Page 7 of The Bro Date (Best Bros Forever #2)
CHAPTER SIX
TOBY
T he first week back at school flies by, but I've hardly seen Shane after coming out to him on the dock. Our only time together has been early morning cafeteria dates with rubbery eggs, soggy pancakes, and half-asleep conversations. I’m hoping we have an opportunity to hang out and talk more this weekend.
Since coming out to someone who cares about me wasn’t so hard after all, I decided to tell my other two best friends—Tate and Daija—conveniently leaving out the part where I’m in love with Shane.
I’m not sure how I feel about the fact that they weren’t surprised at all, Tate claiming he can recognize his own kind.
When I admitted that I wanted to start dating, they squealed in unison and demanded that I come over to their apartment to set up my profile. I need a good push, or I might just linger forever, waiting on Shane like a ghost with unfinished business.
Now it’s Friday afternoon, I’m done with classes for the week, and I’m at Tate and Daija’s place, spilling my freaking guts.
“Alright,” Tate exclaims, clapping his hands together in excitement.
His bleach-blond hair is even curlier than mine, with the bottom half shaved off and dark roots showing on top.
He’s definitely good-looking, but he’s like an older brother to me.
He’s family. They both are. Tate and Daija immediately took me under their wing as a freshman last year.
I was a scared baby bird without a mother , in their words, and they adopted me without question.
“Show me what we’re working with, honey. I’ve got a party to get to after this, and by party, I mean a confused straight boy wanting to experiment.” With an eye roll and finger quotes I could never pull off, Tate blows a bubble with his gum and pops it before chewing aggressively.
I can’t help the blush that fills my cheeks. “ Experiment ?” I ask, knowing my friends won’t judge me for being curious.
“Oh, yes, dear Toby boy. Experimenting with dick ,” Tate exclaims with a high-pitched cackle, like he’s excited for what’s in my future.
“Tate!” Daija admonishes. “Don’t scare our baby boy away from team tryouts. You know I want him on our side.”
“Tryouts?” I feel lost. So completely lost.
“Yes!” Daija shouts excitedly. “For Team Dick!”
They both burst out laughing, and my face heats even more.
“Okay, okay,” Tate says, wiping his tears away. “Back to business. Grindr. What have you got so far?”
“I . . . um . . . I haven’t even set up my profile,” I admit sheepishly.
“ Oh my God! This is going to be so fun!” Daija exclaims with the sort of excitement that scares me a little.
Getting situated on her bed, she leans against the headboard comfortably and drapes a turquoise blanket over her lap.
She rips open a shareable-size bag of candy, smiling in anticipation.
“Skittles, anyone?” she asks innocently, pouring some into her palm.
Daija is beautiful inside and out. Her makeup is perfectly applied after a long day of classes, including her lip gloss, and her long box braids are flawlessly twisted into a bun on top of her head.
Most of the guys on campus would kill for the chance to spend a Friday night with her. Especially Jake.
I smile, sitting next to her and accepting a handful of colorful candies that I immediately pop into my mouth.
“Come on, tater tot,” she coos at Tate, patting the bed on her other side.
With a half-smile and full eye roll, Tate crawls to his spot on the other side of Daija.
“So, Toby, I have to ask. Does Shane know you’re doing this?” Tate suddenly asks, catching me off guard.
“Uh . . .”
My lack of an answer tells him enough, and they both erupt into a fit of giggles.
“Oh boy, you’re gonna be in trouuuble,” Tate singsongs.
“ What? ” I gasp, my brows creasing with worry.
“Like, big trouble.”
“Oh, stop. Don’t listen to him, Tobes. All he means is that Shane cares about you, and it’s no secret that he’s super protective of you,” Daija explains with a soft expression.
My stomach does a backflip at her words, knowing it’s true, but still feeling the flutter deep down.
“It’ll be okay, babe. You like guys, and he’ll just have to learn to deal with it and share you. Now , hand it over,” Daija says with a stern smile, holding her palm out and wiggling her long, pointed nails. “Let’s get this party started.”
I reluctantly place my phone in her hand, and she starts tapping away, setting up my new profile.
On a gay dating app.
I almost can’t believe it’s happening.
“Girl, I don’t know how you do that so fast with those talons,” Tate chuckles.
“Oh, shut it. You’re just jealous,” she snaps back at her best friend.
“Yeah, bitch. I am,” Tate laughs. “They’re fab.”
Daija smiles wide and kisses the air. “Thanks, babe. Now, let’s focus. We’ve got a profile to slay, starting with the perfect pic.”
She goes to my camera roll and begins scrolling through my photos, finding one of me on the beach in Key West that Gran took. I’m smiling in my short, flowered trunks, showing off my lean body while looking completely happy and carefree. I like it.
“Oh, yeah. The gays are going to drool all over you,” Tate declares with glee. “You’re a twink, honey.”
“Mhm,” Daija agrees, “and we haven’t even gotten to his bio yet.”
“They’re gonna eat him alive,” Tate says with an evil chuckle, like I’m not even here.
I swallow hard and bite my lip while my two best friends cackle like criminal freaking masterminds. I’m not sure if I should be terrified or excited for what’s to come.
Well, it didn’t take long for Grindr to work. It’s Saturday, and I have a coffee date this afternoon. My first ever date with a guy.
I was flooded with messages as soon as my profile went public last night, and I honestly had no idea there were so many local guys that were . . . well , into guys.
Andy, my date, goes to Crescent Bay University, too. He’s a junior in Communications, but I’ve never seen him around before. When he messaged me the name of the coffee shop, I almost made up an excuse to bail when I realized that it’s right across the street from The Salty Sandbar.
Shane reacted better than I could ever have imagined when I told him I’m gay, but that still doesn’t mean I want him to see me flirting with a guy. But I also don’t want Andy to think I’m some picky, whiny bitch, so I can’t ask him to change the spot either.
I mean, Shane’s always in the kitchen, so I’m sure he’ll never see me anyway.
Ignoring the doubt in my gut, I quickly text Andy back, agreeing on the time and place. Excited butterflies swarm my belly even though I feel like I might throw up, too.
I need to choose an outfit that isn’t screaming “desperate and trying too hard.” My closet is pretty tiny, so I couldn’t even bring a quarter of my wardrobe from home. And now, the other three-fourths are under lock and key, where I no longer feel welcome.
I decide on a soft cream T-shirt with my favorite light-wash baggy jeans. Comfortable yet trendy, I know Tate and Daija would approve. With a confident smile that I try so hard to fully embrace, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth for the third and final time.
Guess I’m ready.
Squeezing the banister in a death grip, I descend the stairs very, very carefully .
My knee is feeling a lot better thanks to Shane’s strict icing schedule, but I’d prefer not to fall down steps again.
I slip into my white sneakers lying haphazardly by the front door and lock up, jiggling the handle to make sure.
The fully loaded Audi Q3 my parents bought me for high school graduation two years ago is parked in the driveway waiting for me, but as I slip into the driver’s seat, I find myself wishing I was curled up in the passenger seat of Shane’s beat-up old pickup instead. Where I feel safe.
A sudden surge of nervousness wells up, making me pause.
Why does it feel so surreal to go on a date, and why is my heart galloping uncomfortably?
Something deep down screams Shane’s name, but I ignore it, locking away those painful, unrequited feelings. He doesn’t like boys. I need to move on.
I snap myself out of it, taking a deep, calming breath and starting the engine.
A text pops up from Daija before I leave, wishing me luck and reminding me to send my location, so they can make sure I don’t get kidnapped.
The reassurance is perfectly timed, and I smile, doing as told before backing out of the driveway and heading to the coffee shop.
Time for my first date with a guy.