Page 23 of Coming Clean

Connor

I pulled into Jeremy’s driveway and parked behind Sabrina’s Civic. She’d said yes to dinner, of course. She’d been thrilled to be asked and thrilled I was ready to admit I was seeing Jeremy every day, a fact she’d apparently known but kept quiet about.

I’d spent most of the day with Jeremy but had gone home to change into something nicer than the clothes I’d worn over there the day before.

Sabrina was just getting out of her car when I returned.

She was wearing outrageously bright pink pants that fit her generous hips snugly, a floral tank top, and showy yellow heels.

I knew she often went for wild colors, but I’d never seen her look so much like a tropical oasis. Was she trying to impress David?

She gave me a bold once-over. “You look yummy.”

“What? I don’t look any different than usual.

” I’d put on a pair of dark jeans—the ones I wore when I went out hoping for a hookup—and my shirt was light gray with thin black stripes, one of the few button-ups I owned.

My shoulders strained the fabric just a little and the sleeves hugged my biceps.

I wanted to show off a little, make Jeremy proud of what he had.

I was going to sound like an idiot trying to talk to David and Jeremy with their advanced degrees.

David might slam me for being in the closet and think I was a dumb Marine with nothing but a high school diploma, but at least I looked good.

Sabrina narrowed her eyes. “Don’t even try to act like you aren’t trying to impress him. Look at you, all cleaned up.”

I shrugged. “It’s no big deal that I wanted to wear something other than a t-shirt.”

She snorted. “How’d you even get into those pants?”

They were on the tight side. “Magic.”

“I bet.” Sabrina grabbed my arm and tugged. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

“Just a second.” I walked around to the passenger side of my truck and grabbed the assortment of pastries I’d picked up for dessert. I’d insisted on at least bringing something since Jeremy had said he didn’t need any help with dinner.

“You really like him, don’t you?” Sabrina asked as we approached the house.

Fortunately, I was saved from answering by Jeremy opening the door before we knocked. David was right behind him, holding a glass of wine. Great, I was a beer drinker at a wine party.

Jeremy began making introductions. “David, you’ve already met Connor.”

David tilted his head in my direction. “I have.” His tone said he wished he hadn’t.

“And this is Sabrina.”

David brightened and extended his hand, but instead of shaking when Sabrina took it, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Very pleased to meet you.”

I wanted to gag. David certainly wasn’t doing anything to improve my opinion of him.

“Likewise.” Sabrina giggled. She never giggled.

“How do you guys know each other?” David asked, though surely Jeremy had told him.

“Connor and my brother were in the Marines together. When Connor’s tour ended, I offered him a place to stay while he figured out a new direction.”

David gave me an assessing look, probably trying to decide how much of a lazy bum I was.

Sabrina continued. “I needed a second job, since I’m saving for grad school, so I’m working for Connor now.” She beamed at me. “I’m so happy his business has taken off the way it has.” At least she believed in me.

"Yes, that’s great,” David said, without Sabrina’s enthusiasm.

Jeremy took the pastry box and whispered in my ear. “You look amazing. I’m considering sending them home.”

Oh, please do. “I like that idea.”

“What idea?” Sabrina asked.

“Having a drink,” Jeremy said, heading for the kitchen, his arm still linked with mine. “Beer or wine?” he asked, opening the fridge.

“Beer,” I answered, glad I had a choice.

“Both?” Sabrina laughed. “It’s been a long day. I’m filling out applications for grad schools.”

“What program are you applying for?” David asked.

“Psychology. I want to be a therapist who focuses on PTSD. After learning what recon teams really go through, or as much of it as I’m allowed to know, I’ve realized how much need there is for soldiers to have good therapists.”

“You were recon?” David asked, eyeing me like he didn’t quite believe it. Why was the man such an ass to me?

"Yes, but I don’t like to talk about it.” I glared at Sabrina. She knew better than to bring up what I’d dealt with. I didn’t talk about that shit with anyone.

Jeremy held up two beers, both local ales. “Sabrina, you want to start with one of these?”

“Sure,” she said, taking the nearest one.

“Dinner’s almost ready. I made lasagna, garlic bread, and a salad.”

“Sounds great.” I’d been worried Jeremy would make something exotic. I didn’t want to have a culinary adventure. Dealing with David was more than enough.

“You started the cleaning business all by yourself?” David asked. Was he implying that was impossible?

“Sabrina helped me make connections to get my first clients. Once I had several satisfied customers, I realized I could expand, so I took some small-business classes and officially established my company.”

“And you’ve been in business over a year?” David asked.

“That’s right. I’ve hired Sabrina and two others to help me.”

David nodded. “Impressive.” He seemed to mean it.

“Thanks.” I wasn’t going to be pissy if David was trying to be sincere.

Jeremy served dinner a few minutes later. We ate at the table in what was supposed to be the formal dining room. Jeremy had managed to give the room a more casual feel and he used everyday plates. I was glad because I didn’t want to feel like the beast at the ball trying to eat off fancy china.

Conversation stayed light throughout dinner, although I couldn’t manage to relax as I waited for criticism from David and watched him flirt shamelessly with Sabrina.

When Jeremy started clearing plates I hesitated, torn between helping him clean up and serve dessert, and staying in the dining room to keep an eye on David. Of course, Sabrina seemed to actually enjoy David’s over-the-top, attention-getting tactics.

I caught Sabrina’s eye and raised a brow, trying to silently ask if she was as happy as she looked. Instead of simply nodding, she went with a less subtle response. “Connor, I bet Jeremy could use help with the dessert.” Great. She was not only happy, but she also wanted to get rid of me.

“I was just thinking that.” I pushed my chair back and stood. “Do remember we’re coming back,” I added, glaring at David.

David grinned. “I’ll see if I can behave.”

“Do that.” I took my plate and David’s and headed into the kitchen.

“I was going to get those,” Jeremy said. He was placing the pastries on a platter next to a stack of dessert plates.

“No problem. I thought I’d help.”

Jeremy grinned. “You wanted to escape.”

“Sabrina wanted me to.”

“Ah. I told you those two would like each other.”

"Yes, you guessed right.” The words came out with a bitter edge I hadn’t been able to contain.

Jeremy sighed. “I was really hoping you’d warm up to David.”

“He’s been… polite during dinner.”

“I know you two didn’t get the best start.”

I focused on arranging the pastries in a perfectly symmetrical pattern. “He doesn’t trust me.”

Jeremy didn’t try to deny it. “He’s skeptical about things working out for us.”

“Really?” I winced at the sarcasm in my tone. I needed to try harder for Jeremy’s sake, but David irritated the fuck out of me.

Jeremy didn’t seem put off by my remark. “He can be abrasive.”

“And flirtatious.” I glanced at Jeremy as I rearranged a miniature strawberry shortcake and a petit four.

“That too, but Sabrina doesn’t seem to mind.”

I shook my head. “No, she doesn’t.”

“But you do.”

“I… Look, I know you want us to get along.”

“I do, but I also know David can be an acquired taste. Of course, he would say the same thing about me.”

“Seriously? I wanted you from the moment I saw you.”

Jeremy grinned. “Are you trying to tempt me to cut the evening short?”

I leaned in and kissed Jeremy’s neck. “Is it working? I can try a lot harder. I’m not sure they really need dessert.”

Jeremy laughed and picked up the platter of treats. “Come on. We’ll have plenty of time for you to use your seductive skills on me after Sabrina and David leave.”

I grabbed the dessert plates and followed Jeremy into the dining room. Sabrina and David had their heads together, and David sounded like he was trying to suppress his obnoxious laugh. I wasn’t going to let myself wonder if they were talking about me.

Sabrina looked up. “Oooh. Did you bring mini cannoli?”

“Of course.” To David and Jeremy, I said, “Sabrina introduced me to Mountain Sweets right after I moved here. She’s a bit of an addict.”

She smirked at me. “And now you are too.”

I was. At least I had to drive across town to get their pastries and eating them was an incentive to keep up my workouts.

David grabbed a bite-sized cupcake as soon as I set the plate down. “Damn this is incredible,” he said.

Sabrina beamed at him. “Another addict in the making.”

"Yes, I could easily get addicted to this.” The way David was looking at Sabrina as he spoke, I wasn’t sure he was talking about dessert.

Sabrina finally tore her gaze from David and looked across the table at Jeremy and me. “David was just telling me he has extra tickets to South Pacific at the Civic Center next week. It’s my favorite musical. I think we should all go.”

I shook my head. “I don’t do musicals.”

“You didn’t think you did Shakespeare until you went with Jeremy.” Sabrina gave Jeremy a pointed look.

Of course, Jeremy took the bait. “Have you ever seen South Pacific ? You might enjoy it more than you think.”

My heart pounded. I’d watch a hundred musicals at home with Jeremy if it was important to him. But to go see one at the Civic Center, as a date…

Groups of friends go to performances all the time.

But that’s dishonest. I can’t make Jeremy pretend in public like that.

Never fazed you in the Marines. You’d jerk off with a guy then act like you’d never met him an hour later.