AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So, since I convinced you to come out, does that mean I have to pay?” Nick asks as the waitress walks away after taking our drink order. It’s Friday night after a long week, and when he invited me out, I almost declined. But my mother insisted I take some time for myself and decided to keep Oliver overnight. Plus, he made friends with one of her neighbors’ kids, so he was begging to stay to play with his new friend anyway.
“Yup. You initiated this date, so I’m going to order the lobster,” I joke.
Nick licks his lips. “Make it two then. Calories don’t count tonight.”
I chuckle and then lean back in my chair, surveying the busy restaurant around us. The bar in the middle of the restaurant is packed as a baseball game plays on televisions hung along the ceiling. Booths and tables are filled with families and couples out for a Friday night meal, and the smell of fried food and beer fills the air.
“So how have you been, man? Sorry, I haven’t checked in on you since we signed the papers for your office, but life’s been busy, and I knew you had some settling in to do. Plus, I’ve been a little preoccupied myself,” he says with a smirk on his lips.
“Busy with who?” I ask, knowing that the only reason for that remark would have to be his happiness over a woman.
“Elena,” he says with a roll of his tongue.
“And who is Elena?”
“The woman I’m seeing. And fuck, Ethan…she’s gorgeous. Olive skin, green eyes, and long dark hair. She’s a Spanish teacher and last night, we role-played teacher and the naughty student…it was the best sex of my life.”
I hold up my hand. “Dude, I didn’t need to know that.”
“I don’t care. I’m going to tell anyone I fucking can because it was so fucking hot.” He shivers from his memories. “Have you ever been spanked with a ruler? If not, you should try it, man.”
A mental image appears, and I slap it away as fast as I can. “I feel like you’re sharing too much this early in the evening.”
He laughs. “Aw, come on, man. If we were still back in college, we’d be trading stories over the girls we hooked up with all night.”
“That was a long time ago, Nick. Things have changed.”
He grimaces. “You’re right, dude. Sorry. But haven’t you been sowing some wild oats since your divorce?”
“And when the fuck would I have time to do that? Up until recently, Oliver was with me 24-7 except for when I was at work.” The reminder of how long it’s been since I’ve been laid instantly brings up images of Amelia. I’m surely going to hell for lusting after my friend’s sister, even if we’re not exactly besties. But that was the point of going out tonight. Nick insisted we hang out, rekindle our bromance, and I’m definitely not in a position to decline the offer of a friend in a new place—well, new as in not where I was just living.
“Fair point. By the way, I didn’t tell my sister about your divorce and stuff. I figured it wasn’t my place to say.”
My heart rate increases at the mention of her.
So Amelia doesn’t know everything about me? I thought for sure her brother would have mentioned something when she found out he sold me my office space. “Well, I appreciate that. It’s not something I like to go around advertising, but when people find out, it sort of explains why I do what I do.”
“I know. But just so you know, I thought my sister was going to rip my nipple off when I told her I knew you. So, please don’t be a dick to her.”
I scratch the back of my neck. “Uh, well…”
“You already were, weren’t you?”
I struggle to get comfortable in my chair. “We’ve had some not-so-pleasant run-ins, you could say.”
Nick shakes his head at me. “Look, you’re both adults, so I’m just going to say this—be careful messing with my sister, Ethan. She’s a force to be reckoned with. And when she feels strongly about something, like what she does for a living, she will defend it wholeheartedly.”
Yeah, I think I’m beginning to notice that. “Noted.”
He wipes his hands against one another in the air. “All right, that’s all I have to say, and now I’m washing my hands of this and not getting involved. Just don’t make me regret helping you out, man. Otherwise, it won’t just be her wrath you feel.”
Fuck, now I feel like shit. “I won’t.”
Staring off into space, now I know I need to try to make things right with Amelia. Nick is one of the only friends I have in LA, and I don’t want me acting like a pompous ass to his sister to jeopardize that friendship. I make a mental note to stop by her office on Monday and try to smooth things over.
The truth is, I’m not usually a dick, but her presence has rattled me, both professionally and personally. She’s a threat to my business and my mind. I can’t stop thinking about her and what she looks like naked—and that’s a problem.
“What are you looking at?” Nick asks, pulling me back to our conversation.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just weird being out without Oliver.” Nice save, Ethan. Quick on your feet as always.
“I know.” He clasps me on the shoulder. “But this is good for you. I promise, I’ll make sure to keep you company when I can.”
“You mean when Elena isn’t spanking you with rulers?” I tease him.
A voice above me cuts me off before he can answer. “Um, not sure what conversation we walked into, but I feel like that comment needs explaining.” I look to my right and find two men standing beside our table, grinning as Nick scoots his chair back to greet them.
“Jeffrey, my man. So good to see you.” Nick and Jeffrey share an embrace and then Jeffrey reaches for my hand
“Jeffrey.”
“Ethan.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
Then he greets the other guy. “Damien, long time no see.”
Damien takes one of the empty chairs at the table. “I know. It’s been like what, two hours?”
“Ethan, this is Damien, Jeffrey’s colleague, best friend, and the boyfriend of one of Amelia’s friends, Charlotte. I’m currently helping Damien find a house for him and Charlotte.”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t know about it, so don’t say anything.”
“Couldn’t if I wanted to,” I reply. “I have no idea who Charlotte is. But it’s nice to meet you.” Damien and I shake hands.
Jeffrey takes the seat next to Nick as the waitress comes by and delivers our beers. “Can I get you something?”
“I’ll have what they’re having,” he says.
“Same for me,” Damien replies.
She nods and retreats from the table. “So, Ethan. Nick tells me you two go way back?” Jeffrey asks as we all settle in again. I know Nick mentioned drinks with the guys, but I guess I didn’t realize I’d have to make small talk with the guys. Jesus, it really has been that long since I’ve been out.
“Yeah, college. It’s been years since we’ve seen each other though. I just moved to Los Angeles from San Diego about a month ago.”
“Ethan has had some life changes happening recently…hence, why we needed a boy’s night out.”
Jeffrey leans forward. “Girl problems?”
I huff out a laugh. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. Recently divorced. Well, not super recently. A few years ago, but I moved here to be closer to my mom. She helps a lot with my son.”
Jeffrey winces. “Man, I’m sorry.”
“Nah, it’s okay. It was for the best.”
“Is your ex-wife okay with the move?”
“Well, she’s not around or involved in my son’s life, so I don’t really give a shit what she thinks,” I say a little too harshly.
Damien hisses. “Damn. I take it you’re not a big fan of hers?”
“Nope,” I say matter-of-factly, ready to move on from this topic. The second I start discussing Monica, my blood pressure goes through the roof. “But enough about that. I’m just glad to be out with some adults for a change.”
“Well, then maybe you can be my new wingman. Damien is practically engaged now, and since Nick is too busy getting hit in the ass with rulers, that means you’re the next best thing.” Jeffrey leans forward in his seat.
Nick purses his lips and speaks before I can reply. “Um, she’s a teacher, man.”
