Page 45 of Wingmen

“Don’t apologize for putting up good numbers. It’s not your fault I don’t know when to quit. That wasn’t dumb, you were crushing it.”

Elliot felt a rush of embarrassed pride. “Yeah, but I shouldn’t’ve been trying to hit your number like that. I was flexing.”

There was a small silence, and when he looked at Dustin, Dustin was smiling. “So youweretrying to beat my PR.”

Elliot sighed. “Uh huh.”

“So you know what it is?”

“Yep.”

“So youdohave a crush.”

That landed like an anvil in the middle of Elliot’s chest, and his face went red hot.

It’s not a crush!I don’t have a crush! It’s just a playlist. I’m just a fan. It’s just a private playlist full of hundreds of clips that Istudybecause I want to be the best. Becauseyou’rethe best. That’s all. It was one time in high school! I never did it again! Okay I did itonemore time after that with the cowboy movie. But they shouldn’t ever have made that movie. It was confusing. Nobody knew what to do with themselves after that!

Out loud, he said, “Acrush?Youwish,” and stood there, glaring across the water.

“Sorry,” said Bennet. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Maybeyouhave a crush,” Elliot shot back. “You’re the one who–” He couldn’t finish the sentence, and turned to the river again, scowling.

Beside him, Bennet sighed and turned away from the rail. Elliot followed as he started walking back. A woman went past the other way with headphones in, murmuring, “Good morning.”

Dustin checked over his shoulder as she went out of earshot behind them, then said, “You’re right. I did. And it was completely inappropriate. And I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” said Elliot.God dammit, not ‘fine’ again!He took a deep breath, and amended. “You don’t have to be sorry. I kissed you.”

That was probably the most terrifying thing he’d ever said in his life.

Bennet said, “Okay. But you didn’t do anything else.”

Didn’t do anything else?! I jizzed all over your t-shirt, dog!

“What do you mean I didn’tdoanything?” he hissed. “I…we…I kissed you!I started it!”

“Right, but you didn’t ask for the rest of it.” Dustin lowered his voice as they went back under the bridge. They were walking very close now, like two people planning a heist or something. “You didn’t say all that was okay. I shouldn’t’ve done that without asking you.” He suddenly stopped, catching Elliot’s arm and said, “Wait…you know that’s how consent works, right?”

Elliot came to a halt, rolling his eyes. Yes, he knew about consent. But in the heat of the moment, if stuff was already happening, you didn’t kill the vibe to make sure everything was going okay. It was pretty fucking obvious if it wasn’t.

“Did you just roll your eyes?” said Dustin.

Elliot shook off his hand. “Yes, I know how consent works. We were already kissing, it was fine.”

“Okay, that’s not” –Dustin caught his arm again– “how it works. You have to consent toeverything. Like…piece by piece.”

Elliot made a face. “People don’t actually do that.”

Dustin looked stunned. “Yes, they do.”

“Sure, okay. So we’re in the back of your car in the middle of things and you’re gonna stop and say, ‘Oh by the way, did you want me to suck your dick?’”

That came outwaylouder than he’d meant it to, and he snapped his mouth closed. They were under the bridge and there was no one nearby, but he could feel his words ringing off the concrete overhead.

Dustin continued to stare at him. “Ideally?” he said. “Yes.”

“You think a dude with his pants around his ankles is gonna turn down getting his dick sucked?”