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“Come, darling,” Nico said, tugging Isaiah gently. “Let’s go find our table.”
Isaiah tried not to stare as they threaded their way through the crowded room, but he couldn’t stop. Every time he looked, the guy’s hand was still on Darren. It had to be a date. Darren’s body language didn’t usually invite contact, so only someone . . . someone he was dating would do it.
“Oh, this is a nice table,” Nico said with gusto. “And such a good view.”
He spun around, clearly to draw all eyes to them, and Isaiah wanted to crawl under the table. Across the room, Darren and his date turned to look at Nico. Darren’s startled gaze landed on Isaiah.
“I’m going over—”
“No.” Nico spun him around before he took a step. “You are going to sit down and not make a scene. He’s on a date.”
“Yeah, but . . .”
“But nothing. He had this planned before you asked him to come tonight. And he told you the truth.”
“But it’s a guy.”
“You said you wondered if he played for our team. There’s your answer.”
God, he fucking hated Nico being calm about this. “Yeah, I wondered, but . . . I’m still shocked. I assumed he’d date girls. Publicly, at least.”
“You know what my nonno says about when you assume.”
“Ah, shut it.” He did not need Nico quoting his Italian grandfather to him.
Isaiah plopped down hard in his chair. There was no way this was real. Darren fucking Gage was out? So did that mean those times Darren’s gazes lingered . . . those flushed cheeks . . .
“I can hear the hamster running on the wheels in your brain, ’Saiah.”
“I doubt you’re guessing the exact direction of my thoughts.”
“I don’t know. You’re awfully flushed.” Nico raised an eyebrow, daring him to deny it. “But I don’t understand why. Last weekend you said even if he was gay you wouldn’t date him. What’s changed?”
Nico was right. What had changed? “Nothing.”
“Oh, ’Saiah, you are such a bad liar. What’s changed is you got to know him and suddenly he’s not the prick you assumed he was. You can admit you’re wrong sometimes.”
“I wasn’t wrong. I mean, look at him, he bought the best seats in the house. Him. A student. And he brought a blind date to a fundraiser.”
“Rrreeow.” Nico made his fingers into claws and scratched at the air. “Catty much. Also, for a blind date, he got lucky. The guy’s kinda cute.”
He so wasn’t. “I just can’t believe that’s his type.”
“Oh. My. God. You’re jealous!” Nico giggled.
“You’re an idiot. I am not jealous.”
“Oh, this is too much for my poor heart. I’m getting the vapors!” Nico used his best Southern belle voice and fanned his face with his hand. “I’m getting us drinks.”
Isaiah nodded, glad his friend was giving him a break. In Nico’s current state of amusement, Isaiah would be over him real fast.
Nico patted his shoulder on his way. “All kidding aside, leave him alone. It’s a date. Do not go bother him.”
“I’m not planning to.”
“You’re thinking about it. Don’t.” Nico melted into the crowd.
Isaiah wasn’t really planning on going over there. He did have a simmering question or two, though.
He stole another glance at Darren. Was it his imagination, or did Darren seem more interested in his drink than his date?
After a long sip, Darren turned, catching Isaiah watching him. His scowl faded, replaced by a hint of a smile. He gave Isaiah a brief wave of recognition before his jaw clenched and he turned back to his . . . date.
The first act was announced, and Darren immediately focused on the musicians. Isaiah recognized the trumpet player from his first year at school. He’d crushed it every time Isaiah had heard him perform. Tonight, even more so.
The quartet was good, but they’d be better if the piano player had a bit more life in her playing. As it stood, she was passable.
Nico put a drink in front of him, and as he shimmied into his seat, Isaiah stole another peek at Darren.
Staring at the stage, Darren smiled, tapped his expensive loafers, and drummed the table to the music. To his left, his date looked bored and disinterested. He checked his watch and nudged Darren.
Darren’s obvious enjoyment melted, and he turned his head. They shared a word, and Darren shook his head and nodded to the stage. Date boy flopped back in his chair, and Isaiah could practically hear the sigh.
“You’re doing it again, dear,” Nico whispered in his ear.
“If that’s a date, then you and I are married.”
“I never said it was a good date.” Nico raised his red drink, moving the tiny umbrella to the side of the fruit.
Isaiah grabbed his and sniffed the contents. Just cola. Nico respected his need not to drink. He smiled at that and raised his glass. A tiny ching-ching later, he promised to stop focusing on Darren and enjoy the show.
