Page 30 of Before It's Too Late

Nobody had said anything else about him and Cael being more than friends, but the idea hadn’t strayed too far from his mind. Maybe it was just the vodka, but the thought didn’t seem too far-fetched. Best friends fell in love with each other all the time.

Wait.

Love?

Glossy eyed, his mind muddled from the hard liquor, Zach looked at his best friend. His gaze roved over Cael’s face then fell on his lips as they moved, but Zach paid no attention to the words. When Cael stopped talking to listen to something Emma said, his tongue darted out a little to lick his lip. But it wasn’t until Cael bit his bottom lip that Zach’s heart stuttered and he tore his eyes away.

Fuck.

As Zach stared vacantly at Taylor, waiting for the panic in his chest to subside, Cael grabbed his thigh and squeezed. Zach blinked, flicking his gaze to Cael.

“Hey,” Cael said. “You ready to head home?”

Zach opened his eyes wide and blinked again, thinking hard on the question that was asked. “Uh… yeah.”

“Yep. He’s drunk. Better get your man home.” Chloe’s voice sounded far away, and Zach wondered if he’d imagined them along with the warmth erupting in his chest and heat prickling across his skin.

The drive home passed by Zach in a haze.

Cael parked in the garage and killed the ignition. Zach didn’t move.

“Pook? You still awake?”

Zach’s eyes fluttered open, and he struggled to keep them that way. “Huh?”

“We’re home. Taylor’s asleep. I’m gonna get her and put her to bed. If you’re not in the house by the time I’m done, I’ll come back for you.”

“‘Kay.”

Zach gave himself a minute then climbed out of the car. As he headed for the inside of the house, the room started to spin. Zach braced his hand on the hood of the SUV and closed his eyes, waiting for the dizziness to stop. After a minute of not moving and steady breathing, the spinning stopped.

Zach made it as far as the kitchen when Cael appeared from the hallway. Cael slipped past him to the fridge. Grabbing a cold bottle of water, Cael twisted the top off and handed it to Zach.

“Drink.”

Zach didn’t argue. He tipped the bottle and swallowed a few gulps. “Thanks.”

“Feeling sick at all?”

Zach shook his head. “Dazed. A little dizzy. Definitely drunk.”

“I can tell,” Cael chuckled. “It’s still a little early. You wanna watch a movie?”

“Sure.” Zach stood frozen in place, staring at the buttons on Cael’s shirt.

“Alright. Come on.” Cael clasped Zach’s hand and pulled him to the couch. “Sit and keep drinking, just not too fast.”

Zach did as he was told. Cael sat beside him and grabbed the TV remote. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, Cael scrolled through the on-screen guide.

“Can I ask you something?” Zach said.

“Go ahead.”

“Have you really thought about kissing me?”

“Sort of.” Cael glanced back over his shoulder at Zach. “What can I say? You’re cute.”

Zach knit his brow. “I’m serious. Have you?”