“A sister,” is all I say. Mentioning her always brings a burn to my tightening throat. So, I leave it and move on. “You guys are pretty good. How long have you been playing?”
“We’ve played together for a couple years now.” He takes a swig of his beer and continues to talk about how the band got started and some of the gigs they have played.
Talking with him is easy and we casually go back and forth, getting to know each other. I’ve never really noticed his green eyes until now, not that I’ve ever had the chance to. We’ve had some classes together for the past three years, but our paths never crossed enough to allow for more than just brief interactions, but he’s sexy as hell.
After a while, we realize it’s getting late, so Mark grabs his guitar as we head out into the parking lot to leave. He walks over to his white Range Rover that is parked a few spaces away from my SUV. Following him, he slides his guitar into the back seat and turns to face me when I ask, “So, you got any plans this weekend?”
Shutting the door and leaning against his car, he says, “No, not really.”
“You wanna get a bite to eat tomorrow?”
“Yeah, that sounds good. Dinner?”
“Eastlake?”
I see a hint of a smirk when he says, “Sure.”
God, I want to kiss him, but for some reason I’m hesitant, so I don’t. We exchange numbers and say goodnight before I turn to my car. When I hop in and turn the key, a pang of anticipation hits me, and I wonder what’s different about this guy that is sparking this eagerness in me.
Chapter two
“So, who’s this guy you’re going out with tonight?” I ask Candace as she flops down on the couch next to me.
“Kaleb. He used to work at the coffee shop a while ago. We ran into each other the other day.”
“Hmm.”
She tilts her head at me and asks, “What?”
Candace is a serial dater. One date then she is done. She’s always been closed off with guys and never really cares enough to get to know them.
“I don’t know why you even waste your time.” I try and soften my remark by reaching my arm around her and bringing her closer to me.
“Honestly . . . I don’t know either.”
Kissing the top of her head, I joke, “I think you just like free dinners.”
We both laugh while we shift to lie down on the couch. I love this girl; I always have. I can share things with her that I never could with anyone else. She never judges.
Our physical relationship has always been a part of who we are together. We often sleep in the same bed, and I honestly think I give her something she has always lacked in her life—affection. I’ve never met her parents, but from what she has told me, they are pretentious ass**les and have always treated her like shit. Although she dates a lot, I know I’m the only man in her life that she allows this affection from.
“What do you have going on tonight?” she mumbles with her head on my chest.
“I’ve got a date myself.”
“Really? With who?”
“This guy named Mark. We’ve had a few classes together. He plays guitar in the band that Kimber and I went to go see last night.”
“That’s hot,” she says with a giggle.
“I know.”
Just like Candace, I’m a serial dater too. Hookups are kinda my thing. I’ve never even brought a guy around Candace. It’s one thing for her to know I’m g*y, but I feel weird having her see me that way. I know this is who I am, but in a way, I still don’t think I’ve completely accepted it.
“So what are you guys doing?”
“Just grabbing a bite at Eastlake,” I say.
Shifting herself tightly against me, she laughs a little when she says, “So, tell me how hot he is.”
“Hot enough that you’d take a second date with him if he were straight.” I turn into her before saying, “Now shut up, and let’s take a quick nap before you have to go.”
“Fine,” she whines, and I lean down to give her a quick kiss on the head.
Hopping out of the shower, I feel that pang of excitement again. I sling my towel around my waist and head into the kitchen to get a beer to try and settle what’s going on inside of me.
I throw a little gel into my hair and grab a pair of jeans and an old UW t-shirt. I down the rest of my beer, take my keys, and head out towards the elevator. I shoot Candace a quick text.
Call me when you get home tonight.
It doesn’t take her long to reply.
Okay. Have fun. I love you.
Love you too.
On the drive to the restaurant, I can’t get the images of Mark last night out of my head. Normally, I would have gone in for a kiss, but something about him made me nervous. I try not to think about it too much when I walk in and spot Mark already sitting at a table. I make my way over and take a seat.
“Hey. Been here long?” I say.
“Nah, just got here. I ordered a couple beers.”
“Thanks.” God, he looks good in an old, worn Mudhoney shirt that fits snug across his chest.
“So, what did you do today?”
“Not much, man.” The waiter comes by and drops off our beers as I continue, “Just hung out with one of my friends. That’s all. You?”
“About the same. Hit the gym and hung out.”
“What gym do you go to?”
“I’m doing Crossfit at The Rock right now,” he says before taking a swig of his beer.