Frowning, I consider the offer, then shrug. That’s late enough in the day that it doesn’t mess with my plans to read this morning, and the longer I think about it, the more having a few beers with the guys sounds appealing, especially after the week I’ve had. It’s been a while since we last got together outside work, so that would be nice.
Giving a thumbs-up emoji as my response, I set the phone back down, staring at it warily. I want to understand what just happened to me, but I can’t remember the last time I was disappointednotto receive a text, especially from someone I wasn’t dating. Whatever. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything significant. I’m being paranoid.
After breakfast, I wash the dishes. It only takes a few more minutes to clean the kitchen until it looks spotless again, but once it’s done, I feel like I can finally relax. Making another cup of coffee, I pick up my book and head to the living room.
I pull the doorwall open to the back deck and listen to the sound of the rain still pouring down outside. Petrichor fills the air, and I can’t help but close my eyes as I inhale deeply. It smells earthy and green, and instantly, I’m no longer in my living room—not really. I’ve been transported to a moss-covered forest full of magic and wonder, with nature’s music all around me, and instead of curling up on the couch, I’m tucked away in the cozy hollow of a tree filled with lush pillows and blankets, hidden away from the world. And just like that, once I am settled in and start reading, all my worries and confusion vanish.
Chapter Four
Dinner Dates
“Istillcan’tgetoverthe look on Frank’s face when you grabbed him like that,” Marcus boasts, grinning wide. “Fucking priceless. I wish I would have thought to take a picture.”
We’re at our usual table in the corner of Lucky’s bar, the four of us sitting across from each other, and there’s a massive pile of empty plates and beer glasses between us. It’s the only place to grab a beer for ten miles in any direction, sticking out like a sore thumb on a stretch of road with nothing but farmland surrounding it, but it’s homey. The food might be shit, but the regulars would rather die than admit it.
By now, we’re on our fourth round of beers. It’s probably the last of the night, but we’re savoring them, trying to stretch out the evening.
“I bet he’s pissing himself,” Ben pipes in with a cheesy grin.
“I doubt it.” I sigh. “You should have seen the look he gave me. He might be plotting my murder.”
Marcus smirks. “He’s just pissed you made him look like an ass in front of the whole shop. He deserves it, honestly. It’s time someone stood up to him. Better you than me, though.”
“I’m not planning on making a habit of it. It was hopefully a one-time thing. But he was being obnoxiously homophobic.” I grimace.
“I bet Luke loves you now,” Eric says out of nowhere.
I stiffen and snap my head in his direction, my brows arching with a mind of their own. I try to school my expression to look less shocked than I feel.
“Careful how you say that, dude.” Ben flashes Eric a sly grin. “The man’s gay, remember? It means something different to him.”
“Shut up, asshole. I just meant because someone stood up for him,” Eric defends, furrowing his brow. “Why do you have to make it weird?”
“You’re the one who said he’s in love.”
“Notin love, you fucking idiot.”
I can’t help but clench my jaw and stare at the table as they go back and forth. It’s not unusual for them to do this now and again, though it’s relatively tame compared to most conversations I’ve witnessed. Still, the topic makes me somewhat anxious.
Marcus suddenly clears his throat with an air of authority, and I wonder if he noticed my discomfort. “Guys, come on,” he interjects, arching a single brow. “Let’s play nice, okay? Ethan went to the trouble of sticking up for the guy against Frank. Don’t you two start making jokes, or he’ll beat your asses next.”
Ben and Eric laugh, throwing out lighthearted apologies, and I grin sheepishly. I shoot Marcus a grateful look, and he winks. Ah. So, hedidnotice.
“Are we still good for the camping trip Labor Day weekend?” he asks, blissfully switching topics.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“We’re trying to find a sitter for the kids,” Ben groans. “Laura’s mom was gonna take them, but now she’s decided she’s going out of town.”
“What about your parents?” Marcus frowns.
“They’ve already got plans to drive out to Grand Rapids that weekend. My grandma is the only one I have left, but I don’t know if she’ll be up to watching three hellions.”
Eric’s eyes widen in horror. “Ben, your grandma is ninety-three years old. You can’t do that to her. I’ll ask Liz if her parents could watch them with Jackson. He’d love having friends over for the weekend, and I’m sure they won’t mind.”
“Really? That would be awesome if they could. Otherwise, we’ll probably have to back out.”
I sit and listen quietly while they discuss their plans. It’s not uncommon for me. Whenever the conversation veers into the subject of kids, I’m always the odd man out since I’m the only one in the group who doesn’t have any. I’m also the only one who’s never been married. What can I say? Forever the bachelor, I guess.
