Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Cancel and stay with us,” Marcus told me.
“Yeah, but I’d kinda like to have an orgasm,” I replied, which was true. Why wouldn’t I want to have one, and it wouldn’t be difficult to find, even if I didn’t really have it all set up like I made it sound.
“It’s early, Corb. Can’t you meet up with them later?” Declan asked. “You didn’t even eat all your food.”
“Says the guy who could slip into one of Marcus’s spare bedrooms with his man if he wanted.” There was a stiffness to my voice I hadn’t intended. Ugh. What was wrong with me? Why was I being so strange? “Seriously, though. I gotta go. Places to go, people to do.”
They didn’t seem convinced, but they didn’t argue with me either.
Marcus said, “We’re going to do something just me and you soon. I won’t take no for an answer.” He cocked a brow.
“I would expect nothing less of my daddy.” I winked. And I wouldn’t say no. Why would I? Even if there was a voice in the back of my head telling me a grown-ass man shouldn’t need his best friend to do that so he felt loved.
When I left, I didn’t get on an app for a hookup or message any regulars. I headed for a bar and ordered myself a drink.
CHAPTER FOUR
Spencer
Even though it was the weekend, I’d just finished up a spreadsheet for work, when there was a knock on my door. I frowned, not sure who it could be. I didn’t often have people stopping by out of the blue.
For a second I thought about ignoring it because I was tired and didn’t really feel like dealing with people. Money was tight at the center, and I wasn’t getting the responses I was hoping for when it came to some of the events I was trying to plan, and that put me in a shitty mood.
When the knock came again, I stood with a sigh, went to open the door—and frowned. Corbin was the last person I’d have expected to see there.
“I was thinking it’s been a while since you’ve seen me, so I figured you must miss me.” Corbin gave me a wide-mouthed smile, likely inspired by what smelled like the whole bar he must have drunk.
“Did you drive home?”
“Of course not. You must really think I’m a shitty person. Can I come in?” Corbin didn’t wait for an answer before slipping around me and coming into my apartment. He’d never been inside before. Most of our interactions happened in the hallway or elevator.
“Usually people wait for a response before taking action.”
“Most people aren’t me…and you missed me, remember? It’s okay to admit it. In fact, if you don’t, I’ll know it’s a lie. Is this your family?” he asked, looking at one of the photographs on my bookshelf, then brushed his fingers over his very light five-o’clock shadow.
Okay, well, that was a quick change of subject. I had no idea what was going on here, but something in my gut told me not to call him on it or ask him to leave.
“Yeah. My parents and my siblings.”
“Are you close?”
“We are. They’re my biggest supporters in everything I do.”
“That’s Marcus, Parker, and Declan for me. They’re my person…my peoples? My people. Drunk-talking is hard. But they’re that. I’m lucky to have them, and their partners are lucky to have them too. It’s kinda perfect. None of them suck. What are the odds?”
I chuckled, walking over to stand beside him. “You don’t have blood family?” I asked because clearly his friends were that for him, and blood wasn’t what made people family.
“I do.”
A heaviness filled my chest, putting pressure on my heart. “Are they not accepting?” It was the story of too many people in the queer community.
“They love me. They just think I’m going to hell. But I don’t want to talk about that. I tried to find a boyfriend tonight, but all anyone wanted was to fuck me.” He walked to my couch and fell onto it, like he’d been here a thousand times.
“Did you randomly ask men if they wanted to be your boyfriend?”
“No, I’m not an idiot. I told them I’d probably be taking applications soon and asked for their contact info.”
My mouth fell open, not quite sure how to respond to that. Corbin winked and grinned. I couldn’t tell if he’d been joking or not. “Really?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know. Why? Would you want to apply?”
I didn’t answer that. “I’ve heard your show. You wanting a boyfriend is new.”
He dropped his head back on the couch. “They all have one and I don’t, and I miss them even though they’re right here. It looks amazing…being loved like that, but even more than that…I’ve never felt like the odd man out with the Bum Bums…the Beach Bums before, and now I do.” He closed his eyes and turned his head away. Damned if my insides didn’t start to soften for him even more. Corbin was not what I’d thought, not what I’d expected. I didn’t know exactly what it was, but it was clear he was hurting.