Page 41 of Riley

Grayson smirked, and I could see the resemblance to his sister. They both had the same look of mischief.

“It’s called a Pumpkinhead. Tastes like pumpkin pie.”

“Gross,” I said, as Grayson laughed.

“It’s not so bad if you chuck it really fast,” he teased.

“Yeah, that’s the point, right? Fastest way to drunk is with a bunch of shots.”

Grayson shrugged as he shot his in one swift motion, offering me the other.

“I prefer to get shitfaced on an exquisitely aged cab, but alas, straight men have the worst taste in drinks, I’m afraid.”

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as I shook my head. Thankfully, I wasn’t the only gay man at the strip club tonight. Though Grayson, Henry, Drew, and Taylor looked far more comfortable with all the beautiful women surrounding our party than I felt at the moment. Even surrounded by the sights and sounds, they didn’t seem to notice much more than their significant others.

In fact, as I surveyed the bar, I could see Drew and Taylor grinding on one another with smiles plastered all over their faces like lovesick teenagers.

I wished it were that easy for me. That I could have an ounce of sex appeal like Drew Axel, or the confidence of Grayson.

I took the shot from his hands, but my gaze was set on something else. Someone else. The object of my turmoil.

Ever since our car ride, something was different. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but whatever it was, was driving me crazy. All I wanted to do was give the guy a hug and tell him I was sorry, for whatever it was I did, because clearly I was an idiot, and I’d donesomething.

I watched as Eric and my brother toasted another round of shots. I thought it was the third one.

Eric seemed to get along with my brother swimmingly. Granted, they’d met before, but we’d all been far too preoccupied with our game to properly make each other’s acquaintances or get to know one another.

I watched as a woman in shorts and a bikini top sauntered over to my brother, squeezing between him and Eric.

She threw her arms around Eric, making a kissy face as she took a selfie with him. Though I couldn’t blame her. In his hot pink shirt, tight black jeans, with his gorgeous face and the charisma that just rolled off of him every time he walked into a room.

“You know you are allowed to have fun too,” Grayson said softly.

“I am having fun,” I grumbled as I downed my shot.

Grayson twisted his lips. “Aaron is having fun. Your little boyfriend is having fun. You... you arewatching.You’re stalling.”

I shot Grayson a raised eyebrow of my own. “For starters, Aaron is the one who should be having fun because this is abouthim.About the perfect bachelor party,” I said with a sigh. “And Eric isnotmy boyfriend. I’m observing, you know, to take in theambiancefor scientific purposes,” I drawled sarcastically.

Grayson shook his head, raising an eyebrow. “Really? I mean, you brought him, so I assumed...”

My gaze settled on Eric’s bright smile as Aaron laughed at something he said.

“Plus, you’ve been staring at him for like ten minutes.”

Grayson’s words settled on me, stirring the hurricane inside of me again.

Had I really been staring that long?

Before I could say anything, Grayson’s tone shifted. “Shit or get off the pot, Riley. Because if you don’t make your move, I guarantee you someone else will.”

I turned to him, raising my eyes. “Excuse me?” I said.

Grayson gestured with his gaze to the woman who was nowgrindingon Eric, bending over to twerk her ass against his crotch, her mouth at Aaron’s waist level. Lane hooted and hollered as I watched Eric settle his hand on her jean-clad ass, and my blood boiled.

I realized as I meant to speak, I didn’t know that Ericwasn’tinto women. Not every guy who liked dick hated pussy. Some preferred both.

Panic flooded me along with doubt. I’d been so focused on my own embarrassment, during ourpreferencesconversation, itoccurred to me I never asked if he had any preferences of his own.

---