Sucking in a breath to stall for time, I debate telling Laura the full story. Do I fully out myself as a guy who totally misreads social cues and takes advantage of everything he can?
Screw it. “We bumped into each other shirtless this morning, I commented that he has abs like an absolute idiot, he asked me if I wanted a feel, and then I…felt them.”
Laura barks out a chuckle and claps a hand over her mouth. “Oh my god, Callum! You’re a menace.”
“Don’t remind me. Straight guys don’t go around feeling each other’s abs.”
“You’re right. They go around feeling up each other’s dicks. You know straight men act gayer than actual queer men sometimes, right?”
I kind of suspected, based on how I’ve seen some guys around campus act, and what I’ve read online so far.
“Anyway, Ian is Ian,” Laura continues. “Best case, he thinks it’s a funny bro moment. Other best case, he…”
Hewhat? I fiddle with my fingers, hoping it compels Laura to finish her sentence.
“Uh, I shouldn’t say anything else.” She rests her chin in her hands, hiding a growing smirk.
I groan. “Okay, you can’t say that and leave me hanging. I’m dying here.”
“Look, it isn’t my place to speculate or anything, but hedoeslike guys,” Laura says. “It’s notimpossiblefor him to like you back.”
I scoff. Yeah, right.
“Callum. If, for whatever reason, he reactsbadly, you can always live with me and Sabrina. But hewon’treact badly. Trust me on this.”
“I’ll try. It’s just hard.”
“Okay.” Laura holds up her hand and sighs. “You’re his friend, and he cares a lot about you. He isn’t the kind of guy to throw that away over something like this, because he hates it when people do the same to him.”
“Alright,” I say, still not entirely convinced. “I’ll tell him soon. And yeah, sorry for dumping all this on you.”
“All good, buddy. I don’t mind at all.” Laura is still wearing that amused half-smile, and I try not to read too much into it. “Anyway, speaking of Ian, I haven’t seen him or Nick inages. Why don’t we all do something tonight?”
“That sounds fun. What were you thinking?”
Laura already has her phone out. “Let’s invade Nick’s place since his roommate is out of town again. Here, I added you to a group chat.”
Laura Pierre
Yo Nick, the four of us are coming over later. Will bring drinks
Sabrina Foster
You tell him what’s up
Nick Russell
ok
Ian Scott
Awesome
Nick Russell
I’m still in bed though so wait an hour before coming over
But don’t wait too long bc I’m gonna get bored
