Page 22 of Call Me Sir

It’s a little stiff between us but I know once our plates and glasses are cleaned it’ll relax some.

“Oh wow,” he says after his first bite.

The little candle he lit between us flickers in the wind and makes it easier to see his bright smile.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s a little restaurant originally from the part of the city where I grew up. It’s run by the daughter now and she was able to move it to the better part of town.”

I love how thoughtfully he watches me. The discomfort gets to me and I find myself scanning the horizon of glowing lights.

“Thanks for helping me with Danny. Honestly, I didn’t want it to end, but it needed to.”

I lean my ear in to listen.

“I… it was fun while it lasted.”

His statement leaves a lot to know. “You seem like a fun person.”

Cole laughs. “Yeah. Well, sometimes fun isn’t better than being happy…”

Those hazel eyes widen in horror and it leads him to gulping down more wine.

“Slow down,” I say with a half laugh.

“In most cases I’ll listen to you, but just this once, no.”

We both laugh as he chugs the rest.

The next few minutes are spent twirling noodles on forks and sipping at the wine.

Though it doesn’t take long for Cole to blurt a question. “Why do you hate me?”

I frown. “Hate you?”

I’m only saying this cause my buzz is back. “I could’ve sworn you hated me up until, well until you started talking to me.”

Searching my thoughts, I search the ground like it’ll tell me what to say.

It doesn’t.

“I get told I’m cold by a lot of people. And sometimes, my jealousy gets the better of me.”

“Jealousy?”

“That you’re…”

Out.

I can’t bring myself to say it. So I sip my wine, hoping it’ll give me the courage to keep going. I try a different way to say what I want to. “People know you’re gay. It’s no secret.”

An understanding snaps in his gaze.

“Most people would never think I’m gay. Hell, I didn’t know until I was almost 18. I was still in denial at that point.”

I’ve over shared. This was more than he was bargaining for, I’m sure of it.

“I’ll start cleaning up,” I say, standing quickly.

Clearing the table I try not to smirk as Cole slurps more noodles making the silliest moaning sounds. I’d be lying if I said they didn’t make me horny.

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