“This isn’t funny. I really like him.”Even if I probably shouldn’t.
He forced his thoughts away.
“Lemme get this straight. To show him just how much you like him, you pointed out a bunch of jocks?” Luke looked at him like the fool he was. “To the guy who isnota jock?”
“I’ll assume you didn’t tell him it was to see ifheliked sporty spice,” Nico said.
Coury cocked his head and looked at his friends. “No?”
Nico and Luke turned to each other and shook theirs. “Should we stage an intervention?”
Coury sat up. “Please. You two are going to lecture me on how to tell someone you like them? You guys? You spent the whole summer pretending you were pretending. Next I’ll get dating advice from a cloistered monk.”
“Who better than two experts to teach you how not to do something?” Nico’s grin made it hard for Coury to be mad.
“Fair enough. You twoarethe MVPs of fake dating.”
“You shouldn’t insult us if you want our help.” Luke got up and planted himself next to Coury, mattress jumping under them. “If I remember, a certain roommate of mine kept telling me to tell Nico how I really felt. You can see how that worked out.”
“I also know you didn’t listen to me at all. Nico had to set you straight.”
“First, my boyfriend issonot straight.” Nico smiled sweetly at Luke. “Second, we both waited way too long. Don’t wait until the end of the semester to tell him how you feel.”
“I wanted to tell him, but . . .” He shrugged.
“You thought it would be a good idea to point out hot guys and ask if he liked them.” Nico rolled his eyes.
“Fine. I get it.” He slapped his hands to his head. “I fucked up. What do I do now?”
“You try again,” Luke said. “This time find a place where other guys won’t distract you.”
Coury growled. “They weren’t distracting me.”
Nico held out his hand and pulled Luke up. “Fine, then next time, don’t point them out to the guy you like.”
* * *
Liam
A cold nose touched Liam’s arm, and he lifted his head. “Hey, Slider. You and Pop took a long walk.” He reached down and rubbed the dog’s fuzzy head.
“I need to exercise the lazy from my demon dog.” Pop filled the electric kettle. “Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“My, that’s some enthusiasm. I make a mean cup of tea.”
“You do.”
Pop plugged it in and flicked the switch. “You’re a mopey mess. What’s going on? Did they rescind your job offer?”
He shook his head. “That’s fine.”
“What are you wallowing in that has you this unhappy?” Pop raised an eyebrow. “Or should I guess? This has to do with a certain tutoree you met for coffee today?”
“Don’t need to guess. I think I like Coury.Likelike, not just as friends.”
“No!” Pop slapped his hand over his heart. “That’s astounding. I can’t believe it. Never in a million years!”
