“Frank’s also going to school at Cardinal Falls Community College,” I say, putting my arm over his shoulder. “He’s working on a degree in data science.”
“Ugh,” Oliver says before slapping his hand over his mouth. “Sorry, ignore me. I’m one of the only ones in the group who isn’t good with numbers. I thought maybe I was getting someone on my side for once.”
“Don’t worry about that. Numbers and I aren’t good friends, but they happen to come with the territory.”
“Don’t let him fool you,” I say. No chance I’m letting Frank get away with talking poorly about himself. “Frank’s doing great in his math classes. Even got an A on his last exam.” Not counting the final exam, which he hasn’t gotten the results back from yet.
Given the look I get from Frank and the way his cheeks turn the color of a tomato, I’m sure he’s unhappy with my bragging. Tough. I have no intention of toning it down. Notwhen there are so many reasons to be proud of him and everything he’s been through.
“Better than I ever did.” Oliver takes a long sip of his drink, and silence descends over the group for a moment.
“Okay, why are we all in the kitchen?” Aaron bursts into the room, hands on hips, head tilted to one side. “I know it’s not Matthias’s house, but my living room is plenty big enough for everyone.”
“Really? Did you not notice the crazy discussion going on in there? None of us have any interest in discussing the intricacies of tax statuses,” Tyler says. Since his boyfriend is one of the offenders in that conversation, it’s a completely fair statement.
“This is what I get for agreeing to host.” Aaron sighs and bends over the counter, putting his head down. Oliver reaches out and rubs between Aaron’s shoulder blades a few times.
“It’s not that bad. We’re having plenty of fun in here,” Oliver reassures him.
“Plus, we’re closer to the beer.” Tyler holds up his half-full bottle.
“Fine. That backyard of yours better be done soon. This is the last time I’m hosting.”
I practically snort. Last time and first time, apparently. I think we’ve all been over here separately, but Aaron tends to limit the people who come over. Even then, he tends to find a way to get us to host. Whether it’s for video game night or dinner, somehow, he’s never the host. It’s one of his superpowers.
“Frank was telling us about how he’s a math whiz.” Oliver prompts, restarting our conversation.
“Oh, that’s not… no.” Frank stumbles over his words. “I barely got through my calculus course.” I’m going to have a chat with him about his self-talk later. It’s not terrible, but I’d rather hear him lifting himself up. He works so hard and has overcome so much to get to this point that he should be proud.
“Well, if you need any help, let me know,” Aaron offers. Honestly? Aaron would probably be more helpful than I am. He’s the real math genius in this group. I’m getting by on what I remember and a few usefulYouTubetutorials.
“Thanks.” Frank’s face is back to being a bright shade of red. It’s so fucking cute. “Matthias is doing a great job of tutoring me.”
“I’m sorry, did I hear that correctly? Matthias is tutoring you. In math?” Tyler sets his beer down a little too hard on the counter, a small amount shooting out to the top of the bottle. “Frank. No.”
“What?” Frank looks back and forth between Tyler and Aaron. “He’s doing a great job.”
My poor Firecracker. My friends are menaces and set on pulling him into their web.
“Are you okay?” Tyler asks. “Matthias tutored me once when I was getting through my economics course. It’s a small miracle that we’re still friends.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” Okay, it was a hundred percent that bad. The last straw was when we had a full-on screaming match in the library and got kicked out. Probably just in time to avoid it becoming physical. By which I mean, Tyler was seconds away from punching me in the face.
“Not. That. Bad.” Tyler huffs. “Nathan?” he bellows. “Get in here.”
Frank turns to me and, for a second, I think maybe I’m the one who should have a safeword.
“What?” Nathan asks. Colt follows close behind him. “Why are you yelling?”
“Matthias is tutoring Frank.” Tyler says it with the tone of a child tattling on their sibling.
“Oh my God. Frank, are you okay? Blink twice if you need us to rescue you.”Yes, yes. Everyone is so funny. “Seriously, though, is he treating you okay? He tends to get a little bossy in these situations.”
And there it is. Frank turns to me, eyes wide. I can see him searching for the right words. Trying to figure out what he’s supposed to say—or not say—in front of my friends.
“Thank you all for your concern, but I can assure you that I’ve matured over the years. I’m perfectly capable of helping my boyfriend study without it turning into an issue.” There. That should put this whole discussion to rest.
Except everyone is still staring at me. The expressions have changed from serious to amused. I run back over the last thing I said.Boyfriend.I called Frank my boyfriend. Perhaps that’s the kind of thing I should discuss with him before I go announcing it to the room?
