If it wasn’t COVID, then it must have been one hell of a cold to make him this crazy.
44
Kaden
IknowI’mstaring,and I hate when people do that, but I can’t stop. I can’t wrap my fucking head around it.
For days now, I’ve been trying to come up with the reason for Seth’s sudden change in appearance. And I can’t fucking get it. He’s done something, and I’m going to find out what it is before I lose my goddamn mind.
Seth’s by his station, preparing for a customer when Iggy drops down beside me on the couch.
“You’re staring at him again. Did you have a fight?”
“Seth and I don’t fight.”
“Then what’s with the face?” she says, and I realize I’m frowning while staring at him, which probably made it seem more like I was glaring than trying to figure this shit out. I turn to face her.
“Do you think there’s something different about him?” I nod at Seth.
Iggy shifts her gaze, tilting her head while giving him a once-over. “Different how?”
“I don’t know. That’s what I was asking you.”
“Then no. He looks the same. He’s been to the hairdresser though, I think. Looks good. Maybe I should—”
“I know he’s been at the hairdresser! That’s not it. Just, forget about it!” I wave at her. Glancing back at Seth, he clocks me with a cocked eyebrow.
“Take a picture, babe. It’ll last longer. I might even let you take a dick pick if you ask nicely.” He pumps his eyebrows and winks. The picture of his dick in my mind does something to me, but I ignore it and frown. Iggy laughs as Seth turns back around.
“Charming as ever,” she says, turning back to face me. “See? He’s the same Seth he’s always been.”
No, he’s not. That’s just it. Because Seth’s suddenly not just Seth, my best friend. He’s Seth, myhotbest friend. And when the hell did that happen?
I mean, objectively, yeah, Seth’s always been a good-looking guy. But when did he become hot?
I know he’s always had blue eyes, but have they always been the color of fucking sapphire or whatever? He’s not as broad as I am, but now that white tee is stretching over his chest like it was getting fucking paid.
And sometimes he smells like almond—like right under his jaw, where it meets his neck—and it’s kind of driving me insane.
He’s got straight, white teeth, and a pouty bottom lip, and an ass I’ve caught myself staring at from time to time, and it’s like I’ve never seen him before, and when the hell did this happen?
Is it the hooking up? Is that what’s making me see things I’ve never seen before? Because we hooked up, and I’ve seen him naked so many times, I now confuse him with someone I’m attracted to? But I thought I wasn’t bi? Doesthismean I’m bi? But wouldn’t I have noticed before?
I mean, sure, there are people not figuring out their sexuality until late, but if I’m attracted to guys in general, wouldn’t I haveknown that already? I’ve seen a lot of dudes in my life, but I’ve never been attracted to any of them.
But I’m definitely attracted to Seth, that’s for sure. I can’t keep my eyes off him. What the fuck?
“I was thinking,” Seth says, dropping down on the couch beside Iggy, hunching forward and I catch myself staring at his arms. Toned, and slightly tanned, and—
“Maybe we could do Taco Tuesday at home some time?”
“Sure,” Iggy says, eyes glued to her phone.
“I mean, cook it too,” he adds.
“What?” Iggy whips her head his way. “Have you lost your mind? The whole point of eating out is that you don’t have to cook the food yourself. That’s the whole point.”
“I mean, not the whole point, right?” Seth says glancing between me and Iggy.
