Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
His brows pulled together. “Who are Seth and Jake?”
“Oh, Seth is Jesse’s ex-roommate. He plays piano at the Underground sometimes. Jake is his boyfriend, and we’re the two single friends they feel sorry for.”
“Um…I’m so lost.”
“I know. Me too. All that matters is they really want to hang out with us, and we don’t want to let them down, so we gotta go.” When he didn’t answer right away, I added, “I mean, you don’t have to.”
“No, no, that’s fine. I’m still trying to catch up with what’s going on here, but…it would be cool. To hang out with your friends.”
“That’s my boy!” I smiled. “Let’s go shower!”
Clark froze, like legit mid-step, and I wasn’t even sure he was breathing. I laughed. “I know we had that whole naked talk the other day, but it’s not a good idea. We’re taking separate showers, silly boy.”
He snapped out of it, his cheeks turning my new favorite shade of pink. “I knew that’s what you meant.”
“Sure you did, big guy.” I patted his back.
“Shut up.”
“Make me.”
“I’m not talking to you right now.”
We went to separate bathrooms, showered, and got ready. I took a little longer than him, adding eyeliner, mascara, and a light line to my lips. When I came out, Clark looked adorkable in a pair of beige shorts and a pink polo. “Look, my lips match your shirt.” I made an exaggerated kissy-face, and he rolled his eyes but smiled. His eyes scanned me. I was wearing a crop top and a pair of tight jeans.
“Should I change?” he asked.
“What? No. You look great.” I took his hand and tugged him toward the door. Clark came easily. He locked up, and we said goodbye to Eddie downstairs.
“I can drive,” he offered, and I was game. My car was a piece of shit, and his wasn’t.
I gave him the address, and it took us about twenty minutes to get to Seth and Jake’s place. They lived in a homey neighborhood, in a two-story house that looked like there would be little kids running around the yard one day.
When we got out, Clark straightened his clothes, and I could tell he was nervous. My poor, adorable, dorky Clark. “Hey,” I said, and his eyes snapped to mine. “You look great. No one in here will care, though. They’re all super chill and totally different kinds of people.”
“Sorry. I know I get…weird.”
My heart softened. I wished I had something to put on the damn thing to harden it to him. “There’s nothing to apologize for.”
I took his hand again, hoping that would help, and Clark didn’t argue. We went to the door and knocked, Seth opening it a few seconds later. I noticed he was wearing makeup too, and he had on eye shadow as well. His eyes darted to our hands, but he didn’t say a word. He was good like that. Unfortunately, Clark pulled away, which made me feel slightly off-balance.
“Seth, this is my friend Clark—Clark, Seth.”
“Hi! It’s great to meet you.” Seth held out his hand for Clark, they shook, and then Seth led us into their home.
Jesse and Dane were already there, talking to Jake, who introduced himself first. “Hey, man. How’s it going? I’m Jake.”
“Nice to meet you,” Clark replied.
“Hi! Good to see you again.” Jesse reached out and hugged him. Clark tensed up a little, as if he hadn’t expected it, but then returned the embrace.
“He’s touchy-feely,” Dane said.
“It’s fine,” Clark replied.
They had a long table set against the wall, with all sorts of finger foods on it—wings, sliders, veggie tray, fruit tray, chips, and dips. The dining-room table was stacked with cards and board games.
“Anyone want something to drink?” Jake asked. “Beer, wine, water, tea?”
I went with iced tea, and Clark did too. Jake had a beer, Jesse and Seth wine, and Dane stuck with water.
We made plates and chatted for a while, sitting around the table. They were all friendly and engaging with Clark, asking what he did and how we knew each other. I sat back and simply watched. It was cool to see him interact with my friends, to spend time with him this way, now that we were friends in a different way than we had been as kids, because our lives were actually entwining.
When we finished eating, Jesse said, “So…we playing or what? I’d sort of like to kick Skylar’s ass in front of his friend.”
Dane rolled his eyes.
Seth and Jake chuckled.
Clark looked back and forth between Jesse and me.
I huffed. “You wish, pretty boy.”
“Well, yes, I am pretty, but that’s beside the point.”
I flipped him off.
“They’re pretty competitive with each other,” Dane said.
“They had a contest on who could do splits better,” Seth added.
“Who won?” asked Clark.
I said, “Me, of course. Duh. I can’t believe you doubt me.”
“Because he cheated! He was in gymnastics his whole life.”