7. Luke

Chapter 7

Luke

Corey Howe is kind of…adorable?

Not the usual ‘A’ word used to describe him, but as I watch him doing the macarena with one of the kids here, there is no denying that it’s true.

You would never think anyone would have the guts to bully Corey Howe. He’s a formidable force. I guess that’s why. Some jerky jock years ago made him believe he has to act like an asshole in order to be left alone.

My phone buzzes, taking my attention away from Corey. The name of the chat always makes me roll my eyes. Benny saw a Tiktok about a succulent called Green Cockscomb that apparently thrives with very little care. He thought that sounded like us Green brothers, and ever since, that has been the name of the group chat.

Cockscomb

Benny: Lukeeeeeeeee, I’m really sorry but we can’t video chat tonight. I totally forgot that we have a family dinner at Daniels place.

Tyler: Shit, is that tonight?

Benny: Yeah, didn’t Zeke put it in your joint calendar?

Tyler: I keep forgetting to check that.

Benny: Dumbass.

It really shouldn’t hurt my feeling that they are canceling our video chat. Shit happens. But it’s the third one this month. The family dinner part is like a knife to the heart, too. They have this whole network of people, and I’m really glad they have that, but it’s weird not being a part of it. They are going to spend time with people they see as family at the expense of their actual brother.

I’m jealous, and it sucks. Jealous of people I know who are lovely and funny and kind.

I need to text back.

Me: Fine.

Me: Cool.

Me: That’s absolutely great.

Me: No worries. Have a great time.

I settle on the last message and put my phone back into my pocket with a sigh.

“What’s wrong?” I jump, not realizing Corey had abandoned his dance and joined me.

“It’s nothing,” I smile. I don’t want him thinking I’m a drag.

He raises an eyebrow. “Tell me.”

That is sexy as fuck. Of course, I do what he asks.

“My brothers had to cancel our video chat tonight. They’re having dinner with their found family.”

“You miss them.” It’s not a question. It’s obvious to anyone who is around me for longer than five minutes that I miss my brothers.

“Yeah.”

“Are you seeing them over winter break?”

“No, plane tickets are really expensive, and I don’t have a car. I am hoping to go stay with them over the summer, though. Their friend Milo has a grandpa who will let me rent a room over the summer for a really cheap rate.” It’s something I am really looking forward too. I’ve met Daniel over video chat a couple of times and he seems super nice.

Corey crosses his arms. “Is he a creep?”

“No! He runs an LGBTQ project similar to this.” I frown at him. “Why do you care so much?”

“You seem too trusting.”

I roll my eyes. “I tell you I’m a virgin, and now you think I’m some delicate, innocent damsel. Don’t do that, Corey. You can be rough with me.”

He runs a hand over his face with a groan.

“You are a fucking menace.”

“What? How?”

“Don’t worry. Have you told your brothers how you feel?”

If his goal was to distract me, he succeeds.

“No. They’ll just feel guilty, and I don’t want that. I’ll video chat with them on Wednesday, and it’ll be fine.” Corey looks like he doesn’t quite believe that but is going to let it slide anyway. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do here? I could teach the kids the cha cha slide if you are done with the macarena?”

He smiles at me. “Thanks for the offer, you little shit.”

“I prefer little cheerleader,” I quip. Clearly, the wrong thing to say because his smile vanishes.

“Noted,” he says with a bored voice. “We’re going to head home now.”

I try not to be disappointed. Even if it does seem to be the day for it. I will not feel sorry for myself.

Less than half an hour later, we pull up outside the cheer house. “Thanks for the ride home.”

“Luke, I was the one who made you go to The Meadow. I wasn’t about to leave you stranded there.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “Is there a reason you are still in my car?”

Yes. I want to blow you and smear your cum into my skin.

I don’t say that, though. Perry and Bradley would. I wish I had that kind of confidence.

“No reason. I guess I’ll see you Tuesday?”

“I guess.” Corey looks away, and I don’t like it.

Today meant something. I know it did. He may not find me attractive, but we definitely became friends.

I get out of the car and watch as he drives away.

Corey might not want to date me, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.

“Luke, what the fuck are you wearing?” Perry says, slamming his tray on the table as he sits down opposite me and Gio in the food hall.

“Jeans and a hoodie?” It comes out as a question, his annoyance at my wardrobe throwing me off. I look Perry up and down. “I’m wearing the same thing you are.”

“And me,” Gio adds helpfully.

Perry rolls his eyes. “You know what I meant.”

“I really don’t.”

“Whose hoodie are you wearing, Luke?”

I will not blush. I will not blush.

“Hey guys,” Charlie says, walking over to join us with Tucker, who immediately latches his face onto Gio’s. Thank fuck for the distraction. “Why is your face so red, Luke?”

“I was just calling him out for wearing a guy’s hoodie,” Perry smirks. “I’m just waiting for him to tell me it’s Corey’s, and then I can rip into him for being an idiot.”

My eyes narrow. “You do realize I’m an adult right? If I want to be friends with Corey, I can.”

“You don’t just want to be friends with him, though.”

“What is so wrong with that?”

“Corey Howe will chew you up and spit you out. He’s an asshole and deserves someone better than him.”

“You don’t know him like I do.”

“Can you hear yourself? You’ve known him for ten days, and he’s made you his happy little servant. Get a clue, Luke. He’s taking advantage of you.”

“You’re wrong. We’re friends.”

“But you want more.”

I just shrug. I’m not going to deny it. “Yeah, but he doesn’t.”

Perry just stares at me.

“This is really intense,” Charlie whispers. Perry turns his gaze to him and then back to me.

The smirk he smirks has me scared for my life.

“I’ve just had the best idea.”

“Perry, that smile is fooling no one. I don’t want to play games with him.”

“Okay, I understand and respect that. Games suck, but occasionally they are needed.”

“How good is a relationship going to be if you play games?”

“Oh, it’ll be a toxic dumpster fire of red flags. You shouldn’t play games if you’re in a relationship, but to put you on the right road where the destination is boyfriendville party of two, it’s totally fine.”

“That sentence gave me a headache,” Gio mutters. I kinda forgot the others were here. They’ve just been watching us like we’re in a conversation tennis match or something.

“Your face is a headache,” Perry retorts before turning back to me. “Are you in? I’m not going to pressure you either way. That shit is nasty.”

I roll my eyes. Next to my brothers, Perry is probably my favorite human. I know he would never pressure me to do anything that would be bad for me.

So I’m going to do whatever he says in order for Corey to see me as someone he might like to date or have sex with. I would love both.

“I’m in.”