Just as I’m about to give up and walk away, he graces me with a one-sided grin.
I take the win with a nod, and when I turn to leave, it doesn’t seem as hard as it had been a minute ago.
Did I come to work today with one intention in mind? Yes, absolutely. Luke texted and said he’d be a little late—he didn’t mention why—and I’m impatiently waiting as I pace our office. Iwant to ask him for Ender’s number, but I’m not sure how to do it without him giving me the third degree and telling me to stay away from his boyfriend’s best friend. I don’t exactly have the best track record with guys, and this has the potential to fuck up any kind of cohesion within our new group of friends.
I should be working, but there’s no way that’s happening right now. So, what’s better than your best friend scolding you? Stalking Ender’s social media accounts, that’s what.
I don’t remember seeing Ender in any of Kaden’s posts when I was playing FBI for Luke. You can’t let your best friend, who hasn’t had a relationship in his entire adult life, date anyone without scouring the entire internet to find out whatever you can about the guy.
As soon as I get to Kaden’s profile, I see a couple of photos from their trip to Georgia this past weekend. The smiling blond, hugging his friends and what looks like singing in a few pics, is a stark difference to the man I met last night. I wonder if it’s the music or his friends—or maybe both—that brings this side of him out. The genuine smile on his face is sweet, almost innocent. I can’t wait to see this side of him in person—it’s already giving me the fluttering inside my core.
I scour Kaden’s followers for his friend’s account, finding one that has the blue ‘New’ flag on it with Ender’s name. Opening it, all I find are the same photos from this past weekend, posted with today’s date on them. My finger hovers over the DM button, and I’m aware I could be overthinking this. I just don’t want to come on too strong or sound like I’m obsessed with him—because that’s not what this is. He just has my attention, that’s all. I want to know more about him. What’s his story? While I’ll admit I’m a nosy motherfucker, it doesn’t hurt that he’s pretty to look at, and I wouldn’t mind getting to see more of him.
Fuck it, I’m going with my gut. I’ll suffer my friend’s wrath at a later date.
I hope it’s not too presumptuous thinking it’s okay to slide into your DMs.
I put my phone down on the desk and waited. I’m not going to sit here and stare at my phone, watching to see if dots pop up. I’m not that desperate, and I’ll only be torturing myself if he decides to ignore me.
I’ve never grabbed my phone as fast as I do when it vibrates on the desk less than a minute later.
I’m not desperate. I’m not.
Maybe a little
I like his honesty.
So not entirely, then. That’s a green light for me to continue in my book.
Still up for debate. I’m not sure I have enough information to form an opinion yet.
And exactly what information do you need for me to convince you?
When Ender doesn’t reply right away, I start to wonder if I’ve already said something wrong—even though there’s nothing offensive about what I said. A few minutes pass by, and I give up, hoping he got busy working, which is what I should be doing.
Instead of staring at my phone, I distract myself, losing track of time until Luke walks into the office almost an hour later.
“Hey, Gabe. How’s it going? Anything I need to address right away?”
“We have a couple of things to talk about, but nothing pressing. You sound like you’re in a good mood. What gives?”Luke has some serious pep in his step as he walks over to my desk. He plants his ass on the desk, then spends the next few minutes telling me about his night with Kaden, only stopping when my phone buzzes. His eyes shoot from my screen to my face with a raised brow. I know right away that Ender’s name is on the notification.
“Should I even ask what that’s about?” Luke crosses his arms, and I suddenly feel like a scolded child.
“Do you have to?” The tilt of his head tells me he’s not letting this go. “It’s nothing, Luke. I promise I’m not going to fuck over Kaden’s friend.”
“Gabe, you’re a perpetual bachelor…”
“And you weren’t?” I’m not about to let him forget that we were once in the same boat.
“Yeah, I was, but I didn’t fuck around with anyone on a regular basis. Gabe, you go through guys like you’re running a race.”
“So, that means I can’t be serious about wanting to get to know someone better?”
I know I get my point across when his hands drop to the desk by his sides. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. I just think you may be a little…muchfor Ender. He has a bit of a history.”
“I’m not going to ask what you mean, because it’s not my place, nor do I think you’d tell me. I don’t care, Luke. I know I’m more outgoing than he is—I can see that, but does that mean we can’t be friends?”
“Friends?” He gives me one last doubting look before turning toward his desk and dropping the conversation.
