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“True.”

While I gather my things, I look at Sterling again. “Make sure to update me on your progress,” I tell him.

“Will do,” he promises.

“So,” Lynn looks around. “Did I truly manage to find myself amidst a whole group of handsome, gay guys?” she asks dryly.

“I don’t think you need me to answer that,” I say.

“Yeah, sorry, gayer than anyone else here,” Noel says.

Sterling nods. “Me too.”

“Well, I for one am bi,” Cedric says.

“Just like me,” Mateo grins and wiggles his eyebrows at Lynn.

Lynn stares at him and raises her brows. “You are?”

He nods.

“And you are single? Because I am not hooking up with someone else’s man.”

“As single as one can be, and you?”

“My last flirt just dumped me.”

“I am tall,” Mateo says.

“I see that,” Lynn says. “Who even cares?”

“A lot do,” he admits.

“I will let you fuck me, if you promise you won’t get all insecure because I earn a lot.”

“Well, guys,” Mateo grabs his jacket. “I obviously have a date with a beautiful woman now.” When Lynn blinks at him, he grins. “I give a shit about how much you earn. Lead the way, Sugar Mama.”

“Oh, my god,” Noel groans. “Why are you so embarrassing?”

Mateo just grins and winks at us before following Lynn outside. I feel my phone vibrating. When I open my messages, I almost fear that it’s Oliver again, or Kayden, or one of the others, but to my surprise, it’s Noel.

Can I go home with you?

When I look at him, he looks away, his cheeks tinted a sweet, peachy color. I can’t help but reach out my hand to touch his soft hair. “Yes,” I say.

eighteen

*NOEL*

Aden and I make a brief detour to my place so that I can fetch some clothes and necessities.

The most tumultuous evening of my life is coming to an end. It was an up and down of emotions, or rather, a down and up, starting with me sulking in Sterling’s loft, then Aden hunting me down and us talking, ending with us meeting our friends for that crazy get-together.

Aden unlocks the door to his house, letting me in. A repeat of two nights ago, just that this time my mind is much calmer.

“Aden, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”