Page 30 of The Forever Vault

“Well, this was fun, guys. We should do it more often,” Orion said to the group as we filed outside.

His unfortunate choice of words did not go unnoticed by the less mature of us in the crowd. It drew a few snickers.

Colton picked up the joke. “We do it often enough. I don’t know about you and Austin.”

“Not what he meant, asshat,” Austin practically growled. “We do it plenty. Thank you!”

“I meant the dinner, of course. It’s nice to have a big group of friends. And besides Zeph, we’re all Olympians.”

“Hey, I don’t need to be an Olympian, I’m a Super Bowl MVP.” Zeph waved his ring in the air.

“I can’t believe you wear that out. Isn’t it worth like fifty grand?” I asked.

“How else can I show it off if I don’t wear it?”

“The motto of his life,” Colton added.

“Thanks for the autograph. It was nice to meet you,” Miles held out his hand to Zeph. Zeph grabbed it and pulled him in for a hug, then grabbed Colton too, and they surrounded him. Miles was sandwiched in the middle and I could barely see him. He looked like he was in shock afterwards, but happy.

Ezra came out of nowhere to give me a hug. “Good to see you again.” I didn’t remember meeting him before, but I just smiled and said, “Likewise.”

“Hands off my boyfriend, please,” Luke said, pulling Ezra’s hands off my back.

“Jeez, everyone’s so possessive all of a sudden. I thought flirting was what you guys were about?”

“Dicks first, remember? First rule of the discussin’ dicks club. Flirtin’s second,” Colton quipped.

“Find yourself a boyfriend and then watch your behavior change when everyone flirts with him,” Orion replied. “Trust me, it’s different.”

“Need a boyfriend for that. Am I right, Miles?”

“Oh-uh…yeah. Wait, Ezra, you’re not asking me out, are you?”

“Why? You wanna date me?”

“No-no… no. Just confused.”

“Well, ouch.”

“I mean, you’re great. Don’t get me wrong. Tonight’s been… a lot. I’m, uh, definitely feeling overstimulated.”

I did not imagine it. Zeph’s chest was actually puffed out.

A few minutes later, everyone else had said their goodbyes. The guys were waiting for Luke by their Uber. Colton and Zeph were waiting for me. It was close enough to walk back. Whether it was luck or foresight, Luke hadn’t told anyone about the porn actors. Otherwise, I had a feeling we’d be having a pool party at the hotel. It was always a possibility after their events were over. Ezra and Miles probably wouldn’t find a boyfriend, but maybe they could have some fun?

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked Luke.

“Yup, I can swing by the hotel again. If you want?”

“Sounds good.” I leaned in, grabbing his hands and resting my forehead against his. “Miss you already.”

“Oh, so we’re that kind of couple, are we?”

“Of course, schmoopie.”

“I think I like tiger better.”

“Whatever you say…tiger.”