Page 10 of The Bro Date (Best Bros Forever #2)

CHAPTER EIGHT

SHANE

I t’s Monday night, and I’ve got thirty minutes left on my shift at The Sandbar.

I’m painstakingly counting down the minutes until I can clock out and check my phone.

After seeing Toby on a date and overhearing him giggling in his bedroom, I started opening the Find My Friends app way more often than I ever have.

Even though we gave each other access years ago, I realize I’m invading his privacy by doing this.

But I can’t seem to care because I have to keep him safe.

“Hey, sweetie,” Ms. Harriet says in greeting as she pulls a hairnet over her silver curls. “How you doin’ tonight?” Her thick, southern drawl is always so sincere.

“Doing well, and you?” I ask my favorite coworker, happy to see her.

Ms. Harriet smiles. “Always so well-mannered you are, Shane. I’m doin’ great. My arthritis is behaving, so that means this grandma can cook!”

I smile, glancing back at the flat top so I don’t burn the chicken breasts. “Glad to hear it.”

“Well, go ahead and clock out early if you want to. You’re a good-looking boy, I’m sure you’ve got all sorts of girls lined up and waitin’ on ya. We’re slow enough, so if the bossman’s got a problem with it, he can take it up with me.” She winks, holding up two wrinkled fists.

“Ms. Harriet, you're a lifesaver.” I hug her very gently, and she chuckles heartily, shooing me out of the kitchen. I grab my stuff, sneaking out the back and down the alleyway.

As soon as I climb into my truck, I immediately open what’s become my personal stalking app and feel a jolt of panic when I see that Toby isn’t at the house.

I zoom in closer, realizing he’s at the movie theater.

Fuck. He’s probably on another date, and that bothers me more than I’m willing to admit to myself.

It doesn’t take me long to get to the theater when I hit every green light along the way as if the universe itself is urging me there.

Monday nights are usually slow, so I walk right up to the ticket booth. “You seen this guy?” I ask, pressing my phone to the plexiglass window and showing the dude working there a photo of Toby.

“Why? You a cop or something?” he asks skeptically.

I slip him a twenty through the window. “Nah. Just looking for my friend.”

The kid seems unsure, but pockets the money anyway and sells me a ticket to some rom-com I’ve never heard of, informing me it started close to an hour ago.

I sneak into the dark movie theater with my hood pulled up, hunching over to hide my tall frame.

Picking a spot at the very back, I sit right under the projector, front and center with a bird’s-eye view.

I scan the half-full theater, searching for Toby’s curly head and finding him a few rows down on the left, holding hands and sharing popcorn with a different guy than the one from the coffee shop.

My gaze narrows, and I grip the armrests like I’m about to Hulk out and rip them off.

I don’t like this.

At all.

Seeing Toby hang out with strange men doesn’t feel right. In fact, it feels downright shitty. He should be spending that time with me. If I knew he wanted to go to a rom-com, I would have taken him myself.

I alternate between staring at the back of his date’s head and whatever the hell is happening on the big screen.

After a long day of classes and then work, I start to doze off.

My head nods, and I jolt awake, blinking rapidly while I attempt to refocus on my target.

The guy has his arm around Toby now, rubbing his bare skin back and forth.

I fight the urge to catapult down there, pry his grimy fingers off my best friend, and bend them backward until he screams for mercy.

I don’t know how much more time passes before the movie ends, but if my eyes had lasers, this fucker would have a hole through his skull.

The credits finally roll, and I slouch down in my seat, waiting for the theater to clear before I sneak out after everyone.

Under no circumstances can Toby see me here. He just wouldn’t understand.

I’m not stalking him.

I’m protecting him.

When I step outside, I immediately spot them and dart behind a freestanding movie poster, crouching down to pretend like I’m tying my shoe.

Shit.

They’re right fucking there.

“I had fun tonight,” Toby says so sweetly that my stomach aches.

I peek around the sign, unable to stop myself from looking. Toby smiles up at his date, who’s nearly as tall as me, with a buzz cut, ice blue eyes, and some lame-ass fraternity hoodie.

He doesn’t deserve Toby’s smile.

The fucker leans in, caressing Toby’s jaw and puckering his lips. I grip the edge of the metal frame, trying to stop myself from jumping up and karate kicking him in the face.

He certainly doesn’t deserve Toby’s kiss.

Thankfully, Toby dodges the unwanted advance, stepping back a clear three feet. “I don’t kiss on the first date, Tristan,” he says matter-of-factly with more respect than this asshole deserves. “I told you that.”

“Are you serious right now?” Tristan scoffs. “Whatever. I’m not wasting any more of my time with a virgin . I’m only here to fuck, and if that’s not gonna happen, then you can walk home.”

My jaw clenches painfully as I watch Toby sputter, standing there in complete shock while his date stomps off to the parking lot.

Blowing my cover in an instant, I jump out from behind the movie poster like a real-life superhero to confront this asshole who thinks he can talk to my best friend like that and just abandon him on the street.

“Hey fuckboy!” I yell at his retreating back, smirking when he responds to the name by stopping and turning around. “If I ever see you around campus, you better fucking run .”

“And who the hell are you?” he asks, glancing between me and Toby with a creased brow.

“I’m the guy who’s gonna kick your ass and drive your date home, you piece of shit,” I growl.

“ Whatever. I don’t need this,” he sneers, power walking the rest of the way to his car and peeling out of the parking lot like the pathetic loser he is.

During the confrontation with Tristan, Toby wandered away and started walking down the sidewalk, like he’s on autopilot.

I rush to my truck, slowly rolling up next to him and cranking the window down. “Hey, stranger. Need a ride?” I joke, leaning an elbow out of the open window. I’m trying to make light of a shitty situation that could have ended way worse.

“What are you doing here, Shane?” Toby asks skeptically, his big, watery eyes staring up at me. “Did you stalk me?”

“I . . . No. ’Course not.”

Fuck, that’s a lie. An absolute lie.

“I mean, technically , maybe a little.”

Toby huffs, folding his arms across his chest. “I didn’t need your bodyguard services tonight, Shane. Thank you very much.”

“Actually, you did,” I counter, leaning over to unlatch the door for him and pushing it open. “Now, get in.”

“No.” He turns away and starts walking down the sidewalk again.

I ease my foot off the break, rolling next to him like I have all the time in the world. My tires slowly crunch over the sandy asphalt. “You’re not walking home. Get in, ” I repeat with more force.

“Stop following me!” he yells, and I glance around, making sure no one’s going to call the cops on us.

“Now is not the time to be stubborn,” I growl. “Please. Just get in the truck, Tobes. You know I can’t leave you here.”

“ Ugh! Fine! I don’t feel like walking five miles home anyway,” he concedes before climbing into the passenger seat, buckling himself in, and crossing his arms with a pout.

We drive in silence for a while, neither of us knowing what to say. I don’t ask him what happened, since I clearly witnessed it for myself, and I’m not sure what to say to soften the blow. But I need to cheer him up.

A little shop with a giant, lit-up ice cream cone and a blue and white striped awning grabs my attention, sparking an idea that might put a smile on his face.

“I’m in the mood for ice cream. Want some?” I ask casually, pulling into Coastal Creamery, known for its elaborate milkshake concoctions. “My treat.”

Some of Toby’s light sparks back to life, and he perks up a little. “Hell yeah.”

We step inside and seat ourselves according to the sign.

It’s decorated like a nineteen-fifties soda shop, with black and white checkered floors, a long counter, and cozy booths along the windows.

I choose a secluded booth in the corner, and we quietly browse the selection of over-the-top milkshakes.

Soon, a girl around our age comes over with a bright, welcoming smile. “Hey, guys! I’m Hailey, and I’ll be taking care of y’all tonight. What can I get for ya, or do you need another minute?”

“You ready?” I murmur, and Toby nods.

“I’ll get the Candy Crusher, please,” he says with a small grin, knowing his milkshake is going to be piled high with peanut butter cups, mini chocolate bars, and sour gummy worms.

“And for you?” Hailey asks, winking at me.

I ignore her flirtation, never having been interested in dating, just the occasional hookup with a tourist I’ll never see again. “Double Cookie Crunch.”

“Mmm,” she hums. “Good choice. That one’s my favorite.”

I nod politely. “Cool.”

Hailey beams at my one-word answer. “Be right back.” She spins on her heel, darting into the kitchen.

Toby is staring out of the window, completely zoning out and likely replaying his horrible date over and over in his head, overthinking like always.

I can’t confront him as if he’s done something wrong, but I just wish he would talk to me.

I want him to choose to open up.

Everything he’s going through can’t be easy, and all I want to do is be there for him like he’s been there for me my whole life.

I stare at my empty lunch tray as if it will spontaneously regenerate more food like one of the cool science fiction books Mom got me from the free book drive. Ms. Patricia, my favorite lunch lady, retired last week, so I’m back to one scoop of mashed potatoes and no dessert.

A shiny red apple suddenly appears on my tray, and I blink at it, confused as to whether my mind is playing tricks on me or not. A chocolate chip cookie appears next, along with a small hand darting away.

I peer at my new friend, wondering why he’s sharing his food with me.

“Wanna try my turkey wrap?” he asks with a genuine smile I’m unfamiliar with.

Mom and I moved here last year from New Jersey, and I haven’t made a single friend until now.

I cut school a lot when we first got here, ‘acting out after my parents’ divorce,’ as my guidance counselor declared in my school records.

The transition wasn’t easy for me, I’ll admit, but it’s still better than listening to constant arguing and having to stay up all night in case I needed to protect my mom.

My dad is a drunk, and I hope I never see him again.

I had to repeat fifth grade again this year, but at least all the kids leave me alone since I’m bigger and older than them now.

Toby hands me half of his wrap, and I take it, biting into what tastes like Thanksgiving Day turkey.

“Thank you,” I mumble around a mouthful.

“You’re welcome! I can bring more food tomorrow.”

I stare at him, never having met someone so kind and generous. Money has been tight for Mom since she left my dad, and I’m not old enough to get a job yet. Free lunch only fills me up so much, so I won’t say no to the offer.

“Oh! I could ask my mom if you can come over after school on Friday and have dinner with us?” Uncertainty creeps into his expression. “If you want . . .”

I’m not great at talking to grown-ups, but I’ll do it for a chance to hang out with Toby and eat some good food.

Although I have learned to make a pretty tasty bowl of ramen.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask, completely unaccustomed to it. I only met him a week ago.

“Because we’re friends, silly, and that’s what friends do. They help each other out.” His teeth sparkle, and his dimples pop out again.

He looks so much younger than me when he smiles like that.

From here on out, I vow to always protect him and always be his friend.

No one’s going to hurt Toby as long as I’m around.

“Here ya go!” Hailey exclaims, carefully setting our giant milkshakes in front of us.

“Whoa,” Toby whispers in awe. “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”

“Well, we just opened last summer, so we haven’t even been here a year,” Hailey informs us. “Enjoy!” She disappears again, and we both stare at our desserts for a moment, unsure where to start.

Toby picks off a peanut butter cup and dips it into the whipped cream, pulling a gummy worm out next.

I take a spoon and scoop up a chunk of cookie dough ice cream, then dip it in the whipped cream and cookie crumble on top, holding it out for Toby. “Wanna try mine?” I offer him the first bite before I destroy it.

Toby nods, pushing his milkshake to the side and leaning forward. My gaze automatically zeroes in on his mouth. His soft pink lips part slowly, his tongue poking out as he takes the spoon into his mouth. He sucks on it, and I pull it out clean.

“Mmm,” he moans, closing his eyes and making me swallow roughly.

Shit.

What the fuck was that?

I shouldn’t be turned on by my best friend eating a bite of ice cream.

“Try mine,” Toby insists with an innocent smile, completely unaware of my thoughts. He pushes his Mason jar across the table, and I scoop out a spoonful of rainbow ice cream. “Make sure you get a gummy worm,” Toby insists, and my lip quirks.

His shake isn’t bad, but I definitely prefer something with chocolate.

We continue to enjoy our desserts in a comfortable silence.

“You’ve got some whipped cream right there . . .” Toby says, tapping his bottom lip.

I wipe the corner of my mouth, but Toby laughs and shakes his head. “Let me help you.” He reaches out and swipes at my bottom lip with his thumb, tugging on the sensitive flesh. “There. All gone.”

My gaze once again zeroes in on his plush mouth before I shake my head, snapping out of it. “Thanks,” I mumble, continuing to suck down my half-melted milkshake, hoping I don’t give myself a brain freeze.

We finish our shakes, and I throw some cash down on the table, not wanting to wait for change and further engage with Hailey. “Ready to go home?” I ask my best friend, hoping I helped him forget about his shitty date. Even just a little.

“Yeah. Let’s go,” he replies with a small smile.

I hold the door open, and he slips past, stopping me before we step off the sidewalk. “Thank you for tonight,” he murmurs, resting his hand on my chest and sending goosebumps sprawling across my skin. “Seriously.”

So many unspoken emotions pass between us, threatening to knock me off my axis. With an understanding nod, I place my palm on the small of his back, guiding him to the safety of my truck.