Ezra’s foot messed with the boot a bit more, and Jake thought if there was an LHU Men’s Choir award for The Saddest Tenor, Ezra would win that. Jake really didn’t want Ezra to be sad. Then Jake thought Ezra could win The Prettiest Eyes award too. Well. Notprettiestfor a guy. Something else. Gorgeous, maybe. And he could also get The Best Smile award for this dimpled smile that Jake wished he do more. So, it would be Jake winning The Best Looking award, Sean winning The Weirdest Ears award, and Ezra winning The Most Gorgeous Eyes award. That sounded about right. But it wasn’t like Jake had really thought about it all that much or anything.
Except right now, while hewasthinking about it, Ezra looked up at him and Jake felt his face flame up hot, as if Ezra heard his thoughts and knew what Jake thought about his eyes.
Wait.Didhe really think Ezra’s eyes weregorgeous?
Jake couldn’t focus on that right now, because right now Ezra’s gorgeous eyes were looking at him through those red-framed glasses with confusion.
“What is it?” Ezra asked.
“Uh, you said you got to thinking. What were you thinking about?”
Ezra shrugged a shoulder and sighed. “Just that this isn’t really fair to you. You shouldn’t have to, like, babysit me at a party where you could be having fun.”
Jake’s brows pinched together. “I don’t see it that way. I told you that I’d help you. And I just want to make sure you’re okay while you practice talking to people.”
Ezra’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t practice talking to people like this.”
“Like what?”
Ezra motioned a hand down his body. “Like this.”
“You look fine.”
“No, I don’t. I look like a loser.” Jake was going to object, but Ezra kept talking. “And I don’t think this is my thing anyway. Frat parties or whatever. I don’t think I’d go to one of these even if I looked like you.”
Jake felt the tingle of flattery over his skin. He mirrored Ezra’s lean on the door frame and thought for a few moments. “Honestly, I’m not sure if this is my scene anymore either.”
Ezra tilted his head, studying him.
“I mean, I partied a lot my freshman year. Last year too. Hell, even earlier this semester.” He shook his head. “That’s probably why I’m failing Stats. Too much partying.” He paused. “But there’s also my job at the country club, lacrosse, and the choir, of course. I guess I’m just doing too much.”
“What’s your job at the country club?” Ezra asked.
Jake snorted. “Driving around fat, old assholes in golf carts, picking up golf balls. Lame stuff like that.”
Ezra laughed a little. “Doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Nah, I guess not.” Then, without thinking, he said, “My dad doesn’t like that I’m in a men’s choir.”
Ezra looked at him curiously. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I kind of made a deal with him. I’d play a sport while I was in college along with the choir. That’s what he really wanted me to do. Be like a football star or something. Not a Choir Boy.”
Ezra was quiet for a moment or two, before he said, “My dad likes coming to all the choir concerts, but I’d feel pretty bad if he wasn’t supportive.” He paused. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
“It’s okay,” Jake replied, even though it wasn’t. He noticed Ezra brush some of his hair away from his face so that Jake could see his whole face, and it made an odd feeling flash in his stomach so quick that he couldn’t be sure if it happened at all. They were close enough in this closet to where Jake could reach out and take Ezra’s hand. Jake’s hand twitched in his pocket at the thought. He could imagine doing it. Just reaching out to hold Ezra’s hand… and then what?
Why would he even do that at all?
Ezra was looking at him. It seemed like Ezra wanted to say something.
Just then there was a pound, pound on the door, making them both jump.
“Open up, dude,” someone drunkenly muttered on the other side. “I gotta take a piss.”
Jake exchanged a couple of looks with Ezra before he yelled back, “Sorry, man. You’re outta luck. This is the elevator.” He winked at Ezra, and Ezra laughed softly.
“Oh, snap,” the guy called back. “My bad!” His unsteady footsteps clomped away and faded into the rest of the noise.
