“What if we try that kiss again? Maybe this time it’ll turn out a bit better.” He winks at me and shifts his hips so his hard cock rubs against me.
“I think we already have.” I grab his ass and pull him in a bit closer. He leans in and kisses me, slow and gentle. When I slip my tongue into his mouth, he moans and presses against me.
I might have been heartbroken back then, but I couldn’t imagine what it would do to me to lose Colt now. Whatever it took, that couldn’t happen.
Chapter Twenty-Three
NATHAN
“Oh my god.If it isn’t our long-lost friend. Wait, don’t tell me. I’ll remember your name. Stephen? Carl?”
“Very funny, Matthias. I missed one week.” I slide into the booth next to Aaron. The guys already have a collection of empty beer glasses on the table. I eye the beer they ordered for me in advance. I need some food in my system first. I skipped lunch—yes, again—and alcohol and an empty stomach do not go well together.
“I think it’s the first time you’ve missed our weekly get-together since you had food poisoning. Even then, we had to force you to stay home. I thought you might show up with a bucket,” Matthias points out.
I shudder at the memory. Those forty-eight hours were beyond miserable. I’d prayed to any god I could think of to end my suffering. Fortunately, one of them took pity on me.
“Colt needed me.” Matthias gags, and the others chuckle. “I’m not going to make it a habit.” I didn’t intend to be one of those people who ditch their friends the minute they get aserious boyfriend. I made the right choice last week, though. Colt’s dad was an asshole, and Colt needed a reminder of that. I’d do whatever it took to ensure he understood how much I cared about him. His family might not be willing to offer the unconditional love he deserved, but I could.
“We’re joking. We all think Colt is great for you.” Tyler puts his hand on my back. “Dude, you look like you saw a ghost or something.”
“I, uh, I think I love him.” Where did that come from? I keep hearing the words repeating in my head. My friends stare at me like I’m about to sprout a second head. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“We knew that already.” Aaron takes a long sip of his beer. “Wait, are you just realizing it?”
“Maybe. I’ve always cared for Colt, but I don’t know when I fell in love with him.” In love with him? I’m in love with Colt.
“Probably around when you got each other off against my garage door.”
I groan and cover my face with my hands. I didn’t need Matthias to share that tidbit with the rest of the table. However, judging by the lack of outbursts, they already knew.
“What should I do?”
“Well, I’m not an expert on this, but I think you’re supposed to tell him.” Matthias looks smug, and I hate it. He’s right on both parts. I wouldn’t consider him a relationship expert, but he has a point. I need to tell Colt. The thought sends a chill through my body.
“What if he doesn’t feel the same way? It’ll be like high school again when I pour my heart out to him only to discover everything’s one-sided.” Except, that wasn’t entirely true. It would take me a while to accept the new version of events he’d sprung on me.
Tyler clears his throat and nods toward the bar.
“Oh, um, we’re going to grab another round,” Aaron says as he shoves Matthias out of the booth, leaving me alone with Tyler.
“I’m about to give you some tough love. Colt is head over heels in love with you. That’s clear to anyone who’s seen you together. I know you’re worried he won’t feel the same when you tell him because of your past together, but I guarantee he loves you, too.”
“You don’t know that.” I shake my head. Tyler never gets serious with anyone. It seems to be a trend in this friend group. I wish one of them could give me some more lived advice.
“I do. I’m probably not supposed to say anything, but Colt told me how serious he is about your relationship.”
I snap my head up. “What? When?”
“When we were all at Matthias’s house. I threatened him,and he told me you were the one.”
“I have no idea what part of that sentence to ask about first.” My beer sits at the table, untouched, my head still buzzing.
“Neither, because I’m not giving you any more details. I’m telling you that what you feel is the same thing Colt feels. For once in your life, don’t overthink. Just jump.”
“That’s a lot of wisdom from someone who’s already had”—I count the empty glasses next to him—“three beers.”
“No judging.” Tyler raises a finger at me. “Not all of us are in ridiculously sappy relationships.”
