Chapter Six

Perry

Ispend about three hours at Theo's place, then head home. I should have left earlier so I had time to find someone on a hookup app before getting ready for work, but the time passed faster than it should. It felt like I blinked and three hours had flown by. Theo has that kind of personality. He's fun and addicting, and I really, really want to have sex with him, but I won't mention it again. That's not how I roll, and if he says he's not interested in fucking around with a guy—or me, I guess—then I have to believe him. At least I have someone cool to hang out with.

"Did you have fun?" Ty asks. He's sitting on the couch with his laptop, Brax beside him.

It's nice to have a brother to talk to, though maybe not in this instance. If I tell them, Ty's going to bust my balls about it, but I'm still so shocked by what happened with Theo, I just spit it out. "He's straight?" My statement comes out as a question.

"Huh? I thought…"

"Yeah, I thought so too. Apparently, he had no clue I was flirting with him last night, and today he thought it was a hangout."

"Wait…" Surprisingly, it's Brax who speaks. "So you flirted with this guy all night, got his number, hung out with him—"

"Was taken to lunch by him," I correct.

"This guy took you on a date and didn't realize it?" Ty quirks a brow.

"That's about it." I cross my arms.

"He's gotta be fucking with you," Brax adds.

"He's not. Believe me, if you met him, you'd see. Theo doesn't have a mean bone in his body." I think part of it is that he's a little clueless, but I also wonder if some of it comes from low self-esteem. He was so hung up on me thinking he's hot that it's almost like he didn't think it possible.

"Damn. Apparently, you don't have as much game as your big brother. Want me to give you pointers?" Ty teases.

"Fuck you. I have game."

"You should have seen me pull Brax. I had him wrapped around my little finger from the start."

Brax rolls his eyes. "If you consider begging to suck my dick as wrapped around your finger, then yes."

"Aw, Sunshine. You know you loved me from the first time you saw me."

"Nah, you just grew on me like a fungus."

Ty sets his laptop down and straddles Brax's lap, which is my cue to get the fuck out of there. "Have fun."

"Wait!" Ty says. "Where have you been, then?"

"With Theo." I shift from foot to foot. "He asked if we could be friends."

"I'm confused." Ty's forehead wrinkles.

"People can be friends, dickwad."

"Yeah, but you gotta admit, this situation is entertaining as fuck."

Yes, I would admit that if I wasn't the one it was happening to. I wouldn't believe it if it was anyone other than Theo, but as I spent time with him today, somehow it all makes sense.

"I'm not talking to you guys anymore," I grumble under my breath as I leave the room, hearing Ty and Brax chuckling behind me. I'm not really mad at them. I get it. If the situation were reversed, I would be doing the same thing.

I get ready for work, then jump into my car and drive to Shenanigans. Sundays aren't usually super busy, but I wonder if it will be tonight since tomorrow is the first day of classes—people wanting to get in one more night of partying before they have schoolwork to do—or if it will be slow because everyone has shit to do, so they won't come in.

It stays steady but not too bad, enough that the day doesn't drag but not so much that I'm running around like crazy all night. A couple of hours into my shift, my phone buzzes with a text. I pull it out of my pocket to see it's from Theo.

Hot Dancing Guy: Sorry again about today. I feel like an idiot.

Me: Eh, I shouldn't have assumed.

Hot Dancing Guy: I said we could hook up. I sent mixed signals.

I chuckle. Damn, this guy. He's too fucking sweet.

Me: Doesn't mean you owe me anything.

Hot Dancing Guy: I know. I just wanted to apologize again and say thanks for hanging out today. I had fun! We shouldchillagain… Look at me watching my word choice! Not hook up. We're gonna chill!

I can't help but snicker again.

Me: I'm changing your name in my phone to Puppy.

Hot Dancing Guy: That would take me down to an eight, at the very least. Are you sure you want to do that?

Me: Are you still thinking about how hot I think you are? Curious… Oh, and Ilikepuppies.

I add a smiley-face emoji at the end of my text, then shove my phone into my pocket. It takes me a moment to realize my cheeks are hurting.

"What are you smiling so big at?" Marshall asks as he sets down a box, then steps around the bar to organize the bottles. He's this sexy, sweet guy with brown hair and glasses, who works as a barback. Marshall is the definition of nice guy.

"Nothing," I reply, but really, it's hard not to smile when it comes to Theo.

Puppy: So…what are you doing tonight?

It's late Monday afternoon and the first time I've heard from Theo all day. School started, and since I don't know his schedule, I didn't want to bother him if he was busy. Plus, I'm not really a text-first kind of guy unless it's a hookup question. I don't ever want to come off as clingy, needing or wanting anyone too much. It helps me keep that mental distance. I'm a walls-up guy. Not in the same way as Brax. Not like I hate the world or want to bite everyone's head off, but just that I don't want to let people in or depend on anyone. Giving someone the chance not to want me? To walk away from me? Not really my thing.

Me: Trying to decide between meeting up with this guy I'm talking to on a hookup app or going to do food deliveries. One feels good, but the other helps me make money, and I'm broke, so the decision isn't as easy as one might think.

Puppy: Definitely go with delivery.

Me: Because it's responsible?

Puppy: No, because then I can go with you!

I frown, not having expected that.

Me: Why would you want to go? It's boring AF.

In some ways Theo acts like someone who doesn't have other people in his life, but I know that's not true. He's talked about his family and the guys he shares a house with. They seem to be close friends, and I imagine they're not the only ones in his life, but for whatever reason, he seems to want to chill with me. It's…perplexing.

Puppy: Which is why it's so nice of me to go with you. I won't subject you to that on your own.

Me: Ah, but remember my other option is getting laid.

Puppy: Money is more important. And so are friends. We're friends, Perry! Bros before blows. (Blowjobs. Get it?)

My cheeks hurt, and I realize it's because I've been holding a smile. Again. Jesus, this guy.

I can pretend I'm going to choose the hookup, but the truth is, I do need to make some more money. Bills before… Shit. I can't think of anything to rhyme with that.

Me: What am I going to do with you?

Puppy: Pick me up in fifteen?

I sigh.

Me: I'll be there.

And once again, for a reason I don't understand, I let him cockblock me.

I change into another pair of jeans and T-shirt, then jump into my car and drive to Theo's. He's sitting on the porch, looking at his phone, but glances up as soon as I stop along the curb. He gives me a huge smile that basically swallows his face, and then he bounces on his feet and jogs over. It's like he's always happy to see me, and while I'm sure he's like that with everyone, I can't pretend it doesn't feel good.

"You're the most genuine person I've ever met," I say when he gets into the car.

"Huh?" He frowns, as if he can't understand why I would say that. I don't think Theo realizes most of the good things about himself. I still can't get over the fact that he didn't realize how hot he is. And this seems equally confusing to him.

"You. You're genuine. And kind."

"Thank you?" His brows pull together.

"How do you not know this, Puppy?"

"So we're going with that nickname, huh?"

"Not if you hate it, but I don't think you do. If you say any variation of Perry, please don't call me that or I'm gonna punch you in the nose, then I won't use it again. If you don't tell me not to, I'll assume you like it."

"You know what they say about assuming…"

"You're still not telling me not to use it."

"I'd like to get back to all those compliments. I'm…what did you say? Genuine, kind, and gorgeous?"

"You added the gorgeous."

"Because you said I'm a nine and a half."

I chuckle. "I believe I said a nine."

He waves me off. "Whatever."

I don't mention his fascination with how I'm attracted to him. "We know I think you're hot. I wanted to have sex with you, remember?"

His cheeks flush pink, and damn, it's cuter than it should be.

He covers his face. "Don't remind me that I'm an idiot."

"You're not an idiot. I would know because I'm one myself."

"You are not an idiot," he counters.

"We're ridiculous." I wait for the urge to run to hit me, for that discomfort at the base of my spine to spread through me more, but Theo is safe because we're just friends. He's not going to want more from me, and I'm pretty good at enjoying time with someone while also not letting them get close enough to hurt me, to leave me, like my father left us. There's no reason that won't be the same with my puppy.

"We're fun," he adds, and I can't help but grin.

Yeah, yeah we are.