Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Taking these clothes, he packed them, and then dressed, trying hard to manipulate his mind into believing he felt better than he really did. He stayed just as lost, with no memories resurfacing. Trevor reread the text from Reed again, as well as the note. Both were short and sweet, giving him zero clues as to what he may have agreed to last night.
On so many levels, this was a horrible thing. What the hell was Reed talking about? Trevor never let anyone know his feelings on his own personal relationships, but he figured Rylie and Brody knew the truth—heck, they were his best friends. But if Reed had been there last night, after Trevor obsessed about him all day yesterday, after he had gotten to such a state of drunkenness...who knows what he let slip.
At this point, all he could do was hope he hadn’t looked like too big an ass in front of Rylie’s family. But that wasn’t the worst of it. Sudden fear gripped his heart, making it hard to breathe. What had he done in front of his team?
Damn, did he come out last night? Surely not! Rylie didn’t know how he got home. If he left publicly with Reed, Rylie would have known. Right? Regardless of don’t ask, don’t tell, Trevor didn’t want anyone to know. The military was his life. He had nothing without it. With those dread-filled thoughts, he finally texted Reed back.
‘I need help with remembering what happened last night. I'm sorry. And what exactly did we decide to do tonight?’
Trevor typed the text, retyped it, and finally hit send before letting himself fall back on the bed while he waited for a response.
Thank GOD Reed’s text came back quick!
‘Hahaha! I’ll tell you tonight. We’re just going to hang at my place and cook some steaks on the grill. Or if you’d rather go out, we can go to dinner somewhere. It's up to you.’
Relief flooded Trevor. So he had been freaking out for nothing. Just because he crushed on Reed all day yesterday didn’t mean he acted the ass. He was now picturing a much better scenario than anything his over active imagination conjured up. Tonight just sounded like a couple of guys, budding around.
Reed was a seriously hot guy who could have his pick of men. Trevor certainly didn’t fall anywhere in that category. At very best, and in a dark room, Trevor might be considered average. So it couldn’t be an interested ‘let’s date’ thing. Reed just moved back to town. He needed a friend or two. Yeah, Trevor could see that so much easier than thinking Reed wanted a date. Feeling better, Trevor went downstairs to find something to eat.
Nothing more than sheer will-power kept the sandwich down. Trevor chugged a large glass of Coke, and sat at the small kitchen table in Rylie’s apartment, finally manning up to text Reed back.
‘Your answer makes me nervous. I hope I didn't embarrass myself or Rylie too badly. I'm not a big drinker. I'm good with just hanging. Whatever you want to do is fine by me. I could meet you wherever. You don't have to drive all the way here. I can borrow Rylie's truck.’
It wasn’t a moment later before Reed’s return message came back.
‘I don't want you nervous, Trevor. We’ll discuss what happened later. You didn't embarrass yourself at all. I rather enjoyed our time together. I gathered you weren't a big drinker; I'm not either. I look forward to hanging out with you. I have to go to the store anyway, so I’ll pick you up.’
After scanning the message a couple of times, Trevor decided it all seemed reasonably clear cut in his mind. He cleaned his dishes, but kept a steady stream of hydration pumping into his body. Grabbing two water bottles, Trevor went up to his room to get ready for the night. A long hot shower helped his head and the food seemed to settle his stomach. Wiping a towel over the bathroom mirror, Trevor began the whole manscaping routine: shaving, clipping his fingernails, removing all unwanted hair. Hair gel came next, and who would have thought hair gel could be such an issue? Trevor always used gel when going out. Lifting the plastic tube, he stopped and put it back down. This wasn't a formal going out deal; they were just going to hang out. Trevor picked the gel back up; it always helped to look your best. But once more, he put it back down. Standing in the mirror, Trevor stared hard at himself for several long moments.
“Looking your best for what? Reed’s fo-reekin’ HOT and you're NOT. It doesn't matter how you look tonight. It’s just two guys hanging," Trevor said directly to his reflection, and then reached his hand back out to pick up the gel, cocking an eyebrow at himself in the mirror.
"But what if he has friends over? Maybe there’ll be someone better suited for you to meet. Ever think about that?" Trevor put the gel down, still talking directly to himself as if saying it out loud made it an easier debate.
"If Reed has friends, he wouldn't need to hang with you, dumbass." Finally, Trevor swiped the gel off the counter top and squeezed a small amount onto his fingers. He ran it through the wayward pieces of hair, trying to tame those few odd strands which seemed to always fall straight onto his forehead. Then he padded to the closet. Time ticked by while Trevor contemplated all the clothing he brought. He tried on jeans, slacks, then back to jeans, only to finally decide on slacks. He went from a short sleeve button down to a long sleeve, to a pull over, to a polo, then back to the short sleeve button down. A critique of different belts lead to a crisis over the shoes. He tried on every pair he’d managed to stuff in his duffel bag: dress shoes, loafers, even tennis shoes. While stuck in the middle of his quandary, the doorbell rang. Completely caught off guard, he quickly looked down at his watch and was surprised at how much time he’d taken to dress.