We continue chatting even after we finish our food, laughing at old jokes and telling stories.
“Remember,” Kas says, holding his side as he tries to keep from laughing, “when Vic told you that Janet was waiting outside for you, and when you went onto your porch, we sprayed you with those water guns?”
I give him a dry look. “Yeah, dumbass. I had just dyed my hair black, and it ran all down my neck and shoulders.” Kas and Mitch crack up laughing, and after a few seconds, I join in. “I looked like a fucking fool.”
“And Janet didn’t let you forget it,” Mitch tacks on.
I shrug, smiling like a fool. “Yeah, but I still dated her, so who won?”
“You did, oh wise one,” he says, bowing to me.
“Thank you, thank you,” I say, mock-bowing in return.
Kas sighs, smiling at me and Mitch. “If we never get back together, I want you both to know that it’s been an honor to rock out with you two. We had a good run, huh?”
I nod. “Yeah, we did. It could have been longer if I wasn’t on my bullshit.”
“Don’t blame yourself. We knew what was going on, and we didn’t step in. We owe you an apology for that,” Kas says, a frown marring his face. “We didn’t know how bad it was.”
“No one did. I didn’t show you. And it wasn’t your responsibility to make me stop using. I’m an adult. I should have done it on my own.”
Mitch leans forward. “How are you handling everything?”
I blow out a long breath. “It’s hard. Fuck, is it hard.” I push my hands through my short hair. I’m still not used to it, even weeks later. I look down at my hands. “Some days are better than others. It’s made worse because I’m out ofrehab, where I can go anywhere and do what I want. Only my willpower is keeping me from getting drunk. But,” I look up at them, seeing their sad expressions, “I think I’m doing okay.”
“That’s good, man. We’re happy for you.”
“Thanks. Also…” I pause for a few beats, wondering if I should tell them everything, but fuck it. They’re my best friends. “I want a chance to be worthy of my friend. My high school friend. Jaxon. Well, to be more than his friend, really.” I rub the back of my neck in embarrassment.
Their expressions change from sadness to surprise.
I wait for the shoe to drop, my heart thumping as I hold my breath for their response.
Mitch’s mouth tips up in a half-smile. “You had friends before us?” He puts a hand to his chest. “Ryder, you wound me.”
A relieved breath leaves me. We’ve never talked about my bisexuality, as I’ve never even kissed another man besides Jaxon. I never felt the need to bring it up because I never acted on it.
“Wesley…please call me Wesley. Ryder was the old me, my old life. I want to move forward, you know?”
They both shrug.
“Wesley it is,” Kas says.
Before we can say more, a high-pitched scream comes from a few feet away. We look up at the girl that’s staring at us, jumping up and down.
“Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” she chants over and over again.
“Hey, darlin’,” Mitch says with a friendly wave.
“OH MY GOD!”
After that, we’re swarmed, people passing us things to sign and asking for photos with us. We take it in stride,signing and posing. Thankfully, no one but Mitch and Kas touch me while we pose for pictures. I might have bolted if someone did.
After close to an hour, the crowd shows no sign of thinning. The manager finally has enough and gets some of his people to escort us out to a cab he called for us so we can make a getaway.
When we climb into the back, we all fall into what can only be described as giggles. We’re so fucking tickled that we don’t stop laughing until we’re at the Plymouth.
We stumble out of the car and walk towards the hotel, errant chuckles leaving our throats.
