Chapter Seven | Liam

Ethan took my order for a low-fat cappuccino and passed on the order to Susie. The coffee shop was busy but there were a few places to sit. I spotted a table where I could remove one chair so Jamal would have a space for his wheelchair. Meeting with him had been a last-minute arrangement. I'd decided to forego a trip to the gym in preference of seeing him.

"Go ahead," Ethan said. "Secure that table. I'll bring your coffee over."

"Jamal shouldn't be long. He was finishing some paperwork."

Ethan smiled at me. "You seem nervous. Are you anxious about seeing him?"

I exhaled and groaned. "Please don't get in my face about this."

"Not going to hassle you." His smile turned to a smirk. "It's cute. It suits you."

"I'm going to sit down now." I turned and left him. After I arrived at the table, I pulled one chair away and set it against a back wall. I analyzed the open space. It should be sufficient.

I took a seat on the bench on the other side of the table. My ears heated as Jamal rolled into the coffee shop and up to the counter. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Ethan and Jamal were chatting and laughing. Ethan pointed in my direction after Jamal placed his order.

Ethan hadn't charged either one of us. That was one of the nice things about having friends who owned food and drink establishments. It saved the wallet from overuse .

Jamal's expressive smile and sultry eyes nearly caused my heart to stutter and seize as he moved toward me. Few people had set their gaze on me the way Jamal had just now.

"Hey, Liam." He wheeled into the space I set up for him. "Thanks for moving the chair."

"No problem." I nearly groaned with disappointment in myself. I hated it when people used that phrase. It had an inherently negative feeling about it. Ethan was right. I was nervous.

"Did you know a coffee bean is found at the centre of a berry called a coffee cherry?"

I smiled. "That's a new one for me. I know they're green before they're roasted."

"Coffee is the most consumed beverage in Canada. Moreso than water."

"Then I'm in the right business." Ethan set our drinks in front of us. "Do you mind if I sit for a couple of minutes? I need to take a break to reset my brain."

I frowned at Ethan, but he crowded in beside me on the bench.

"So, Jamal … how are things at the centre?" Ethan asked. I'm not sure why he was hijacking my time with Jamal. Maybe some misguided attempt to ease my anxiety.

"Busy," Jamal replied. "More kids are coming in during the day looking for food and shelter for a few hours. I'm going to need to secure some more funding for a meal program along with a youth shelter situation I've applied for." He cupped his mug in both hands. "As much as forty percent of homeless youth are LGBTQ+."

"Jeez," Ethan responded.

"And twenty percent of the homeless population in Canada are youth."

My chest felt tight. "Is there anything I can do? "

Jamal's eyes widened and he smiled at me. "Actually, yes. It's a small thing, but we've set up a weight room at the centre. I'd love if you could spend some time showing the kids how to use the equipment. We don't want anyone hurting themselves."

"Done." I could do that. "Just tell me when."

"I'll text you."

"Do you do arts and crafts?" Ethan asked Jamal.

"We do. We like to keep the youth busy. They like being creative."

Ethan tapped the table. "I have a pottery wheel and a small kiln I'm not using. Would you have room for them? I could give classes on how to use the wheel and then work the kiln for you."

Jamal's face took on a gorgeous expression I hadn't seen on him before.

Gratitude.

"Thank you both." He looked back and forth between us. "You have no idea how huge this is. The more we offer the youth, the more their minds are exposed to opportunities for joy."

I loved the wording of that.

"I already drop leftover baked goods at the homeless shelter," Ethan said, "but I could have my bakery assistant make extra muffins and cookies for the centre. I could set up a donation jar by the till to cover the extra cost. My customers would love to support an initiative like that."

I felt the need to reach for Jamal as tears formed in his eyes. I couldn't stop myself. I touched his arm and held it. "The Salish Sea Society is here for you. You only need to ask."

Jamal nodded, silently looking into his cup. We'd overwhelmed him.

I patted his arm and withdrew my hand.

"I'm back off to work," Ethan said as he stood. "Enjoy your visit. "

I gave Jamal a minute to compose himself after Ethan left us. "You all right?"

"It was a lot all at once." He looked up at me and wiped a tear off his cheek. "I've dedicated my life to the youth at that centre. The pay sucks. It's not why I'm there."

"I'm a firm believer in supporting our LGBTQ+ community. I was on the board of the pride society for a few years. I was in charge of organizing the volunteers."

Jamal's eyebrows rose. "Noah never mentioned that about you."

"There are a lot of things you probably don't know about me."

"I'm realizing that." Jamal bit his bottom lip as he stared at me, demonstrating a stellar impression of a shy schoolboy. "I'm looking forward to finding out more."

"Me too," I whispered as our attention on one another held.

The commotion of the coffee shop disappeared as neither of us could look away. I needed to break the intensity. It was sending my pulse into a frenzy. I lifted my coffee cup and took a sip, breaking eye contact with Jamal. He did the same, concentrating on his drink.

"Do you want to come for dinner again?" he asked. "Thanksgiving turkey with fixings."

That was an entire week away. Could I stand to be away from Jamal for that long?

"Wouldn't miss it," I answered. "Let me know if I can bring anything." We typically had Thanksgiving dinner at Owen's each year. I was going to be ditching the guys.

"No need. There will be enough food to feed an army already. Just bring yourself."

I smirked and winked at him like an idiot. "That I can do."

Again, we couldn't take our attention off one another; lost in each other's eyes, barely blinking. It felt as if we were both utterly enthralled by our growing connection. Friendships weren't supposed to progress like this. And yet, despite our intention, I wouldn't dream of pulling away.

Jamal cleared his throat and looked down.

"Yeah," I muttered. I'm not sure why.

"I should get back to work," Jamal said. "The afterschool group will be arriving soon."

"Right. Okay." I rose from my seat. "I have errands to run before work."

Run?

Dammit.

Jamal wheeled back from the table. "Are you closing tonight?"

"Yeah, it'll be a late one."

Parting ways after that was awkward as we both contemplated whether a physical goodbye was warranted. Walking away after a brief hug, I was transported back to the night sitting on Jamal's bed when I'd held him. His muscular frame fit against mine perfectly.

Kissing his head had been impulsive but after placing my lips on him, I'd remained, inhaling the scent of his shampoo. He had leaned against me and clung to my arm.

I wanted more of that.

But did we dare cross that line again?

The squealing laughter and high-pitched chatter of my female friends had me laughing too. They were a kooky bunch, and I loved every single one of them. I'd known most for many years.

Karen, unfortunately named, was the ringleader, and the woman I had known the longest. I'd met her at university. We'd created sexual mayhem in our time there. Karen had been as much a playboy as I was. Play girl in her case. We'd made a game of competing for the same men. Now, she was happily married with three children, but she was still an absolute spitfire.

Cindy, a cute little thing; five foot nothing was the purse for most of our antics. She and her husband existed in wealth. She'd be a perfect candidate for Housewives of Vancouver Island if such a show existed. She lived a childless life of wine, relaxation, and luxury.

Mia was the voice of reason for the group, keeping the reins in place for what was sometimes a runaway party. She was the one who made sure the rest of us arrived home safely. She was a registered nurse, worked hard at her job, and was a single mom of two adorable boys.

Emily was new to the group. She had moved to Victoria from Quebec City a year ago. She had the cutest accent when she spoke English and reverted to French when she was drunk. She was single. Her dating record was much like Owen's. Disaster after agonizing disaster.

The champagne was flowing in the limousine. I was drinking sparkling water. No one had given me a moment of grief when I told them I was sober. In fact, they'd congratulated me.

We pulled up outside the gay bar we were invading tonight. Unlike the general population, we'd been allowed to make a reservation. Our table would be a moneymaker.

Once seated, Karen commanded the ordering when the server came over.

"Two bottles of your best bubbly, four glasses, one sparkling water … and we're starving. Two of every appetizer on the menu should do us to start."

"My treat," Cindy said, waving her hands around, once the server left. I'd have to pick through what Karen had ordered, but I should be able to find enough to ease my evening hunger .

"Well … hello, dolls." Charlie—Charlotte squeezed in beside me. "Girl's night?"

"Liam said you were hosting and performing tonight," Mia said. "Couldn't miss it."

Charlotte swept some hair away from my face. We had stayed in contact after we ended whatever it was we'd been doing, going back to our previous relationship as friends.

No surprise. We made better friends than lovers.

Charlotte pinched my arm with her false nails. "How's my favourite doll?"

"Saying an absolute no to what you suggested."

Charlotte sighed and put her arm around my shoulders. "That makes me sad."

"Que?" Emily asked. "You suggested what?"

"I attempted to convince Liam to try drag," Charlotte replied. A collective squeal went up from the women, followed by waves of undecipherable words until Mia shushed them.

"I want to hear more," she said.

"Oh, Liam … do it." Karen clung to my arm. "You'd be gorgeous."

"Solid no . There's no chance I'm getting up there in drag to dance and lip sync."

Mia reached across the table and put her hand on mine. "You're an incredible dancer. Plus, you've seen enough drag shows, you know the moves already."

Charlotte winked at me. "Might have trouble tucking that monster of yours away."

I snorted out a laugh. "It would be fun to try but the answer is still no ."

She frowned. "I was looking forward to beating your face."

I nudged Charlotte gently. "I'm not saying no to that for a bit of a laugh. "

"Small victories." She looked toward the bar. "I've got to go. Starting soon."

The drag show was fabulous. Charlotte worked the room like the professional she was with a perfect blend of lude jokes, games, commentary, and sultry and energetic dance moves.

Imagining being on stage dressed in drag did nothing for me. The makeup interested me but not the rest of it. Having someone like Charlie to help me would be fun.

I was thankful we had retained our friendship.

I ended my night earlier than the girls. They would continue for hours more fueled by alcohol. I'd get the recap from Karen tomorrow. I took a cab back to Cindy's house where I had left my car and drove home with Jamal on my mind. The depths of his rich brown eyes at the coffee shop had heated an ember in me. I would be helpless to deny him if he decided to set me fully ablaze.

Thanksgiving dinner was made for the kind of plate arrangement Jamal and I shared. He didn't organize his food by calorie count, but he had made an impressive pinwheel of items.

I started eating at the braised carrot quadrant.

"Jamal says you're going to help the kids with using the gym equipment," Meera said.

I nodded. "Proper technique is important."

"You spend a lot of time at the gym?" David asked.

Jamal tipped his head as he gave David an incredulous look. "What do you think?"

"I'm there every day," I confirmed. Sometimes twice a day but I wasn't about to share that. "Plus, I go for a run early in the morning if I can." The only thing that would stop me—if I had been entertaining the night before. The kind of sex I had burned a lot of calories.

I'd been running every day .

"Jamal and I go for a run through different parks sometimes," David said.

I looked along my shoulder at Jamal. "Yeah?"

"I have a special chair. Kind of like a dirt bike."

"Cool." A wave of possibilities stirred my mind. "We should go some time."

"I'd love that."

I nearly hummed as I tucked back into my food. Finding more things Jamal and I could do together enthused me. I sensed there was very little that would hold Jamal back.

Out of consideration for my hosts, I finished everything on my plate. I even had a piece of pumpkin pie. Minus the whipped cream. There was no need to go crazy.

I was charged with collecting the used glassware and bringing it to the kitchen. Then I was commandeered. Meera nudged me as I started washing pots. "So … you and my brother."

My heart skipped, feeling like it missed a beat. "Me and your brother what?"

"You're getting close." The implication was obvious. I wondered if Jamal had said something to Meera about me. The level of intense eye contact at Ethan's coffee shop had been new.

"He's a great guy," I replied.

So much more than great.

"Any man would be lucky to have him."

I worked to clear my throat as my mind scrambled for a reply. "He deserves the best." And that wasn't me. Jamal deserved a guy who would shower him with unparalleled love.

I rolled my shoulders, reminding myself I wasn't designed for that kind of devotion.

Meera didn't drop any more hints .

I joined Jamal in his room after I finished helping with the dishes. He was sitting in his wheelchair at the edge of his bed. He'd queued up a movie we'd agreed to watch together.

"Liam, do you mind?" He touched his bed. "My shoulders are aching."

I approached him. "How do I move you?"

"Hook your arms around my waist. Lift me and hug me to your body. Give the wheelchair a shove, then set me on the bed near the headboard. I can take it from there."

For a brief second, I was concerned about hurting him. Then I remembered how muscular and robust his body had felt in my arms. I crouched and wrapped my arms around his waist. His arms were immediately around my neck, clinging to me. His breath fluttered past my cheek.

The urge to turn my head and kiss his skin was strong.

"Lift me," Jamal whispered against my ear.

Right .

I hoisted him against my body, chest to chest. He felt incredible in my arms. Strong and capable. There was nothing deficient about this man. I turned him toward the bed, pushed the wheelchair back, took a couple of steps along the mattress, and set him gently on the bedding.

Neither of us moved to separate.

Jamal gripped the back of my neck, his fingers playing with the hair at my nape. A tingle of exhilaration ran up my spine which lit the fire. It would soon be consuming me.

We lingered, our cheeks touching, his other hand on my shoulder. My hands sank onto his hips as our breathing quickened. I stroked my thumbs on his hipbones and wondered if he could feel it. I wanted to run my hands all over his body. Discover every inch of his sensitive skin.

I felt a crackle of sparks .

Intense heat built between us as we stayed connected, unwilling to part. My cock throbbed when Jamal shifted his head up and down, causing his stubble to run rough over mine.

It was too soon.

"Jamal," I managed, barely above a whisper.

"I know." His hands slipped free of me. He shuffled his torso closer to the headboard once I released his hips. He looked down at his legs, still hanging off the edge of the bed. He didn't need to say a word. I wasn't sure if he was testing me. I didn't care. Give me any reason to touch him again, and I would be all over it. One at a time, I lifted his legs onto the bed.

"Thank you, Liam."

This time instead of saying something stupid, I used the back of my fingers to stroke his cheek. He angled his head, chasing my touch. Within a matter of seconds, we'd moved firmly out of the friend zone. Every hesitation and excuse left me. As Jamal's eyes studied me, his emotion was plain. In those beautiful eyes of his, he saw someone who was good enough. Better than enough.

I was someone he could fall in love with.

"Come sit beside me," he said.

I was reluctant to end the contact with his skin, but I did as he asked.

Once I was seated at his side, he slipped his hand into mine. Our joined hands felt like the first block of an incredibly solid foundation. More significant than anything I'd ever experienced.