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THREE

MICKEY

I failed miserably at trying not to look too excited when Garth followed me out of the bathroom clutching the paint palette for modesty. He hadn’t ditched me after all.

A hookup hadn’t been on my mind at all, that was, until I’d met Garth.

Usually I avoided them in town because I knew way too many people, but since Garth was just visiting, maybe we could have a little fun tonight.

I hadn’t had sex since Brandon dumped me, and I wanted a new taste in my mouth.

Figuratively and literally. I bet Garth tasted delicious.

“Wait here, and I’ll go find someone and ask if we can borrow their office.” I gave Garth an encouraging smile as he clutched my paint palette for modesty in the hallway near the restroom.

“You need the office?” There was a playful tone in Rory’s voice as he approached carrying a crate of clean glasses.

“Rory! Hey. We’ve got a costume issue. Mind if I poke around your office for tape or a stapler or something?”

Rory’s eyebrows climbed as he took in Garth’s jeans situation. “Sure. All yours. Should be some duct tape in there.”

“Thanks so much. Great band tonight.”

“Glad you like it. Have fun.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

I could’ve sworn I heard his laughter over the music as I led Garth down the hallway toward the office and break room.

After opening the office door, I flipped on the light and squinted at the brightness compared to the softer lighting elsewhere in the pub. The office was small and tidy.

As I turned toward Garth, I sucked in a breath. His pale-blue eyes were more piercing in this light and his tempting smile pulled me in. I couldn’t shake the familiar feeling about him, but with the black-rimmed glasses, mullet wig, and pale skin, he resembled a number of guys I knew in town.

Before getting distracted by his appearance, I moved toward the desk. “I’ll find something.” While pulling open a desk drawer, I felt his body heat behind me.

“You were bummed when you thought I left, huh?” Garth smiled coyly, which was surprisingly hot given the mullet.

I grinned. “Mildly.”

Garth clutched his chest. “My wounded pride.”

“I have a feeling your pride is pretty resilient.”

“You’re not wrong.” He leaned against the desk.

“Duct tape or staples?” I held up one option in each hand.

“Tape. I don’t trust the staples to hold the fabric without maiming me.”

“Good call.” I moved in front of Garth and dropped to my knees.

He sucked in a breath while staring down at me with his enchanting eyes. I got a fresh hit of his alpine-scented body wash and natural musk.

“Pretty sure I’ve seen something like this at the start of a porn.”

“The seventies hair or tape bondage?”

Garth’s smile grew. “Both.”

“Kinky.” I grinned up at him. “Don’t tell me you have a Bigfoot fetish.”

While pulling the detached denim up his leg, my fingertips brushed across his thigh, leaving a path of goose bumps in their wake. His leg hair was pale like his eyebrows, so he must have light-colored natural hair. I was so curious to see what he looked like without the costume.

He cleared his throat. “Rest assured, my cryptid interests are decidedly nonsexual.”

“Good to know.” My willpower cracked and I allowed myself a full look at his exposed underwear. I couldn’t see the entire front, but I saw enough to fill in the gaps like a Wheel of Fortune puzzle. “ Eat me , Daddy ? Interesting underwear choice.”

He groaned. “I need to do laundry.”

Not sure I would’ve packed something like that as backup underwear while traveling, but maybe they were his version of a chastity belt.

One of my closest female friends in college used to tell me she’d wear her “granny panties” or not shave her legs before going out to make sure she didn’t go home with anyone.

“What’s the back look like?” I’d meant it as a genuine question because I was curious, but Garth’s smirk made me realize how flirty it had sounded.

I could flirt, but it was usually in response to being flirted with.

My nature wasn’t the most outgoing. When I’d decided to try talking to Garth while getting a pitcher of beer, I’d come up with that ridiculous comment about pralines and dick in hopes I could talk to him long enough for Brandon to see how over him I was.

Funnily enough, I hadn’t thought of Brandon again after that, until now, and flirting with Garth came easy.

Somehow, he responded to my goofy references.

“Want to see?” He waggled his eyebrows before his smile shifted into something more self-deprecating. “That’s why I didn’t leave the stall. It’s a thong. Well, more like rainbow floss.”

It was a shame that the tearing hadn’t exposed more of the back of him.

“So”—I cleared my throat—“Not your usual style?”

Garth snorted. “Hardly. I’m not a fan of the constant-wedgie sensation.”

“Don’t blame you there.” I gave his thigh a squeeze and stood. I was close enough to feel his exhales dance across my face. Garth was a bit shorter than me and had a leaner frame. My attention dropped to his lips and his tongue darted out to wet them.

I was out with my friends and in another friend’s office.

The last thing I should be thinking about was how much I enjoyed being on my knees and wishing I hadn’t taped his pants together quite so well before I had an opportunity to get in them.

Then again, my friends would be thrilled if I had a little fun.

Garth glanced at my mouth before closing the distance between us.

He cupped the back of my head and crashed his lips against mine in a hungry kiss.

Oh hell yes . My heart thundered as I gripped his flannel, holding on while desire consumed me.

I hadn’t had a horny make-out session with someone I’d just met since college, and damn, it was so hot .

I pressed into him, needing more contact with his body. As our hands and tongues explored, he reached out and cupped my bulge, which was testing the limits of the tight denim.

“You just fixed my pants. Good thing yours aren’t taped up like a chastity belt.” Garth dropped to his knees, but with my tape job, it was slightly awkward and completely adorable. We both ignored the sound of ripping tape and fabric.

I grew even harder as he stared up at me. He could be anyone in that costume. The mystery was hotter than expected.

I slumped against the desk as he reached up to scratch at his wig, which he’d done a few times already. The thing looked about as cheap as mine and probably equally as uncomfortable.

“Unless you’ve got a Garth kink, I’ll take this off before I give you rug burn.”

My chuckle was breathy with anticipation.

“Can’t say I’ve had one. Until now, anyway.

” While he reached for it, I glanced at the office door to see if there was a lock.

Oh good, there was. I could dart over there to engage it before one of the owners or workers got an eyeful of something they didn’t need to see.

When I looked down to tell him, I froze.

He’d removed not only the wig but the glasses too.

My heart thudded for a far different reason than being on the verge of getting my dick sucked.

His hair was flatter and sweatier than I remembered, but the white-blond curls were unmistakable when paired with those unforgettable eyes.

Eyes and curls I’d had to admire from afar all through school.

“Amos Flynn?” My first thought was that he’d lied to me about visiting town, but then I remembered Amos hadn’t lived in Maplewood since he’d gone off to college.

We didn’t really know each other, but I sometimes felt like I did because people were always talking about them in Red’s.

Sparky and Red’s initial feud from nearly a century ago was still a part of our lives.

I wasn’t meant to actually know Amos, which sure as hell included knowing the feel of his mouth on my dick. No matter how badly I wanted it.

He jerked back. “Yeah?” His voice was guarded.

It took a couple of tries to find my voice. After taking a mental picture that I knew, against my better judgment, I’d return to again and again, I stepped to the side. How the hell did I get into this situation?

“Mickey Brewer.” I yanked off my wig.

Amos scrambled to his feet, which caused more tearing sounds. “Mickey? But you look so different. I guess I’m used to seeing you with long hair.”

“I cut it years ago and had surgery on my nose after breaking it in college.”

Amos ran his hand through his hair. “Oh. Wow.”

“Yeah.” I dropped my gaze to the floor.

“This is so awkward.”

I barked out a laugh. “You’re telling me.

Shit, we’re going to end up on Maplewood Matters tomorrow.

” I scrubbed my hand over my face. That was the last thing my dad needed.

The busybodies getting up in arms over his son fucking around with the son of the rival diner. But hey, maybe it would boost sales.

“What’s Maplewood Matters ? You referenced that before.”

“The local gossip blog. I swear they have a CCTV network in town. Or spies.”

“This place has changed.” He shook his head as he bent to retrieve his wig. “If you didn’t recognize me with this on, I’m sure others won’t either. My sibling never showed anyway.”

“That’s who you were waiting for? Sage?”

“Yeah.” Amos glanced toward the office door. “Is there a back exit I can sneak out of?”

My gut twisted, but I didn’t try to talk him out of it, which made me feel the size of a cockroach. I nodded and silently led him to it. After peeking out to make sure no one was paying attention, I exited. Amos followed me down the hallway to the back door.

Garth— Amos —paused at the threshold and turned back to me. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I get it.” He let out a hollow laugh. “Trust me, if anyone does, it’s me.”

I appreciated that more than Amos would know, but for some reason, that statement made me so damn sad.

“Thanks. Uh, it was good to see you…” I guess. Though I had a feeling this would haunt me for a long time. Of course the first guy to spark my interest so quickly was Amos Flynn of all people. The literal one queer guy off-limits.

Amos laughed. “Memorable, for sure. I’ll be thinking about it later.” He winked and started to walk away. “You grew up well, Brewer.” Amos disappeared into the night.

I’m so fucked . The quicker Amos left town, the better.