Cole leans forward, that dangerous glint in his eyes getting brighter. “Nobody said we couldn’t handle it.”
“Then why not go? Prove me wrong.”
The room goes dead quiet. I can feel the tension building like it does right before a big game.
My heart thumps in my ears. I haven’t really said anything this whole time, but this feels like my cue. Not just to back up Micah, but to finally feed my own curiosity. Because this might be my shot to see what’s happening behind those black doors.
“I’ll do it,” I hear myself say. “I’ll go. I mean, it’s just a bathhouse, right? Sauna, hot tub, whatever. I can handle that.”
Four pairs of eyes turn to me.
“What the hell, Toby?” Omar says.
“Micah’s right,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “We talk shit about the place all the time, but none of us has actually been inside. What’s the harm in checking it out? I can think of worse ways to spend an evening than relaxing in a hot tub.”
“With a bunch of horny dudes,” Cole points out.
Diesel laughs. He takes his snapback off and runs his fingers through his thick blond hair. “Cole here is scared he might like it a little too much. Right, Cole?”
“Hey, if someone’s scared, it’s you, Diesel.”
“I’m not scared of shit, bro.”
“Okay,” Micah says. “So who’s actually going and who’s just talking? Let’s make it a dare. Whoever chickens out first loses. Whoever stays longest wins.”
Cole narrows his eyes. “Wins what, exactly?”
“Bragging rights?”
Cole shakes his head. “Not a chance. That’s not gonna cut it, buddy. Loser buys the winner’s drinks for a month.”
“Make it two months,” Diesel counters.
Cole grins. “Alright. Two months. All in favor?”
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Yeah.”
“Aye.”
Omar is the last to speak. “Guys, I don’t know if this is a good idea…”
“Oh, come on, Omar. Where’s your sense of adventure?” I pat his shoulder. “Just a night out with the guys.”
He sighs. “Fine. Aye. But this is fucking ridiculous, I hope you all know that. Out of all the dumbass things you guys have dragged me into, this one takes the cake. What are five straight guys gonna do at a gay bathhouse? We’ll look like complete idiots.”
Omar might be right. We will look like a bunch of clueless idiots walking into that place. Still, the thrill of stepping into uncharted territory is exactly what makes this so appealing. Not that I’m gonna admit that to the guys. I’ll act like I’m only doing this to prove a point, same as them.
Cole cracks his knuckles. “It’s settled then. When should we go?”
Micah pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “How about tonight?”
There’s a smile playing at the corners of his mouth and a gleam in his blue eyes.
I’m starting to think there’s a whole side of him we haven’t seen yet.
