It’s quiet, and I lift my head to see all of them watching me. “Like, like him?”
“Like, want to date him?”
“Like, you want to love him?”
Their voices come at once, and I lean back in my chair, shocked. “Jesus, what is this,Jerry Springer?”
“We’re just excited. You’re the only one who’s single except for Noah—” Evan cuts off, shooting a glare at Alek. “Um, so are you dating him?”
“You want to know?” I clear my throat, and they gather closer. “Nosy fuckers,” I yell, and they recoil as I laugh.
“Rude,” Alek mutters as he rubs Evan’s ears like I caused damage. “We just want you to be as happy as we are.”
“Then we can double—uh, triple date!” Sky joins in as Bones glares down at something on his plate, making Sky swear. “Shit, baby, sorry.” He grabs the veggie and puts it on his plate. “I thought I got it all. Please don’t be mad.”
“Be faster next time,” Bones snaps, but he’s smiling, and Sky kisses him.
“You got it, baby. You can punish me later.”
“Please stop,” Alek and I say at the same time.
Bones grins, just as crazy as his boyfriend. “Where is Noah?” he asks, and I swallow as I look down. I feel their tension, and I know it’s because of me. “What? Is he eating alone again? He ate with us before.”
He did. Did he stop because of me? Lifting my head, I find him eating in his office, and my heart aches for him. He gave up his garage, his staff, and his friends to make me comfortable while he suffers alone.
This is just another reason I should leave, so he doesn’t have to tiptoe around me in his own garage.
“What, did I say something wrong?” Bones whispers.
“I’ll tell you later,” Sky murmurs.
“You don’t have to gossip. I’m right here,” I mutter as I look at Bones. “You didn’t say anything wrong. He won’t eat with us becauseI’m here, and he doesn’t want me to be uncomfortable, or he’s worried I’ll pounce on him or something.”
“You two seriously need to bang it out already,” Evan says, and we all look at him. “What? It’s true. It’s what helped Alek and me, though he did punch me the first time.”
“You hit him?” I gape, and Alek actually blushes.
“I apologized. He’s right. Just fuck it out already.”
“What about Conan?” Bones inquires.
“Fuck them both,” Skylar comments with a shrug. “Mackie is a young man with a growing appetite. It’s simple.”
We hear a door open, and we all fall silent, lifting our heads as Noah walks into the lounge and grabs a drink. When he turns, he freezes, his eyes widening when he finds us all staring. I drop my gaze and focus on eating as my phone buzzes.
Tugging it from my pocket, I check my texts, a smile curving my lips when I see Conan’s name. Evan is right, we are getting close, and I like him. Hell, I would have slept with him. Things have developed rapidly since I listened to his accidental voice message, and the flirting has gotten a lot more intense. I’m not angry about that. He makes me feel good, and it’s what I need.
Conan: Baby boy, it’s been three hours. I should be working, but I keep checking my phone.
Conan: That sounds extremely needy.
Biting back my smile, I type out a response.
Mackie: It did. I like it though. How about you pick me up from work and finally cook for me at your place?
Conan: I’ll be there at six on the dot. Maybe even earlier.
Mackie: See you then. You better work so you don’t lose track of time and leave late.
