Page 8

Chapter 8

Darcy

W est wanted a celebration dinner. I was fine with it in theory, but now that we’re sitting here, it feels oddly like a date. I know it’s not. I know it’s not, but I can’t help that it feels that way.

When he asked to go to dinner the first night, it was easy enough to brush off. And then when he asked the second time, I was sitting across from Parker and my face was bright red and they were giving me crap about it. So I just put my phone away and acted like I didn’t see it.

But that didn’t deter West. When he quietly asked if I wanted to go to dinner before we left the coffee shop, I knew I couldn’t turn him down again. There was no reason. No reason that wouldn’t have been suspicious anyway.

I should have said no. I was wrong before. This may be my thirteenth reason .

Because why did he have to bring me here? With the twinkling lights and the candles on the table and the romantic atmosphere. Does this man not know what a date looks like? This is ridiculous.

“I’m excited you finally agreed.”

I dart my gaze up to West. “What do you mean?”

He waves his hands around the table. “To going to dinner with me. I’m glad you agreed.”

Oh my God. He can’t be serious right now. Why is he making it sound like it’s a date? My pulse flutters in my throat as I grip my menu tightly in my hands. “I didn’t realize it was such a big deal.”

He lets out a warm laugh. “I mean, I had to ask three times , Darcy. Almost feels like getting to take you to dinner is more of a celebration than actually passing a history test.”

I blink at him, my fingers flexing against the menu. I don’t even respond. I have no idea what to even say. “Yeah.”

Well, that wasn’t great. Maybe saying nothing would have been better. He hums, so I drop my eyes to my menu. I’m not really seeing it. Doesn’t matter. I’ll probably just get a steak. “At any rate, I’m glad we’re here,” he says.

My stomach does something deeply inconvenient. “So, what are you getting?” I ask, trying to get myself to calm down and focus on the fact that this is not a date . Nothing more than a dinner between friends. A friendly, platonic dinner. Nothing to be freaking out over.

He doesn’t answer for a second, so I look up at him. He’s watching me, his head tilted to the side. It looks like he’s trying to figure me out, his eyes slowly exploring my face. I can feel my cheeks heating up, but he still doesn’t look away. His eyes drop to my lips, so quickly I’d almost think it’s a trick of the light.

Why is he doing that? Why did he look at my lips? He didn’t, clearly. This is messing with my head. That’s all. There’s no way. I look down at my menu, trying to ignore the way my heart is pounding and my stomach is twisted in knots.

West clears his throat. “What are you getting?”

“Probably steak,” I mumble, not looking up from my menu.

“Cool. Me too.”

I scoff, trying to focus on literally anything but my spiraling. I have to get us back on normal ground. I’ll never survive this if I don’t. “Copycat.” I close my menu and set it down in front of me, finally lifting my eyes to his.

He’s smiling at me. It’s lazy and adorable and I hate it. His eyes dip again and this time I know I didn’t imagine it. “Maybe you just have good taste.”

I force myself to exhale. “Or maybe you’re just unoriginal.”

He relaxes in his chair, clutching his chest. “Ouch.”

I can’t help but smile. I guess I’ll be going down with the ship. How tragic for my heart. But hey, I made it most of my life without a straight boy crush, so it was only a matter of time. “How will you ever recover?”

“I’m really not sure.” I can tell by the teasing glint in his eyes he’s not as bothered as he’d like to pretend. “You know, I thought you’d be more excited about dinner. You’re acting a little strange.”

Well, how nice of him to notice. “I’m excited.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You’re acting like you’re at the dentist.”

A laugh bursts from my chest. “I’m sorry. It’s just…” I stop talking. I shouldn’t have talked at all. At least not in that direction.

West’s watching me, his expression patient and expectant. “It’s just?”

I sigh. “I’m not sure why we came… here,” I say, gesturing around the restaurant .

West looks around, a furrow between his brows like he’s not sure what the problem is. “What’s wrong with this place? I thought it was nice.”

It is nice. God, I sound like a brat. “No, it is. It’s just… aren’t you worried people will think we’re on a date?”

He blinks at me, like he hadn’t even considered that. “A date?” he repeats. I expect the question to freak him out and my heart’s in my throat because, truthfully, why did I even say that? And I consider myself intelligent? Oh god, I’m freaking out. He shrugs. “Would it be the worst thing?”

What? “I’m sorry… what?”

West’s eyes go wide. “I mean… I wasn’t really thinking about that.” He tilts his head to the side, his expression softening. “I just wanted to take you to dinner, Darcy. That’s all.” He gives me an easy grin. “So what you’re saying is I have great taste in restaurants?”

I kind of expected outright denial and I’m not sure how to deal with the fact that it’s… not that. He’s acting like it wouldn’t bother him at all if that’s what people thought. I swallow hard. “That’s not what I said at all.”

He leans forward, bracing his arms on the table. His expression turns serious. “If it’s making you uncomfortable, we can go somewhere else.”

Jeez. I really do sound like a spoiled brat. “No,” I say, forcing myself to calm down. “No. It’s fine. I’m sorry for being difficult.”

He watches me for a second before he sighs. It sounds oddly disappointed, and it makes my stomach sink. “Would it bother you , Darcy? Is that what this is?” He leans a little closer, lowering his voice. “I know I’m probably not the type of person you usually associate with. If being out with me is embarrassing you, we can leave. ”

Embarrassed… of him ? Of all the ways I thought he would interpret what I said, I never guessed it would be that. “No,” I breathe. “No, West. I—I’m not embarrassed by you at all. I just—I don’t want people to talk and mess up your reputation.”

West’s nose scrunches up. “My reputation? Darcy, I don’t give a fuck what people think of me. What are they gonna do? Make jokes about my sexuality? Okay. Who cares? I don’t. I’ll only care if someone hurts you .”

My heart stutters in my chest, my breath getting caught in my lungs. He doesn’t want someone to hurt me ? He doesn’t even care what people think of him hanging out with me. He doesn’t care if someone gets the wrong idea. He just doesn’t want me hurt. I’m not sure how to feel about that. “I’m sorry,” I repeat.

He gives me his usual easy grin. “Don’t be sorry. Let’s just enjoy our dinner, okay?”

I look up from my textbook when my phone buzzes, and pick it up.

I can’t help but smile at the text message from West.

West

Fuck yes. I got an A- on my unit test.

Me

That’s so amazing! So proud of you.

West

Couldn’t have done it without you! Cookies and football tonight at my place?

It’s been two weeks since our celebration dinner and while things have gone somewhat back to normal as far as my behavior, it hasn’t gotten any easier to be around him. He’s just so… much. Loud and alive and thrilling. He’s fun. And he makes me feel fun too. And he’s got me addicted to those fudge brownie cookies and football, so I already know I’m going to say yes.

Me

Of course. What time?

West

I’m free now. We only have one more week until live games start. We’ve got to make sure you’re good to go.

I glance around at my work. There’s nothing here that needs to be done right now, and if I’m being honest with myself, I’d much rather spend time with West than study. I’m starting to feel bad, though. Like my little crush is getting out of hand. I know it will end in heartbreak—probably my own—and ruin our friendship, but I can’t help but want to soak up his presence in any way I can.

Me

On my way.

West

Hell yes! Ordering cookies now .

By the time I make it to West’s, I’m passing the cookie guy in the hall. He gives me a little wave, telling me to enjoy. I almost laugh—him knowing who I am tells me more than anything how frequently I’m at West’s place. And also how often we order cookies.

When I get to his door, I knock, but don’t wait for him to answer before I step in. That was the wrong choice. “Oh, crap.” I turn my back, quickly facing the door, my heart racing.

West’s warm laughter echoes from behind me. “Are you good, Darcy?”

“Uh-huh, yes.” I take a deep breath, trying to keep my mind from picturing the way West is standing there in only his briefs. “Um, why are you naked?”

“I spilled my water on my lap. I thought I’d have more time to change before you got here.”

“Ah, yes,” I mumble, face burning. “That’s my bad.”

“What’s wrong? Am I not your type?” He’s teasing me. “I’m a little offended you turned around so quickly.”

“You don’t need me to stroke your ego.” My dick thickens, my mind racing to the things on him I’d like to stroke instead. No .

“Hey, I’m dressed. Are you okay?”

“Fine.” It comes out high-pitched and kind of shaky, though.

“You can turn around.”

I glance down, and it seems my situation is mostly hidden. He’d pretty much have to be looking to see that I’m having a problem. Which he’s not going to do. I turn around, and my jaw almost hits the floor. “I thought you said you were dressed.”

West looks down at himself. “I am.”

Only he’s barely dressed. All he has on is a pair of gray freaking sweats slung so low on his hips that the band of his underwear is showing. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was doing it on purpose. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He sticks out his lower lip, pouting at me. “I’m a little hurt that you turned around so quickly. I thought I was at least a little nice to look at.”

My eyes dart down against my will, tracing over the definition of his chest and stomach. I mean, yeah, he’s really freaking nice to look at. Crap. My face flushes and I look up. I shrug. “Eh.”

West lets out a laugh, stepping closer to me. A wave of his scent hits me and almost knocks me backward. He smells so good. Clean and warm. I know that makes zero sense, but I don’t make the rules. “Just, eh?”

I nod. “I turned because I wanted to be respectful and not make things weird.”

His eyes light up and it’s only then that I realize I didn’t deny him outright. “Hmm, interesting. So you do find me attractive.”

“I didn’t say that.”

He grins, smug. “You didn’t not say that either.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, making the muscles there flex. “Your ego is seriously out of control.”

He shrugs. “Can you blame me? I’m standing a foot in front of you, and you can’t even make eye contact.” Oh. I force my eyes up to find that he’s smirking at me. “You like what you see?”

Oh my God. I’m over here fighting for my life and he’s teasing me. Fine, two can play at that game. “Yeah, actually. I am a red-blooded gay man, and you are indeed much too hot for your own good.”

If I thought that would throw him off his game, I was sorely mistaken. Something flashes in his eyes, there and gone so fast I have no hope of figuring out what it was, then he’s leaning in closer. “Is that so? Then why did you turn around so fast?”

I swallow, my heart pounding so hard I’m not sure how he can’t hear it. “Because I’m respectful, and I have self-control.”

West watches me for a second, his eyes dropping to my lips, before stepping back and making his way to the couch. I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm my heart. He sits down, patting the spot beside him. “Come on. Get your self-controlled ass over here. We have football to watch and cookies to demolish.”