I’d ever had in my life.
When he leaned back, our eyes met. The nightclub clamor went silent. Time stopped. When I caught my breath, all I could say was, “Wow.”
“Now, we wait.” Freid’s voice came out wistful.
***
My phone went off as soon as I got home. It was a text from Freid.
Freid:Just checking to make sure you got home okay.
Ty:Yep. I’m here. Already missing you way too much.
We continued to text as I got ready for bed. Once I was under the covers in the dark, my phone still flashed. It was obvious we didn’t want to part, even to sleep.
Freid:I feel like you should be next to me right now in this bed.
Ty:Mentally, I’m right there with you.
Freid:That will have to be enough for now.
Ty:We’ve waited three years. What’s another few days?
Freid:Or a week. Or month.
Ty:Don’t freak me out! A month? Do you think it might take that long for Penn to come around? And what if he never does?
Freid:Calm down, tiger. He’ll be fine. He never said no to us. He only asked for time.
Ty:It seems funny that we’re texting. In bed.
Freid:Do you want to call me?
Ty:Do you?
Freid:I confess, this seems safer. Not from you. From myself. If I hear your voice, I’ll never calm down enough to sleep. I’ll spend the night trying to figure out a way to get to your house and in your bed before dawn.
