“Oh, shit. What’s wrong?” he asks with a smirk, like he knows whatever this is, is about to be juicy.
“How did you…” I groan, my face growing hot. This is a lot harder to bring up than I thought it would be, a lump forming in my throat. Swallowing thickly, I continue. “How’d you know you were into guys?”
If Shooter is surprised by my question, he doesn’t let it show. “I’ve always known, I think,” he replies, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to guys.”
I nod. “Oh, right. That makes sense.”
“It’s not like that for everybody, though,” he goes on, raising a brow. “Why do you ask?”
I have a feeling he knows exactly why I’m asking, but I appreciate him playing dumb.
“Remember Xander?”
Shooter’s lips tip up as he nods. “How could I forget your little boy next door?”
“Stop calling him that,” I grumble.
“That won’t be happening.” He chuckles. “But yes, I remember him.”
Teeth clenched, I glance over, meeting Shooter’s gaze. His blue eyes are much darker than Xander’s. They’re soft as they watch me right now.
“I think I might be into him,” I mutter quietly. “But I don’t…really know.”
“You think?” Shooter laughs. “Bro, I didn’t miss how you tried to kiss him at the bonfire last week.”
Groaning, I say, “I had a feeling you caught that.”
“So, what’s the problem?” he asks. “He not into you? He did dodge the fuck out of that kiss.”
I frown, starting to regret confiding in him. “You’re such a dick, you know that?”
“Of course, I do,” he replies with a wide tooth grin. “Now, spill, Copey.”
“I don’t know how he feels,” I mutter honestly. “There have been a few instances where I felt maybe there was something there, but then, like you said, he didn’t let me kiss him. Which I understand. He has a boyfriend, and I shouldn’t have even tried.” Although, it hasn’t escaped me that Xanderdidsay that night if it weren’t for Henry, he wouldn’t have stopped me… Or maybe I’m reading too in between the lines there. I don’t know. I’ve latched on to it and haven’t stopped thinking about it. Heaving a sigh, I go on. “Just… I don’t know. Something came over me in that moment, and I had to.”
Shooter seems to mull over what I said for a moment. “Where’s his boyfriend at?”
“They both live in Washington State.”
“How long have they been together?”
“I don’t know. A few years, on and off, he said.”
He nods. A few moments later, Ginny steps up to the table, setting our food down in front of us. We dig in, and for the time being, the conversation comes to a stop. I got a regular cheeseburger and some fries, but fuck, they’re good. Hitting the spot. For the majority of the time, I make a conscious effort to eat at home. It not only saves me a shit ton of money, but it’s also important for me to eat healthy and balanced to stay in shape for the rodeo. Getting to come here at least once a week is nice, though, because the food is always top-notch, especially for a small town diner.
Shooter wipes his mouth with a napkin before asking, “This the first guy you’ve been attracted to?”
I nod. “Yeah. Well, I mean, of course, I’ve noticed that men are attractive before in the same way I’m able to tell when a woman is attractive. But you know me, I’m not big into hooking up, so it’s never like I’m out searching. Besides, looks aren’t always the most important thing to me anyway. Like, yes, I find Xander incredibly physically attractive.” My cheeks heat up with that confession. I’m sure Shooter can see it. “But I’m also very attracted to his personality. Hanging out and spending time with him is fun and easy. We get along really well.”
“Fucking sucks that he has a boyfriend,” Shooter drawls as he shoves a French fry into his mouth.
“Yeah, you’re fucking telling me.”
My phone goes off in my pocket, and when I pull it out and check the screen, my stomach flutters at seeing Xander’s name flash on the notification.
Xander: Probably not. My aunt is in the hospital with some sort of an infection from the surgery. I’ll probably head back up to the hospital here in a few hours and spend most of the day there.
Me: Damn, is she okay?
