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“That waitress sure seemed sweet,” Sarah said to Gray. “Make sure you give her a good tip, Bun-bun.”
“Took her out in my truck,” Gray added, ignoring Sarah, clearly oblivious to the fact that no one cared about his stupid little story.
“Congratulations,” I said, lost in Christian’s eyes.
“The lake.”
I jerked my head in Gray’s direction. “What?”
“I took her to the lake, Kent.”
Rage swelled inside of me, and I knew at that very moment that Gray Collins would not be leaving the saloon with his life. “That’s the worst date story I’ve ever heard.”
“Took her right up to that old tree,” he said as I gripped Christian’s knee. “You remember what I told you, Bunny?” He leaned over, kissing Sarah on her cheek, his eyes never leaving mine. I kicked his shin under the table, but he barely even reacted.
“The lake?” She asked, seemingly oblivious to whatever the hell he was talking about.
“I told her that I’d been saving my heart for just the right person. That I’d know them when I saw them. And then I sawher,Kent. I saw her, and I knew exactly who I’d been saving it for. I knew that before her, no one else even came close.”
I closed my eyes and tried to find strength. Any level of strength. I would’ve settled for a single morsel. And then I pushed the anger down.
“I love you, Christian,” I blurted, opening my eyes and glaring at Gray. Gray winced when the words were out, his face twisted up in pain like I’d just stabbed him. Christian reached for me, cupping my face the same way Gray had just done with the defiler of sacred lakes sitting at his side. He tugged gently, pulling me to face him. “And I’m just so happy that I get to tell you that. Right here. For the first time. Right now. In front of Gray.”
Christian leaned in, whispering between kisses. “Dial it down. You’re doing great, but you’re spiraling.”
When he pulled away from me, I caught sight of Gray. He had his arms crossed over his chest, and his fists were clenched so tightly I was surprised he hadn’t punctured his skin with his fingernails.
“Would you mind grabbing me a drink, Bunny?” he said. I glanced down at his half-empty glass of orange juice. “Got something I need to say to Half-pint.” He looked over at her and forced a smile. “This won’t take long. Only need a minute.”
Sarah looked nervously at Gray before standing up from her chair and grabbing her purse. “Yeah. Sure, Bun-bun.” She rubbed her hand against the center of his shoulders and his entire body tensed under her touch.
“My widdle bunny-wabbit,”I mocked, once Sarah was out of earshot. Gray scowled at me like he’d just caught me slashing his tires. Obviously, I hadn’t, but if he didn’t get his manners in check soon, I could certainly see it as a possible outcome. I turned toward Christian, rubbing my hand against his cheek.
“Sorry. I thought it might be cute to try out,” I said.
“I think you deserve something a little better than Bunny, baby.”
Gray growled. He actually growled at us. “He ain’t your dang baby, Chris.”
Christian leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine. His voice was barely audible, the words meant just for me. “I’m going to get up and walk away for a minute. He looks like he’s ready to whoop my ass.”
Before I could scold him for abandoning me in my time of need, he was up and on his way to the bar, chasing after Sarah. The room around us swelled with laughter and revelry, but at that quiet table, in our secluded corner, I’d never felt more alone.
Finally, Gray broke the silence. “Why are you doing this? This is stupid. We both know this is just an act. The day you land Christian Thomas is the day I announce I’m an atheist.” He laughed at his little quip, but I wasn’t having it.
“You don’t think I can land a date?” I said, still focusing on the table in front of me.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Chris isn’t gay. He’s had girlfriends. Lots of them. Must’ve seen at least two dozen of them on his arm coming in for protection at the end of a date.”
“So? That proves nothing. Bisexuality is a thing. It exists. Is it that hard for you to believe that someone else might see me that way? Is it really that unbelievable that there might be someone out there that loves me back? Would that be so bad? Don’t I deserve that?”
“That’s not ... Dang it, Kent. That’s not what I’m saying. You’re just doing this to get back at me, but there’s nothing to get back at. I’m not doing any of this to hurt you.”
“Just because you’re not trying to, doesn’t mean that you aren’t. It doesn’t mean that this isn’t killing me. How could you invite me here knowing I’d have to watch you two together? I already have to see her when she pops up at the store. What’s next? Am I going to have to help you plan your bachelor party? Going to invite me to be your best man?”
His eyes widened like it was the best idea he’d ever heard. “Would you want—”
“Don’t you fuckingdarefinish that question, Gray Collins. I swear to God, they’ll be the last words you ever say. I could already scratch your eyes out for taking her to our spot. That’s our lake. Me and you, Gray. How could you?”
