Page 8 of The Bro Date (Best Bros Forever #2)

CHAPTER SEVEN

SHANE

“ H ey, you know I’m not a gossip, right?” Jaycee whispers, and I immediately sigh, not wanting to chitchat with anyone while I’m working, even though she’s always been nice to me.

“Yeah . . .” Never really thought about it. I wish she would just tell me whatever it is she wants to tell me.

“Well, I’m pretty sure I just saw your friend Toby walk into the coffee shop across the street with a guy I’ve never seen before. A pretty hot guy, actually.”

“What?” I ask, not truly processing her words as I flip a burger and shake the fries so they don’t burn.

“They just sat at a small table in front of the window,” Jaycee says like she’s announcing a sports game and giving me a play-by-play. “He just reached out and tugged on one of Toby’s curls. Now he’s holding his hand out on the table, waiting. Oh. Oh! ”

“What?!” I repeat a little louder and a lot ruder. My heart drops into my stomach, and I nearly splash grease on my bare skin.

When Toby came out to me the other night, I can’t say I was completely surprised by the news.

Growing up, there were some signs, and the fact that he never dated girls or even talked about them was one.

I’m just glad he feels comfortable and safe enough with me to share that part of himself now.

But I am a little worried about him dating.

Toby is an extremely attractive person. I’m secure enough in myself to admit that.

But he’s also way too trusting, a little naive, and extremely new to the whole gay scene.

And I know for a fact that he’s a virgin.

A more intense urge to protect Toby flares to life inside me. Something . . . Primal.

“Sorry, babe. They’re holding hands. Looks like your boy’s on a date . . .” Jaycee says.

“Cover for me?” I rip off my apron, not giving a shit if I get in trouble or even fired. I will never let some douchebag take advantage of Toby.

Ever.

“I can’t cook!” Jaycee cries, but I ignore her and rush out the back door so no one sees me.

I sneak down the tiny alleyway between the café and the clothing boutique next door, squatting behind the dumpster and peering around. I’m fully aware of the creep I’ve just become, and there’s no going back now.

I watch Toby while he sits across from a guy with gold-framed glasses, neatly cut brown hair, and a way-too-tight baby-pink polo.

Toby smiles wide, his dimples popping before he takes a sip of what looks like a cappuccino.

He’s raptly listening to something the other guy is telling him, using a lot of exaggerated hand gestures.

Toby suddenly tips his head back, laughing enthusiastically.

His curls bounce, and the other man’s face lights up in accomplishment.

Unfamiliar jealousy roars to life in the pit of my stomach, and I look away, clenching my fists as I stare at the dirty pavement.

The door to the kitchen suddenly flies open, banging against the brick exterior and making me jump. Raúl steps out, sneering in my direction. “What the fuck are you doing out here?”

“Fresh air,” I deadpan, refusing to let him fluster me.

“By the dumpster?” he retorts.

I just shrug.

“Crazy kid. Got a few screws loose,” he mumbles under his breath.

I ignore his insults because if I don’t, I’ll be going to jail for a very, very long time.

“Break’s over. Get back to work before Jaycee burns my kitchen down,” Raúl demands, disappearing back inside.

I glance at Toby and his date one last time, weighing my options as the guy brushes Toby’s hair off his forehead, most likely making him blush.

That should be me touching his curls and making his skin flush.

The thought hits me out of nowhere, putting me in a chokehold.

Fuck.

What?

I shake my head in confusion and retreat inside, leaving Toby to finish his date without me stalking him from a dark alley. I grab my apron and slip it back on, taking my position in front of the flat top and zoning out once again.

“You okay?” Jaycee asks, popping her head into the kitchen to check on me.

“Fine,” I grunt, not wanting to talk right now.

She frowns and disappears back into the busy dining area.

My mind is spinning. I can’t believe Toby’s on a date and didn’t tell me.

As soon as my shift ends, I check the Find My Friends app and sigh in relief when I zoom in and see that Toby is safe at home. I grab the rest of my stuff from my locker and rush out the door before Raúl can stop me.

The need to see Toby and make sure he’s okay overcomes me, so I slip into his dark bedroom unannounced. He’s been a vital part of my life for a decade, and as selfish as it sounds, I can’t lose him to some random guy. It would kill me.

“Shane?” Toby murmurs groggily. “Is that you?”

“Yeah. It’s me. Shh.”

“What’re you doing?”

“Just checking on you,” I whisper. “Go back to sleep.”

“Miss you,” he murmurs before his eyes flutter shut and a soft snore escapes him.

The hallway light gently illuminates his delicate features, my eyes roaming his peaceful, sleeping face. I brush the curls off his forehead, standing there watching him sleep for longer than I probably should.

Before I go, I set a white paper swan on his nightstand. I made it on my break after witnessing Toby’s first date. I’m not sure why it bothers me so much, and I’m not sure why I feel the need to make sure I’m not forgotten.

Sunday is my day to rest and reset, so I sleep in until eight-thirty, lounging in bed for another hour before I get up and take my time in the bathroom.

The kitchen is empty and quiet; everyone else is still in their rooms. The first thing I do is make a pot of coffee with the expensive coffee machine Toby’s parents bought him as a housewarming gift.

The rich, nutty aroma fills the kitchen and most likely drifts upstairs, waking my roommates so that I don’t have to.

I pour myself an oversized mug, adding a generous amount of hazelnut creamer to cool it down.

Slipping in my AirPods, I choose my recent playlist obsession and turn the stove on, ready to get lost in music and cooking.

When I don’t have Raúl breathing down my neck, I actually love it.

I sip my coffee and wait for the skillet to get nice and hot before adding the bacon, filling up the house with more delicious smells.

Today’s menu is poached eggs with homemade hollandaise sauce and crispy bacon crumbles.

Jake wanders in first, his messy hair sticking up in every direction. He sits at the island in nothing but a pair of basketball shorts.

“Hey, morning breath,” I tease, knowing he probably rolled out of bed and wandered down here with his eyes closed.

“’Sup, morning wood,” he retorts, rubbing his tired eyes. “Is there coffee?”

I chuckle, grabbing a mug from the cabinet and pouring him a cup. I set it on the counter in front of him before getting the creamer out of the fridge again.

He fixes his coffee how he likes it, taking a sip and humming at the flavor. “Thanks, man.”

Spencer strolls in next, freshly showered and ready for the day.

His dark hair is shaved on the sides and long on top, and he’s rocking a neatly trimmed five o’clock shadow.

“Jake, you bum,” he laughs when he sees the state Jake is in.

He makes himself a cup of coffee before sitting next to Jake and likely scrolling social media or checking stocks.

“Anyone seen Toby?” I ask. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

The sauce is simmering, but I won’t start the eggs until everyone’s here.

“I heard him giggling like a schoolgirl in his room just now,” Spencer says absentmindedly, still focused on his phone.

“Yeah, he’s been acting weird lately,” Jake adds. “I think he’s talking to someone.”

“You think?” Spencer says sarcastically before I shut this shit down.

“ Enough, ” I interrupt with a loud bark. “I’ll go get him, or no one eats.”

Jake and Spencer hold their hands up in surrender.

“Sir, yes, sir!” Jake salutes me, and I leave the room before I knock him off his barstool.

I quietly make my way upstairs, stopping when I reach Toby’s room and carefully pressing my ear to the door.

Muffled giggling meets my ear, followed by a playful, “Stop it!”

I swallow thickly, nearly choking on the lump in my throat. It’s not even ten in the morning, and he’s already talking to that guy?

I take a deep breath, steeling my resolve and knocking on the door three times. “Breakfast is ready,” I inform him.

“Be right there!” he hollers, ignoring me to say goodbye to some asshole.

I stand there a moment, my mind racing with thoughts of protecting Toby.

“Yo! Toby!” Jake hollers from the kitchen. “Hurry up and finish jerking off! We’re hungry!”

Rolling my eyes at my ridiculous roommate downstairs, I lean against the wall opposite Toby’s door, propping one leg up and folding my arms across my chest. I can wait for him.

Quiet murmurs and more giggles escape Toby’s room before the door suddenly opens, and he freezes when he finds me waiting.

“Hey,” he says, smiling shyly, pushing his curls back, only for them to flop over his forehead again.

“Breakfast is ready,” I repeat, continuing to stare intensely at him, making him squirm.

“How long have you been waiting there?” he asks hesitantly.

“Long enough,” I murmur, pushing off the wall and taking one large step into his space. “Are you seeing someone?” I ask without hesitation because I need to know these things.

“Just talking,” he admits. “Nothing serious.”

“I want to meet him.”

“ What?! ” Toby shrieks with panic written all over his face.

“You heard me.”

“Absolutely not.” He slips past me and scurries to the stairs in an attempt to avoid the conversation.

“ Toby! ” I whisper-shout.

I swear to God, he better not fall again.

Thankfully, he makes it down safely, turning the corner and casually strolling into the kitchen.

“About damn time, Tobias!” Jake shouts from the island as soon as we walk in.

I pop him on the back of the head as I pass him on my way to the stove. “ Hey! ” he shouts, rubbing the spot. “What was that for?”