When I found out he was taking an extra shift at the bar to help out on Thanksgiving Day, I decided to stop by for a while. The bar is packed, everyone wanting to watch the football game here to avoid their crazy family dinners.
My family is having our supper tomorrow night because they are helping feed the homeless down at Theo’s parents’ restaurant.
I’m supposed to be there too, and my family is not happy that I’m missing it. Instead, I’m here at the bar, being a stubborn asshole and refusing to leave until I talk to Easton.
After the game last night, Easton didn’t come home. Not that I was surprised. I stayed up until four in the morning waiting, just in case. I needed to talk to him, but sleep won.
The next morning, Roland texted me to let me know that he had broken his knee, but he was okay. His leg is in a cast, and his parents came to pick him up for the holiday weekend.
I told him I was relieved to hear he is okay, and that I’d talk to him when he got back to school.
Part of me wanted to text him and get it over with right then and there. But he deserves more than a text.
I might not want to be his boyfriend, but I do want to be his friend. I won’t have a chance of that happening if I’m an asshole and let him down over a text message.
“You going to order anything?” I jolt in surprise, gaze snapping up to a very amused Cooper.
“Uncle Cooper.” I smile. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He chuckles.
“I’m sorry, what did you ask?”
“I asked if you were going to order anything to eat, or do you just want to stare at my employee like a love-sick fool?”
My brows furrow. “I was not looking at him like a love-sick fool.” I scoff.
“Mhhmm.” He grins. “Pretty sure you were watching him like I watch Blake.”
“Now I know you’re lying, because you watch Uncle Blake like you want to bend him over any available surface.”
“So you see my point.” He grins wider.
“You’ve got it all wrong. Me and Easton, we’re–”
“Enemies, hate one another, used to be friends, now you’re nothing more than roommates forced together. I’ve heard it all.” He slides in on the other side of the booth. “I also happen to see the way you both look at each other when you think the other isn’t looking. There’s a fine line between love and hate, Bennett.”
“I don’t hate him.” I sigh, pressing my back into my seat. “It’s complicated. Plus, Easton isn’t into guys. He has a girlfriend.”
Even if I can trust Cooper, I’m not going to be the one to out Easton.
“So I’ve heard.” He looks over to Easton. He’s at the bar, glaring at the both of us. Cooper turns back to me with a raised brow. “Doesn’t change the fact that he looks like he either wants to kill you, or fuck you.”
“Can you leave it alone? Please,” I beg him. “It’s not my place to say anything, okay?”
He raises his hands. “Hey, I understand. All I’m saying is that you should talk to the guy, okay? Take it from someone who has experience. You don’t know what someone is really going through unless you open up and talk. I might not know much about Easton’s personal life, but from what I do know, I think the guy could use, at the very least, a good friend. I know you, Bennett. You’re a good guy, and I think you might be just the person for the job.”
“Tell that to him,” I mutter, casting another glance at Easton.
He’s helping make drinks, occasionally aiming his glare my way. I shouldn’t find that so damn hot, but I do.
I’m starting to see that when it comes to Easton, I’m a lost cause.
I’ve been here for hours. I know, it’s fucking sad. But, it’s worth it. Everyone cleared out after the game was over. I wait until Easton is done behind the bar, and when I see him gathering the trash, I slip out of the booth and follow him to the back.
He heads to the big garbage bins.
I let the back door click behind us, and at the sound, Easton swings his gaze my way. “What the hell are you doing?” he sighs. “Haven’t you stalked me long enough?”
