Page 11 of The Bro Date (Best Bros Forever #2)

CHAPTER NINE

TOBY

“ W e’re doing this tonight, honey,” Tate says, flipping through my closet, looking for something to wear out. “I won’t hear another peep about it.”

After I got dumped on the curb by my last date, Tate decided to cheer me up by forcing me into another new experience.

A gay bar.

“You’ve got nothing suitable,” Tate declares, pulling out a bulging tote bag that I didn’t even notice he brought. “Good thing I came prepared!”

Tate starts pulling out all sorts of shiny shorts and leather harnesses that I would have no idea how to put on. “Uh . . . I’m not sure about this part, Tate. Can’t I just wear a button-down?”

Tate throws his head back, barking out a loud laugh, and I scowl at him.

“Oh, honey. Just think of it as another round of tryouts for Team Dick. Now, put this on.” Tate tosses me a pair of leather shorts, a tiny black thong, and a harness, nearly smacking me in the eye with a buckle.

“Before you make a fuss, the underwear is new, and I washed it for you.”

“Tate . . . I don’t know about this,” I say, holding up the scrap of fabric with my index finger.

“Yeah, because you never know until you try, Toby boy,” he retorts.

“Okay, but I’m not going to start wearing lingerie every day.” I gather the tiny pile of clothing and hold it to my chest.

“Oh, honey. That is not lingerie. That’s just underwear. When you’re ready for that round of tryouts, you let me know. I’ll show you leather and lace that’ll make you blush for a week straight.”

As if on cue, I feel my cheeks heat, making Tate chuckle and shake his head. “So innocent. So sweet,” he murmurs.

Ignoring his teasing, I turn my back so he can’t see the radioactive color of my face. “I’m gonna change in the bathroom,” I mumble, peeking my head out of the bedroom door and peering side to side.

Coast is clear.

Sneaking down the hall to the shared bathroom, I lock myself inside and undress, slipping the thong on and adjusting my package in it. The fabric is soft and silky against my junk, and I stare at myself in the mirror for a moment before turning and looking over my shoulder.

My ass looks phenomenal.

Maybe Tate’s on to something.

I step into the shorts next, and they hug my hips just right. But there are too many straps and buckles on this harness-thing, and I give up after a couple of minutes trying. Guess I’m going to need Tate’s help on this one.

I scurry down the hallway, quickly knocking on my bedroom door and waiting for Tate to open it, just in case he’s naked. My head is on a swivel, paranoid that someone’s going to suddenly pop out and see me.

The door swings open, and Tate is standing there in metallic silver shorts and a black patent leather harness that’s way more elaborate than mine. He pulls me in and shuts the door behind us. “Oh, honey. Let me help you.”

“Can’t I just wear something else?” I plead. “We don’t want to attract any creeps.”

“Speak for yourself,” Tate laughs, opening up the harness, guiding my arms through the correct holes, and securing it in the front.

“Now, there. Look at you,” Tate coos, “like a real gay. Mama is so proud.” He opens his arms, and I step into them, accepting his embrace while I roll my eyes.

“Last thing is black eyeliner and a little bronzer, then you’re ready to party! ”

Old Downtown is bustling tonight; the cobblestone streets are filled with locals and tourists alike. A hot pink neon sign lights up the front entrance of Stick Shift, the best gay bar in town, according to Tate.

The bouncer eyes us up and down, salivating like a snake ready to strike. I use the fake ID that Tate and Daija helped me get last year, and the creep easily lets us in without even paying the cover.

Half the bar turns to stare when we walk in, and with all these eyes on me, I instantly wish I had my bodyguard standing behind me. Tate and I are the same size, so if I’m a twink, then so is he.

And I think we may have just wandered into the lion’s den.

“Let’s go sit at the bar for a minute,” Tate suggests. “ And get a drink, ” he says way too loudly.

I frown at him, confused as to why he’s yelling until we sit at the bar, and two men sit down on either side of us.

Tate winks at me, and I have to fight a smile when they offer to buy us drinks.

We accept the screwdrivers and keep the conversation short because these guys are way too old for us.

After ten minutes of small talk, I make eye contact with Tate, pleading for him to get us out of here.

Luckily, the DJ decides to unknowingly help us out. “OHMYGOD!” Tate screams when a new song comes on. We look at each other and shout, “Pink Pony Club!” before chugging our drinks and using it as our getaway.

“Thanks for the drinks. It was nice to meet you,” I politely say to the two older men as Tate tugs me away to the dance floor. I ignore their frowns, because we don’t owe them anything for a five-dollar drink.

Tate and I jump and sing on the dance floor until we break a sweat, and the song changes to something a little more sexy.

“Turn around!” Tate shouts with a crooked smile.

His curly blond hair glistens under the flashing lights, and I can only imagine mine is doing the same.

He grabs my hips and spins me around, tugging my ass to his groin.

“Twerk on me, honey!” Tate and I let loose and grind on each other like no one’s watching, but I guess they are because guys start coming up to us.

We dance with a few of them before we meet two cute CBU boys in linen button-downs and cargo shorts, like they just came from a dinner cruise on the harbor. It’s actually kinda cute.

After rubbing my ass on the dude’s semi for three songs, I finally spin around and introduce myself. “Hey. I’m Toby, by the way.” My smile falters when I realize he looks familiar, with short brown hair and a diamond nose stud.

Oh my God. I think I saw him on Grindr.

Recognition flashes in his baby-blue eyes, and his smile widens. “Hey. I’m Landon, and this is my friend, Alex.”

His friend is pretty hot, with chin-length black hair and bright green eyes, but the way he’s staring at us is making me uneasy. Although Tate doesn’t seem to mind.

“Hey. I’m Tate,” he says, eyeing Alex up and down.

“Toby,” I add breathlessly, trying to fan myself with my hand. There are too many bodies jumping and grinding on each other out here, and the music is so loud we can hardly talk. I need a break.

“Wanna get out of here? It’s getting a little claustrophobic,” Landon says, noticing my discomfort.

I nod, needing some water or maybe another screwdriver.

Landon places his big, warm hand on the small of my back, leading me from the dance floor to the bar.

“Uh, uh, uh. Not without me!” Tate hollers, following us with Alex hot on his heels. “We’re a package deal tonight,” he says with a teasing giggle.

“Fuck. That is so hot!” Alex hollers behind us all, and I can practically feel his eyes roaming the back of my body and lingering on my ass.

We all sit at the bar, waiting for the bartender to make his way over. A giant glass mirror stocked with liquor bottles lines the wall behind the bar, giving me a front row view of just how drunk I am.

Flushed cheeks, messy curls, and a leather harness that looks like some sort of sex thing. I have to admit, now that the shock’s worn off, I feel pretty sexy.

“Are you on Grindr ? You look familiar,” Landon suddenly asks me, and I tear my gaze away from the mirror, blinking up at him.

I was hoping he wouldn’t ask me that.

“Oh. Uh. Yeah.”

“You guys ever message each other?” Alex inquires. “I’m sure Landon swiped right for you.” He eyes me up and down with his arm around Tate. “I know I would. You’re hot as fuck. Both of you.”

Yup. Just the creep Tate wanted.

Tate giggles, whispering something into Alex’s ear that I definitely don’t want to hear, judging by the hungry look on his face.

“Pretty sure I swiped left,” I blurt the truth, making Landon scowl when Tate and Alex burst out laughing.

Oops.

“Sorry!” I shrug, turning my back on them to face Landon. “Does it really matter now that we’re here having fun?”

“No, guess not. So, does that mean I can get your number?”

Dating apps haven’t really worked out for me, and I’m having a great time tonight, so I figure there’s really no harm. And I also have a really hard time telling people no.

“Sure. Yeah. Okay,” I say with a small smile, taking his phone and adding myself to the contacts.

Landon wraps his arm around me when the hot, surfer-looking bartender with long blond hair comes over, ordering for me without asking. “A screwdriver for my friend. Make it a double.”

“Actually, can I get water instead?” I whisper into his ear. I should probably pace myself.

“Oh, shoot, the bartender just left, and I already ordered you a double. Tell you what. Next round we’ll do water, yeah?” Landon ducks his head, giving me a wink that makes me a little uneasy.

“What about you?” I ask.

He holds up a nearly empty glass of clear liquid and ice. “Still sippin’,” he says with a big white smile.

I glance over at my friend having a great time doing shots with Alex, and I don’t want to ruin his night, so the moment the bartender sets my drink down, I grab it and chug half the thing. Time to let loose and stop worrying so much.

“Fuck yeah! Chug! Chug! Chug! ” Alex shouts, but I set my glass down before I throw up all over the bar top.

By the next round, I’m no longer thirsty for water, so Landon buys me another drink. This time, a vodka cranberry, but I still don’t see him order one for himself.

Oh well. I’m too drunk to care anymore.

As soon as my drink is gone, Tate grabs my hand, hauling me off to the dance floor with Landon and Alex hot on our heels.

“Shake what ya mama gave you!” Tate shouts before dropping it low and twerking.

“My mother would have a heart attack if she knew she gave me any of this!” I laugh before joining him in shaking my ass.

After another song, Tate wiggles his phone back and forth in front of my face. “Story tiiime!” he singsongs, drawing the word out. “Before we get all sweaty and gross.”

“I'll show you sweaty and gross,” Alex growls like the creep he seems to be.

Tate throws his head back, laughing obnoxiously. “You wish, baby.” Alex scowls at that, but Tate ignores him, talking to me instead. “Put on a show for the camera, honey.”

I’m drunk enough to listen, putting on a pretend strip tease even though I’ve got nothing to take off.

“So hot! You’re going to have all the straight boys on my Insta jerking off tonight!”

Tate and I laugh loudly, but Landon does not look happy.

Whatever. We just met.

“Your turn!” I hold my hand out and Tate passes me his phone, so I can record him shaking his ass.

He takes things further than me, wiggling his thumbs into the sides of his shorts and tugging them down to show his thong and the swell of his ass.

I giggle, too drunk to stop him, and instead switch to Live. “Let’s see that sexy ass!” I holler, encouraging him when I probably shouldn’t.

“Alright. Alright. That’s enough,” Alex says, attempting to pull my friend off the dance floor when he clearly doesn’t want to.

“Shots, anyone?!” Landon shouts before walking off and whispering something to the hot surfer guy behind the bar.

“ Woohoo! Shots!” Tate shouts, tugging up his shorts and grabbing my hand, pulling me back over to the bar.

The bartender brings out a tray of shots, and Landon hands each one out specifically. Not thinking anything of it, I toast to new friends and new experiences. At least, I do in my head.

“Cheers!” I shout, and all four of us clink our shot glasses together before tipping them back.