I guess,although Ernest wasn’t sure how he was going to cope with watching Toby bend over every five minutes.He put on his best smile.“What time does the bowling place open?Do I need to drop you off at home first for a change of clothes?Then I could come back and pick you up later this evening, or…”
Ernest had another thought.“You might not want me to know where you live right now, but I can call a cab for you to protect your privacy if you like, and we could meet there later.Whatever would work for you?Just tell me.Yes, that would be the best idea.Just tell me, and we can do it.”
“You’re really nervous about this, aren’t you?”Toby had put his hand on Ernest’s bicep again.
Ernest put his hand over Toby’s.“I don’t want anything to muck this up.I’ve already made a huge fool of myself at the hospital, screaming and ranting and raving.I’ve never been thrown out of anywhere before, especially not somewhere important like a hospital.But then, I’ve been so worried, and I just wanted to know you were all right.”
He reached over gently and stroked Toby’s hair.“You were unconscious for so long.You haven’t got any headaches anymore, have you?And your wee hands—are they all healed?”
“They’re not so much wee hands,” Toby said with a chuckle.“In fact, I’m sure I could do a fair bit with the pair I’ve got.What about you and your hands?”
It was the wink that got Ernest—that cute smile, and that damn wink.Ernest groaned.“Um, yeah, so as I said, what time tonight should I pick you up, or is this place open this afternoon?Anytime is good for me.”
Chapter Thirteen
Toby
Taking Ernest at his word, and with his help, they had booked an afternoon session at the bowling alley.The place had a café and bar attached to it, so they could have something to eat after.In Toby’s mind, that was like two dates in one and fulfilled the criteria for getting naked.
There’s nothing stopping you now.
Date first!
Not that he hadn’t already done the naked thing in front of his mate.Toby hadn’t failed to notice how much Ernest seemed to enjoy looking at him.Which didn’t help with how much Toby’s mind kept jumping to stripping again and bouncing all over that big body encased in clothes that left very little to Toby’s overactive imagination on size difference.
“Is this the right place?”Ernest’s question brought Toby from his wayward thoughts to see they had pulled up out front of their building.
“It is.There’s a place around back where Hector parks his car.There’ll be room there for you.”He smiled sweetly at Ernest.
Ernest's obvious nerves helped Toby calm down.He was so sweet andbig.The Fates had been very generous to Toby, and although he’d felt a little concerned at first at Ernest’s confession of being with Pierre, who was much prettier than Toby, the adoring way he stared at Toby soon blocked that from his mind.That and the scent of his arousal, it was as strong as Toby’s.He'd given up thinking of ways to disguise it when really he wanted everyone to know that Ernest was his.
“Would you like to meet my friends?”
Ernest finished parking before he answered.“Oh… yes… I should have introduced you to Rick, he’s my only real friend.”
Toby pushed up the too-long sleeve and patted his bicep—because Ernest beamed at him when he did that—giving him another smile.“Now you’ll have Morty, Niall, and Hector, oh, and Lionel, he’s best friends with Hector and of course Lionel’s mate Brad.They met too at a Bucket List Buddies event.Isn’t that cool?”Toby realized he was rambling when Ernest looked a little lost at all the names he’d thrown at him.“It’s alright, I’ll introduce everyone to you.”Another pat, and Toby got out of the car, his bare feet cold on the concrete as he held up the pant legs to stop them dragging on the ground waiting for Ernest to follow.
“The smells coming from inside are delightful.”
Toby held out his free hand, and Ernest took it, fingers entwining, giving his heart a little shot of adrenaline at how pleased his mate looked.“Morty is a genius.I work in the café, and Niall deals with the financial stuff and promotion, social media and such, to let people know about us.Though he helps me, too.He’s manning the café while I’m with you.”While chatting, they walked down the alleyway and slipped in the back door.
The clatter of something dropping came with a squeak.“Oh…Toby, you startled me,” Morty giggled, bending to pick up the plastic containers.“How did it go?Did you find your mate?”When he stood upright, he then caught sight of Ernest.
“I did.Ernest, this is Morty, one of my best friends.Morty, say hi to Ernest.”
“Why aren’t you a big boy,” said Morty, blushing, his gaze traveling up Ernest.
“Erm.Hello Morty.”Ernest held out his hand, then awkwardly patted Morty’s shoulder when he noticed his hands were full.
“I’m so happy Toby found you, these events that Bucket List Buddies are running, they’re like mate magnets!I met mine at the first one, although more stepped on would be more accurate.Though you didn’t really meet at the event, more because of it, I suppose.But still you met because of it.”
He grinned cheekily at Toby, then he seemed to notice the clothes, eyes widening.“Wow… erm, that’s a new look for you.Did you go to an op shop or something?”
“When I shifted, I needed some clothes.We didn’t think about that in my bird’s grand scheme to find our mate this morning.”
Ernest stroked the hand Toby was using to hold up baggy trousers, patting it reassuringly.
“Morty.Morty,” Hector called from above over the sounds of Kaya crying.“Kaya needs you.”
