Page 6 of The Bro Date (Best Bros Forever #2)

CHAPTER FIVE

TOBY

I ’ve had heart palpitations all day, waiting to tell Shane I’m gay.

He probably thinks I’ve been acting erratic since I got back from Florida, and maybe I have been, because I feel so fucking unsettled.

I should have just blurted it out at breakfast, surrounded by a cafeteria full of people, because this is pure torture, and not the best idea for the first day back to school.

Despite the ache in my knee, I strap my violin case to my back and leisurely ride my bike to the lake in order to clear my head. I’m desperate for a reprieve from my thoughts, so I get there plenty early to practice my violin before Shane shows up.

Tonight is a really big deal for me. It’ll be the first time I say the words out loud to another person, and I can’t pretend I’m not a little scared.

Cypress trees surround the lake, beams of sunlight piercing through their tall, skinny trunks and casting a golden glow over everything. I wheel my bike off to the side of the trailhead and kick out the kickstand, following the path that leads from the parking lot to the sandy shoreline.

When I step out from the shaded trail, I smile at the sheer beauty of the sun setting over the water. Splashes of gold, pink, and magenta decorate the sky like a beautiful watercolor painting, creating the perfect backdrop to pour my heart out through my strings.

I make my way to the end of the small dock, setting my violin case on the wooden bench tucked against the railing.

Wind whistles in my ears, and a chill seeps through my hoodie, but I don’t let it stop me.

I lugged my violin all the way out here, so I need to get some practice in before Shane arrives.

The lake is one of the few places I can go without bothering anyone or anyone bothering me.

Music has always been my escape, ever since my parents forced me into piano lessons that I ended up loving, and even more so when I chose the violin in fifth-grade music class.

I pop open my case and carefully lift my pride and joy from its black velvet home. Tucking the chin rest under my chin, I allow my jaw to rest comfortably in the curved wood and assume proper posture. I warm up with some open string work, scales, and broken thirds before I jump into the fun part.

My bow glides against the strings like butter, and my body begins to move with the sounds of “Pink Pony Club,” completely forgetting the pain in my knee.

I give it everything I’ve got, releasing all of the anger and resentment building up toward my parents, and the fear of coming out.

I dance and play my violin until I’m panting and out of breath with a huge smile on my face.

Damn. I needed that.

By the time I play a few more of my favorite songs, evening has turned to night. The moon reflects against the still surface of the lake, shining brightly and illuminating the surrounding forest. It’s beautiful out here where the peace of nature brings a clarity my soul desperately needed.

Loud, slow claps startle me, and I nearly drop my bow into the water, spinning around to find Shane at the far end of the dock.

“ Shit! You scared me!” I shout, clutching my chest.

The wooden slats creak as Shane makes his way to my end of the dock. “That was amazing, Toby,” he says, standing in front of me with both hands in his pockets. “You were born to play. Don’t listen to your parents.”

“Thank you,” I murmur shyly, setting my violin in its case as the anxiety starts to return. The anticipation of finally coming out to Shane is terrifying me right now. My heart starts to pound against my ribcage as if I’m being chased by a wild animal.

What if he knows I’m in love with him?

And what if he hates me for it?

My mind starts to spiral, and my breathing picks up.

What if I lose him?

Oh God. I don’t know if I can do this right now.

“Toby, what’s going on? You can talk to me,” Shane urges, and my stomach fills with angry butterflies wanting to take flight. I need to tell him. I can’t keep putting it off. It’s not right to hide from the one person who’s always been there for me.

“I . . .”

Why am I so scared to say the words to him?

“You what, Tobes?” His brows crease with concern. The moon reflects in his dark eyes, sparkling with pure intensity and a deep compassion. A connection that I know could never be compromised.

With a deep breath and shaky exhale, I steel my resolve the best I can and speak my truth with my head held high. “I’m gay, Shane.”

His expression relaxes slightly, the tension in his shoulders softening, but he doesn’t move a muscle. My words hang in the air between us, the wind picking them up and carrying them away, leaving nothing behind but the sound of crickets chirping and gentle waves lapping against the pilings below.

“I like guys,” I explain as if he doesn’t know the meaning of the word. “And I’ve decided that I’m ready to explore that part of myself.” I quickly shut up before I start rambling about how gay I am.

Say something, Shane.

Please.

He takes a step toward me and holds his palm out with a small smile on his lips.

Relief washes over me, and I place my hand in his, electricity dancing along the surface of my skin where we touch.

“I’m happy for you, Toby. Really. This changes nothing between us,” he assures me, and his simple words relieve so much stress. “I hope you weren’t scared to tell me.”

A deep weight lifts off my shoulders, and I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and squeezing tightly. I resist the urge to wrap my legs around his waist, letting them dangle instead. “You’re the first person I’ve told,” I whisper into his ear. “I was scared in general.”

Shane returns my embrace before setting me back on my feet.

“Have you . . . are you dating anyone?” he asks, seeming a little unsure to do so.

This is unfamiliar territory. Neither of us has ever dated anyone, although I’ve heard rumors of Shane hooking up with tourists from time to time. We just never talk about it.

“Um . . .” I hesitate to answer even though he’s straight and shouldn’t care at all. “No, but I really want to.” I chuckle awkwardly at how pathetic that sounds before pressing my palms to my eyes and slightly dying inside.

Big, cold hands wrap around my wrists, gently pulling them away from my flushed face. “Don’t be embarrassed. You deserve to be happy, Tobes.” Shane pulls out a paper swan from his back pocket, presenting it to me on his palm. “Just please don’t get hurt, or I’m kicking someone’s ass. Got it?”

My heart skips a beat at his words, and I take the swan, smiling with fondness.

Shane has been into origami ever since we were kids.

It was something his therapist suggested that actually stuck with him.

I used to find them everywhere, and I mean everywhere .

On the playground, in my backpack, locker, and all around my room.

Sometimes the housekeeper accidentally washed them in my pants pockets.

But they’re much rarer these days.

“I’ll try not to,” I whisper, holding it gently while the urge to confess my love for him threatens to claw its way out of my throat.

A single raindrop lands on my wrist, thankfully interrupting the moment before I blow up our entire decade-long friendship.

“ Shit! My violin! ” I quickly slip the swan into my pocket and scramble to clasp my violin case securely.

I can’t have another disaster like I did in tenth grade when it popped open, and my violin crashed to the floor right before the end-of-year symphony.

I had to use an out-of-tune school rental while mine was in the shop, and it still haunts me to this day.

Shane ushers me toward his truck, opening the passenger side and getting me and my violin to safety before running back for my bike.

The rain is picking up, and his white T-shirt clings to his chest like a second skin.

Hard nipples peek through the sheer fabric, along with each and every ab in his six-pack.

I unabashedly stare while he wheels my bike over, turning around in my seat to watch as he lifts it into the bed of his truck.

Shane’s biceps bulge deliciously, but when I glance up, his smirk tells me I’ve been caught.

Shit.

I flush, spinning around in my seat and facing forward with wide eyes.

“ Damn! That rain is cold,” Shane exclaims, and my traitorous eyes dart to his nipples for a quick second, just begging to get caught again. “You hungry?” he asks, grabbing a hand towel from the backseat and rubbing it against his head, attempting to dry off the best he can.

“I could eat.” It’s been a while since dinner, and I worked up an appetite. Plus, I’ll never say no to more time with my best friend.

“There’s a new taco truck parked by the mall. I was gonna check it out if you don’t mind a little drive? The rain should stop by the time we get there.”

“I don’t mind,” I reply with a small smile, comfortably sinking into my seat as Shane turns the heat on low, making me feel cozy and warm and safe. “That sounds perfect.”

Tonight couldn’t have gone better, and ending it with tacos is just icing on the cake.