Page 15 of Beautiful Trauma
“I think a four-day weekend before fall classes start would be a great idea,” Mom said.
“I agreed to a weekend, not a four-day weekend,” Dad told her.
“You didn’t specify the terms and exclusions in your agreement, so you don’t have a leg to stand on, dear,” Mom said sweetly.
“Yes, counselor,” Dad stated then kissed the cheek she offered.
I was sure Dad had more to say about losing the bet, but the other half of our party arrived before he had the chance. “Son,” Dad said, “I’d like you to meet Carter, Maris, and Jared Blake. I’m sure you don’t remember Jared, but the two of you were quite inseparable when you were toddling around at dinner parties.”
“Maybe seeing me in a diaper will trigger a memory,” Jared said. It suddenly got so quiet you could’ve heard a pin drop before awkward laughter erupted from our parents. I doubted the foursome was aware that diaper wearing was a particular kink, but Jared knew because his face turned as red as a cartoon character’s before it burst into flames. “Oh my God,” he said, turning to his mother. “I told you not to take me out in public. No good ever comes of it.”
His mother’s laughter turned from awkward to delighted. “Ezra is a handsome guy, so it’s okay you tripped over yourself. If he’s anything like his parents, he won’t hold it against you.”
“I definitely won’t,” I assured them. I had to admit; I found Jared’s dark, curly hair, amber eyes, and shy blushes attractive. He was my age and came from a similar background, which usually prevented awkward topics and lulls in conversation. “I don’t know about any of you, but I’m starving tonight. I beat my dad at golf today for the first time in my life. Not only did I beat him; I smacked him down really good.”
“Care to double down on our bet?” Dad asked, pulling my attention back to him.
“I’ve already won,” I reminded him. “Why in the world would I give up my prize?”
“I’ll make the prize much better,” he replied.
“I’m listening.”
“Beat me again, and you can borrow the Aston Martin for a month.”
I wanted to jump all over the opportunity to drive the luxury car for a month but realized my chances of beating my dad two games in a row were slim to none. His smug smile said he knew it too. He was goading me into losing so I wouldn’t get my chance behind the wheel at all.
“That’s as shady as some of the legal briefs coming across my desk lately,” Mom said. “Think it over, Ezra.”
“I don’t accept the challenge,” I said proudly. “I’ll take my four-day weekend and be happy with it.”
Dad smiled proudly then slipped his arm around my shoulders. “Smart boy.”
The hostess showed us to a table in the back where our parents snatched seats to ensure Jared and I were forced to sit beside each other. I offered him a genuine smile while he just shook his head over their obvious behavior. The hostess handed us menus and said, “Sven will be your waiter, and he’ll be with you shortly.”
I set my menu down without looking at it and started to reach for my water glass before realizing it was empty. Across from us, our mothers practically had their heads pressed together while looking at the entrees on the menu and discussing what sounded good, which gave me an excellent view of a rather large gathering across the dining room. It was a damn good thing I hadn’t taken a sip of water because I would’ve choked on it. I’d gone six months without running into Henry Sullivan then suddenly saw him three times in less than twenty-four hours. The universe had it out for me.
Feeling my regard, Henry looked in my direction. His eyes widened, and his lips parted, and even though I was too far away to hear him, I knew he’d let out a delightful little gasp like the first time I licked the rim of his pucker. I knew I was right when the person sitting next to Henry suddenly looked at him before looking in my direction. I recognized the guy from the club. It was Henry’s best friend who’d taken him out to celebrate his twenty-first birthday. It seemed like the large group was celebrating something at Rinella’s too. If I wasn’t mistaken, Henry seemed to be the center of attention, which I knew he didn’t like. Henry’sfriendseemed to be especially handsy. Was that Jessie?
“You must eat here a lot if you’re not even looking at the menu,” Jared said, pulling my gaze away from Henry’s table.
“He gets the same thing every single time,” Dad said.
“Spaghetti and meatballs,” Mom added.
“I’ve tried other things here, but the meatballs are my favorite.” I shrugged. “I’ve already mentioned the appetite I worked up today, and a hearty plate of spaghetti and meatballs will restore my energy.” My eyes drifted back to Henry’s table when everyone except my dad laughed at my joke.
Henry was too busy talking to the man on his other side to notice I was looking at him again. The handsome African American man looked to be around my age and was dressed in a suit that would rival the ones my father wore to work. The affectionate way Henry looked at the man was returned tenfold, yet I didn’t get a romantic vibe from them. A waiter carrying a tray of drinks stopped at their table, momentarily blocking my view. When he walked away, I saw Henry take a sip of a pale-yellow cocktail. He nodded his head and took another sip. Henry licked his lips and looked at the glass in surprise like he hadn’t expected it to taste so good. Instead of setting the glass down, he took a longer sip. The two men on either side of him exchanged smiles and possibly a private joke.
I snapped out of my trance when the waiter stepped up to our table. “Hello, I’m Sven, and I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can I start you off with drinks?”
“I’d love a mojito,” Maris said.
“Oh, that sounds good. I’ll have one also,” my mom added.
Dad and Carter both ordered whiskey on the rocks, Jared ordered a glass of red wine, and I ordered a Sprite.
“Not much of a drinker?” Jared asked me.