“I could go for food,” said Allen. “It’s not a super fancy place, is it? I’m not very dressed up.”
Jesus. Allen could be wearing a paper bag, and Jake would still think he was cute.
He started to shrug, but froze when Allen narrowed his eyes.
“I…” Jake bit his lip, unsure of how to phrase his answer without sounding like a privileged ass. “I’ve never paid attention to how fancy it is. I always eat in their private rooms, and I booked us a reservation, so we could talk and eat without being disturbed.”
Allen’s smile fell. “Oh god. You’re not…in the closet, are you?”
Jake…didn’t know what that meant.
“I’m standing beside you in an open lobby, so no.”
Allen blinked rapidly, like he’d just gotten something in his eyes. “No—I’m not being literal. I’m asking you if you’re not openly gay, because I’m too old to be sneaking around.”
Sneaking around? That sounded like a very backward way of thinking.
They weren’t alone in the lobby; there were plenty of people meandering out the doors to their cars, so Jake decided to prove his point by taking Allen’s hand and holding it tightly.
“Does this answer your question?” Jake asked, smirking.
A lovely blush appeared on Allen’s cheeks, and he quickly looked away. Jake was pleased to note that he didn’t ask for his hand back.
They left the arena, holding hands until they arrived at Jake’s car, only letting go when he had to throw his bag in the trunk so Allen wouldn’t complain about the smell.
“Just so you know,” Allen said the second Jake was sitting and turning the engine over. “I’m not calling this a date. You don’t have to treat me like I’m your boyfriend.”
Jake crinkled his nose and put the car in drive. “Impossible. Iwantyou to be my boyfriend.”
Allen began sputtering, so Jake gave him a minute to relax before he restarted the conversation.
“Are you okay with me pursuing you?” Jake asked. “I don’t want to push if it makes you uncomfortable.”
At this rate, he was going to have to change his nickname because he was talkinga lotlately.
Jake knew he was a quiet person, and previous relationships had ended because he sucked at communicating, but that’s why he was trying so hard with Allen.
Allen, who was refusing to look at him, and whose ears remained a bright red whenever Jake glanced at him.
They were almost to their destination when Allen finally answered him, and Jake hadn’t known that ten minutes could feel so long.
“You can try.”
They stopped at a red light, giving Jake a few seconds to observe him. Allen was doing his best impression of a possum that was playing dead, but when he realized he was being watched, he straightened and scowled.
“You can give it your best shot, but just so you know, I’m un-wooable.”
Allen had regained enough confidence to cross his arms and give Jake a look that said he wasn’t willing to back down.
“Also, flashing your money at me won’t work. Been there, done that. So be original, Mousey.”
Heat surged to Jake’s cheeks as the light turned green, giving him an excuse to look away. “I don’t need money. You would be mine even if I were surviving off pennies.”
Allen’s scoff was loud, and Jake was beginning to see some of the hockey attitude bleed through his guarded exterior.
“Sure, buddy,” said Allen, waving his hand dismissively. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Jake’s smile lingered for the rest of the drive through the city. He had been briefly worried that Allen would reject him and insist they stay friends, but he was relieved to know that there was a mutual interest between them.
