Page 15 of Tongue-Tied

Dex gestures to Milo. “He thought you were my boyfriend.”

I nearly choke on my drink, though it’s not the first time the assumption was made. “We’ve gotten that before.”

“Have you two ever—” Kael inquires.

“Hell no!” I say at the same time as Dex says, “Strictly friends.”

My face is warm, and I can’t look at Dex—either because I’ll start laughing or I’ll die inside.

It’s not like we never considered it over the years, but even having a conversation revolving around fooling around made us laugh too hard. Plus, losing him as a friend would suck.

“Sorry for being curious.” Kael winces. “It’s just that you two are cute.”

“Right?” Milo adds. “They practically finish each other’s sentences.”

I bury my head in Dex’s shoulder and feel him chuckle. “Okay, I think we’ve had enough of this topic.”

“Let’s go play beer pong or something,” I say, and Dex’s eyes light up. “Don’t act so surprised. You admitted I can be fun.” Besides, just standing there like I’m waiting for something to happen with the coffee-cart guy feels too awkward.

“Hey, I wasn’t the one needing convincing. I’m down,” Dex says, and since it’s too crowded around the table, we opt for the dartboard instead. Kael and I team up against Dex and Milo, and it’s actually fun.

“Two out of three,” I say after we lose again.

Kael smirks. “Who knew you were so competitive?”

When Dex smiles gleefully, I’m even more determined to beat them.

But Kael and I aren’t very good at aiming for the center of the board. I smile anyway because it’s a fun diversion. “Maybe next time.”

“Shenanigans has a dart board too,” Milo says. “Maybe you can practice.”

I stick out my tongue as he walks away laughing.

“Be right back,” Dex says. “Gonna see if Ian needs help.”

I blink and look around, wondering how much time has gone by, and that feeling sets in again about the stupid fucking flower.

That’s when I see him. My crush from the coffee cart.

I stare with my mouth hanging open—he actually showed. My stomach churns because I’m woefully bad at making conversation, not to mention my gaydar is broken or has never worked to begin with.

And that becomes apparent as he walks straight up to me, and I say, “Came, you…you did.”

“Yeah, I figured, why not?” The guy’s eyebrows arch up. “Are you practicing your best Yoda voice?”

Oh my God, kill me now. “No…yeah…I mean…”

I tilt my head back and guzzle the rest of my drink.

I’m sure I look like a complete fool, especially when I start coughing. “Wrong pipe,” I say in a hoarse whisper while I hack my lungs out.

Kael claps me on the back, but I can’t seem to stop. “I’ll go get you some water.”

The guy seems uncomfortable as he looks around at the crowd, waiting for me to get my sputtering under control. Yeah, good luck with that.

“So, where’s your other friend?” he asks, and I know he means Dex. More than likely he showed up because of Dex and his charming ways.

My best friend materializes out of thin air, concern in his gaze, not only because my face is no doubt purple by now but also upon seeing my coffee-cart crush.

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