Page 97 of Mr. Red

“How could we hate you for choosing to have a life? We’ve all met Matt. We know he’s in love with you,” Paige says.

“A guy that hot, who cooks? You have to hang on to him!” Jason states.

“Jason, she’s going to cowboy country. You and I can find one who’s willing to take a break from his horse, if you know what I mean.” Paige nudges Jason with a big smile.

“Sounds good, but you guys do know you just opened a gym, right?” Jason gives us a reality check.

“Yes, I’m aware.” I glare at him. “That’s why I need to talk to you guys so we can come up with a plan. Let’s look at all the options—let’s say I move to Texas. What if it doesn’t work out after I’ve moved? I’d be without you guys and without a gym where my career is. I’d be screwed.”

“You guys are going to be fine,” Lana says in a monotone voice.

“No dick will ever be as good as us,” Jason pauses, “but, I haven’t ever hadthatgood of a dick.”

“This is serious, guys! I doubt I can find a gym that was as good of a deal in Texas. We only got this deal because we knew the owners. I have a plan to make sure the gym has a future here, but that’ll take time. It’ll cost more than we want if I rush it.” My arms are crossed as my leg starts moving up and down on its own.

“Don’t worry. We’re going to figure this out,” Paige says, with a consoling hand on my shoulder.

~

Three hours and a bottle of tequila later, we’ve all passed out on my living room floor watching a movie after dinner. The lock turns, startling me awake. I still have the key under the mat, but I wasn’t expecting anyone else to come over.

Jason has fallen asleep on my stomach, so I can’t get up without waking him. The world is also spinning, affecting my reflexes. Why do I always think alcohol is a good idea?

Then my stomach drops. Matt is walking inside. When he spots me, a frown and tense shoulders appear. Instead ofcoming all the way in, he turns and stalks out.

I shuffle Jason off of me. Him waking up isn’t a huge concern anymore; getting to Matt is. Jason doesn’t wake, and I run outside to Matt.

“It’s not what it looks like,” I say, holding my hands up on either side of my head.

“It doesn’t look good when some guy is laying on my girlfriend and she didn’t call!” He keeps walking to his car door.

“I can see that. But—”

He turns towards me. “There’s no excuse for what I just saw in there.” He flares his arm to my place.

“You’re missing some information! Jason is gay. He’s one of the girls. I promise you we’rejustfriends. He was ‘Bumping’ with a guy last night, in fact. I didn’t know he was coming over! I thought it was a girls’ night, but again, he’s basically one of the girls.”

Matt takes a breath and calms down. “I was worried. I called you—several times—but you didn’t answer.”

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t look at my phone. I meant to, but we got to talking.”

“What the hell is ‘Bumping?’”

“It’s a long story.”

“Might help to mention important facts like if a guy is into guys, you know.”

“I know, I know! I should’ve clarified. I forgot to mention anything after our first date. I should’ve also mentioned we drink and then they usually stay over. Safety and all.”

“Yes, mentioning that would’ve been the mature thing to do.”

I nod my head, wringing my hands together. He stands there looking around.

“Have a good rest of the night, I guess.” He starts moving towards the car door. Now that he’s here, I don’t want him to leave.

“I meant to send you a sexy picture. All we did was talk about you most of the night. I just miss them.” I shrug. “Since we’ve been together, it’s been hard to find time with them.”

“Sorry for wanting to be with you.”