Colton rushed to the elevator without looking back. He knew Dean was sitting there confused, wondering if the foot rub had freaked him out, or if the flirting had pushed it too far. Colton loved their flirting, their banter, but it wasn’t something he could focus on right now.
He stepped off the elevator into the parking garage, plopped in his car, and dropped his head onto the steering wheel. He hated that he left so abruptly. It was rude, especially after Dean was kind enough to rub his feet, but he couldn’t look at Dean without thinking about that damn date. Hell, even thinking about it while sitting there, he felt himself becoming angry again.
Why am I upset about this? Who cares if Dean has a date?he thought.Am I jealous? I can’t be jealous!
Colton shook his head as he started the car.I can’t think about this shit right now.
He drove home doing his best to focus on his upcoming game.
On Friday night, Colton went out to his balcony with a beer in hand. He couldn't get the thought of Dean, on his date with the bartender, out of his head.
Were they finished with dinner? Were they at the loft? Was the bartender fucking Dean right now? Was Dean enjoying it? Of course he was!
Colton allowed his mind to create vivid pictures of the bartender blowing him or fucking him hard, with Dean screaming in ecstasy.
He sipped his beer as a tear rolled down his cheek, his stomach in knots.
Colton was conflicted and confused. He couldn’t understand these feelings.
He didn’t want to fuck Dean, did he? He didn’t think so. But he couldn’t stomach the thought of anyone else fucking Dean. What the hell was going on with him?
Colton knew he wouldn’t answer, but he grabbed his phone…
Colton: Hey! Hope you’re having a good night. Can we talk soon?
Less than 5 minutes later…
Dean: Hey! Sure! Come by tomorrow?
Colton’s smile stretched across his face. Maybe the date didn’t go well? He shook away the thought. He didn’t want dates to go badly for Dean. He wanted Dean to be happy. But there was no denying that he felt a whole lot better knowing that Dean wasn’t fucking some random stranger right then. He pocketed his phone and sank into his sofa with a contented sigh.
The next day, Colton swung by the loft after practice. Dean welcomed him as always and didn’t seem to be acting any differently after Colton’s little walkout the other night as they walked up to the roof.
“Grab a chair and I’ll get us some beers.” Dean pointed to the chairs by the pool and Colton plopped into a chaise lounge, taking his beer from Dean as he joined him.
He settled his nerves with a deep breath. He needed to say what he was going to say, or he never would.
“Look, Dean, I'm sorry for the way I behaved last week when you told me about your date.”
Dean started to reply, but Colton cut him off, lifting his hand. “Please. Let me finish.”
Dean nodded, sipping his beer instead.
“I spent the last few days trying to figure out why the fuck it bothered me so much. I realized…I was jealous. Not because you were going on a date, but because you were spending time with someone other than me.”
Dean blushed with a timid smile. “You were jealous? I’m actually a little relieved. I thought my rubbing your feet freaked you out.”
Colton let out a light chuckle. “No! I loved you rubbing my feet. You’re welcome to do that anytime you want, but I wassofucking jealous about your date! And I really couldn’t figure out why. I mean, you’re my best friend in the whole world, and I love spending time with you, but you also need to have a romantic life and maybe have other friends besides me. I realize I can’t be so selfish when it comes to you. I hope that makes sense. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” Dean rolled off his chair and pulled Colton into a tight hug. “But it makes perfect sense. We spend so much time together, and then I spring this new guy on you out of the blue. I’m sure you were shocked.”
Colton grabbed another beer from the outdoor kitchen as Dean kicked off his shoes and sat on the edge of the pool with his feet lazily dangling in the water. Colton passed Dean his beer, kicked off his own shoes, and joined him on the side of the pool.
“So, tell me. How did the date go?” he asked as he gently nudged his shoulder.
Dean sighed, shook his head, and took a big swig from his beer. “Well, it turns out you were right. He only asked me out to give me his demo. He wanted me to take it to the producers at my label. He wasn’t interested in me, he was only interested in what I could do for him.”
Inside, Colton squealed in delight, but outwardly, he schooled his reaction. “Oh man, I’m so sorry. Usually, I’m happy when I’m right, but not this time.”
