Chapter Seven

Theo

Iplay navigator for the night. Sure, Perry can do it just as easily, but I like having a hand in this evening. When the orders come through the app, I tell him where we're going and he drives there, picks up the food, and then delivers it to the house. I also add his miles into the notes on his phone so he can use them as a write-off at the end of the year.

I don't know why I've never considered doing this for extra money, but like Perry tells me at one point, it's also a lot of wear and tear on your vehicle, so it's not always worth it.

Early in the night we make a stop at the store and splurge on a bag of Sour Patch Kids for me and mini MM's for Perry, but end up sharing candy.

We stay at it until almost midnight, and there's rarely a lull in the conversation the whole time.

When he drops me off, I don't want to go, but I also have class early the next morning, so I do.

The following day I text to see what he's doing, but he has to work at the bar when I'm out of school. Wednesday and Thursday we hang out again. When we're not together, we keep messaging throughout the day. I enjoy chatting with him. He makes me laugh and smile, and I can't lie and pretend he's not good on the ego. Still, that's not why I like chilling with him. I just like Perry.

My mom calls Friday afternoon, like she does every week. My stomach automatically fills with dread, and then it's all tangled up in guilt because I have no reason to feel that way.

"Hey, Mama," I say, sitting down at one of the picnic tables around campus.

"Hey! How's my favorite son?"

"I'm your only son," I remind her. I have two younger sisters but no brothers.

"You'd be my favorite no matter what."

I grin. See what I mean about her being great? My dad is the same, though he's not the type to call me every week just to check in. "I'm pretty fantastic, aren't I?"

"You know you are. Now tell me about your first week of school. I want to hear about all your classes. What are your professors like? They better be good to my baby."

"I'll tell them you said so," I tease.

"You can give them my phone number too if you want."

I chuckle. "Thanks, Mama."

"Seriously, though. I want all the details."

"There's not much to say yet," I answer, but still tell her about each professor and some of the work we've done so far. She likes to feel involved. One of Mom's biggest regrets is she didn't have the traditional college experience, and she and my dad have worked their asses off to make sure I can. Making them proud is so important to me. They've sacrificed so much for my sisters and me, but sometimes the pressure feels like too much weight for me to carry. She would be devastated if she knew that, but I don't know how to get past it.

When I finish sharing with her about Financial Management, Marketing Methods, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, and Legal and Regulatory Environment, which could also all be called boring, boring, boring, and boring, she asks, "How's Whitney?"

Shit. How did I forget that my girlfriend broke up with me and I haven't told my family? I've finally told the guys, but that's it. One would think that would be on my mind the past week, but spending time with Perry has made it easy to forget. I realize that makes me sound like a bit of a dick about Whit, and the truth is, even though I didn't feel the same about her anymore, if she didn't have the guts to break up with me, I probably would have never broken up with her. "Um…we're not together anymore."

"Oh, Theo. I'm so sorry. Why did she break up with you?"

I shift on the bench, watching the sun through the leaves of a palm tree and trying not to be annoyed that Mom automatically assumed she was the one to break up with me. She's right, of course, and yes, I just thought to myself that I would have never dumped her, but still. It's one thing to think those thoughts about myself and another entirely for someone to show they believe the same.

"It just wasn't working out anymore. For both of us." But I didn't do it. I wouldn't have done it. Why am I like this?

"I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Maybe you should come home for the weekend. We can spend some family time together."

"Nah, that's okay. I don't want to waste the gas money."

"You deserve better." I think she's talking about how our family struggles to make ends meet and about Whitney.

"I have a lot. I'm thankful. You guys are the best."

"You're such a sweet boy. Fuck Whitney. There's someone better out there for you."

I laugh. It's not often my mom curses, but mess with one of her kids and you're gonna have to deal with her wrath. "Thanks, Mom. It's for the best." For some reason, Perry pops into my head right then and I add, "I met a new friend. He's a guy, so you know, just a friend, but he's cool."

"He must be if he's friends with you. That's good news! What's his major?"

"He's not enrolled in school. He moved out here to get to know his brother. We met by accident."

"Well, I'm glad you met him. And I hope you know how proud of you we are, Theo. The first person in our family who's going to graduate from college. I still can't believe it."

My stomach twists, and I bite back my groan. The thought of all this money and going into all this debt for something I struggle with and might not even be good at is just…a lot. But I don't know if there's anything else I want. Business is as good as anything, and it's practical.

"I know, Mom. Listen, I gotta go. The guys are waiting for me at the house."

"Okay. I love you. Let me know if you change your mind about coming home, and don't worry, you'll find a nice girl who's better for you than Whitney was. I just know it."

I smile. "I love you too."

Casey, Avery, and Jack are there when I get home. They're all in the living room with chips and schoolbooks on the coffee table.

"Hey, what's up?" Avery asks when I sit beside him on the couch.

"Nothing. What are you guys up to?"

"We're gonna play some games and chill for a while before we figure out something to do tonight."

I want to join them. It sounds much better than my computer, which is taunting me, but I also know I need to hit the books. It takes things a little longer to make sense to me, so I say, "I'm gonna go upstairs and study. I'm down to do something later tonight." I wish Perry were free, but he works at Shenanigans.

"I'll study with you if you want." Casey stands, but I shake my head. It's easier for me to concentrate in a quiet room, and I've never shared my school difficulties with him.

"I'm good. Thanks, bro."

"You're gonna hang out with us tonight, though, right? You've been with that guy a lot this week."

I have been with Perry a lot, which in some ways, is maybe a little weird. Has it really only been a week since I met him? It feels like he's taken up residence in my thoughts ever since. "Yeah, for sure." I bump fists with them, then head upstairs, open my laptop, and try to make sense of what feels like a foreign language to me.

We end upgoing to Shenanigans. It's not my idea, but I don't argue with it either. It's the bar everyone who goes to Franklin U hangs out at, so the little buzz I'm feeling beneath my skin has nothing to do with Perry. The social aspect is the best part of college so far.

Jack agrees to drive, and we all climb into his SUV at about ten to head over. He'll stay sober or leave his vehicle there. I probably won't drink either, so if we need to, I can always drive home. I'm still working through last week. I'm not sure I'll ever drink again, which is probably an exaggeration, but still.

They check our IDs at the door. If you're over twenty-one, you get a wristband with a different design every night. No band, no drink. It's blue with pineapples on it tonight, the door guy wrapping it around my wrist.

Rock music is playing when we go inside. I don't recognize the band, but the beat is vibrating the walls and floors, making my insides shake. The bar is pretty busy already, with the counter to order drinks to the left, tables to the right, and there's also a dance floor, pool tables, and things like that. They do open-mic nights sometimes, but I've never been. Honestly, I haven't spent a ton of time at Shenanigans like everyone else does.

I tell myself I'm not scanning the room for Perry, but I know it's a lie. There's nothing wrong with wanting to see my friend, so I don't know why I'm trying to pretend it's not what I'm doing.

I spot him toward the end of the counter. An angry-looking, scowling guy with black hair is sitting on a stool across from him. There's a strange prickle of something at the back of my neck, but then I realize that must be Brax, Perry's brother's boyfriend.

Right behind that knowledge is the fact that it doesn't matter at all if Perry was talking to some guy he wanted to bone. He's my friend, and while I can admit he's an attractive guy, that's all it is. You don't have to be queer to know when someone is attractive. I have eyes in my head, so I've seen men before and been able to think, huh…I can see what a girl would see in him, but that's all it's ever been. Perry's tanned skin, brown hair, and whiskey-colored eyes are definitely something a person would be into. He's long and lean, more slender than me. I bet he has a six-pack.

"Let's get some drinks!" Avery wraps an arm around me, and the group of us head toward the bar. Perry's gaze snags on me, and he gives me a grin, holding up a glass as if to say hi before he finishes making a drink.

"That's the dude you've been hanging out with, right?" Casey asks.

"Yeah. Perry."

"He's hot." Jack nods at Perry, who nods back. I playfully push him. "What the hell was that for?"

Shit. I have no fucking idea why I did that, so I just shrug and say, "He's bi," because it doesn't matter if my friend wants to hook up with Perry or not. I've cockblocked him more than once, without meaning to, so I'm not doing it again.

As we get closer, I notice a blond guy go behind the counter. He says something to Perry, who nods, then winks at Brax. Ah, so that must be his brother. Perry is right. They don't really look alike. Ty is blond and looks more…I don't know, like a jock, which makes sense because he is one.

Luckily, some people leave as we approach, so we're able to step right up to the counter.

"Hey, Pu—" I basically jump over the counter and smack my hand against Perry's mouth to keep him from finishing.

"Don't you dare."

I pull my hand back, and Perry tells me, "Say the words." He means for me to tell him not to call me puppy, but I don't. I'm not sure why, but instead I just roll my eyes.

"What was that about?" Casey's brows draw together.

"Nothing. He just likes to give me shit."

"I saved his life. I'm allowed." Perry leans against the counter.

"You gonna introduce us or what?" Ty pokes his brother in the side with his finger.

"I didn't even grow up with him, and he's still annoying."

"No I'm not. You love me. Everyone loves me. I'm Tyson Langley, the funnier and better-looking brother. Let me guess, you're…party boy?" The knowing tone confirms Perry told him what happened between us. I try not to let my cheeks heat, but I don't succeed.

"What does that mean?" Avery asks.

"Just the friend I met at a party and saved his life," Perry cuts in. "Ty, this is Theo and…"

I add, "Avery, Casey, and—"

"Jack," he cuts in, giving all his attention to Perry.

Jesus, could he be any more obvious?

Perry smiles at him but doesn't seem to flirt back when he says, "Nice to meet you all. This is Ty, obviously, and his boyfriend, Daddy Brax."

"Hey, didn't the lacrosse team use to call you Asshole Bartender?" Casey teases.

Brax scowls at Ty. "Why are you making me be around people? You know I don't like them."

I try to stifle my laughter, but before anyone can call me on it, Ty says, "Yes, but you love me and are willing to make any sacrifice to spend as much time with me as possible."

"You're pushing it, Lacrosse." Brax's voice is lower, and I'm pretty sure whatever he just said is meant to get Ty all hot and bothered.

"I'm taking my break," Ty says to Perry, then drags Brax off the stool, and they go to the back.

"Are they…?"

"Yes," Perry answers before I can finish my sentence. "They have sex in public places. It's a thing."

Well, shit. My sisters and I definitely didn't know those kinds of things about each other, and I can't say I'm not thankful for it.

"So…what's your drink specialty?" Jack leans over the counter, similarly to how Perry was doing a moment ago. It puts them closer together.

"Hm…well, I'm fond of The Leg Spreader…Sex on the Beach, of course, but one of my favorites is a Screaming Orgasm. I'm very, very good at those." Perry's voice is low and flirty, but also playful. I can see him giving that response to anyone. It fits who he is, but my stomach cramps up.

"I'll take a Screaming Orgasm. Those are my favorites too," Jack answers, and before I can figure out what I'm doing and why, I'm tugging him off the counter. Clearly, he's leaving his car at the bar tonight and not being our DD.

"Okay, that's enough from you." I laugh nervously because there's really no reason for me to stop my friend from flirting with my other friend. I pat Jack's back awkwardly and suddenly want to crawl into a hole and hide. "I'll take a Screaming Orgasm too," I add because what the fuck else should I say?

Perry winks, and I'm pretty sure it's in my direction and not Jack's. "Coming right up."

He makes the drinks, and we pay for them. Spending money wasn't in my plan for tonight, but now I don't really have a choice.

The bar picks up, and Perry has to leave us to, you know, do his job. My friends move away from the counter, and unless I want to be a stalking weirdo, standing there alone waiting for Perry, I have to go with them.

I sip my drink, and while it's good, it's not as good as an orgasm, something I haven't had in a while unless I'm having them with myself.

Avery leads us to a group of guys that I don't recognize. "What's up, Jordan," he says to one of them and then I recognize the name. He's on the baseball team. Avery used to play baseball too in high school, so he's dragged me to a few games. I remember hearing him talk about Jordan before. I think they're kinda friends.

"Hey, man. How's it going? I'm surprised you have time to come out," Jordan replies.

"For-fucking-real. Football season can keep me busy as fuck sometimes."

Everyone starts talking, holding on a normal conversation while I nod and pretend to listen but my attention keeps getting pulled back to the bar, where I watch Perry work and talk to people. Everyone seems to enjoy chatting with him, Perry gesturing as he says stuff. I never realized he was such a hand talker.

Eventually a few people join us. I'm not sure who they are, but one of them is a pretty blonde girl, who stands beside me.

"You're Theo, right?"

My head whips in her direction, surprise blooming in my chest that she knows who I am. I'm usually not the guy who stands out. "Yeah…how?"

"I've seen you around. You're dating Whitney, right?"

I shake my head. "We broke up."

My gaze darts toward the bar again. A girl reaches over the counter and touches Perry's hair. Who is she? Is she someone he knows? Someone he's hooked up with?

"I'm sorry to hear that," the woman says, and damn, I don't know her name.

"It was for the best. I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Autumn."

"Hi, Autumn. I'm Theo."

She chuckles. "I know."

Shit. She does know, doesn't she? We already discussed this.

I look over at Perry again, and he's handing the woman a drink. Both their hands stay on the glass for one beat, two, three, four, five…Jesus Christ. How long can they both hold on to one stupid glass?

"Theo?" Autumn says, and I realize she's waiting for me to respond to something. The thing is, I have no idea what I'm supposed to respond to.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I asked if you're from around here, like, originally."

"The high desert. The Victorville area."

She starts to tell me about Oregon, where she moved from, and I try to pay attention, I really do, but I'm also totally curious about Perry. Every time my attention is pulled to him, I do my best to drag it back to Autumn…because she's nice…and pretty…and maybe I can find a new friend in her too.