Page 8 of Branson's Promise

“You play rugby though, don’t you? I don’t know much about the sport but presumably you’d need some coordination to be good at it?” Milo turned in his chair, his knees brushing against mine. Dimples appeared in his cheeks as his face settled into a smile. Dimples were officially a weakness for me.

“Ha! You would think, but no. I’m good at rugby because I’m fast. Fast and nimble. Also, we play friendly games of touch rugby, I don’t even know if we use proper rules. Speaking of which, you should come and join us one weekend,” I suggested.

“I’ve never played it before. If I’m honest, I’ve never even watched a game. I may suck at it as much as you do at pool.” Those dimples appeared again, and my focus was, for a brief second, drawn away from our conversation.

“You don’t know what you’re missing! Real rugby games are so fucking thrilling. Okay, I’m adding it to my ‘things for Milo and Branson to do together’ list.”

Milo tipped his head, raising an eyebrow at me as he asked, “You keep a list like that?”

“Well, it’s not written down, but sure. I have plenty of lists. Places to visit. Foods to try. Musicians to see live in concert.” Thinking of the well-worn letter I kept securely in my wallet, my dad’s smiling face came to mind and my heart squeezed at the memory of the promise I had made him. The one that started my list making in the first place. To live a life full of adventure.

“And ‘things for Milo and Branson to do together’,” Milo said, his eyes meeting mine. In the dim light of the sports bar, his brown irises were a deeper shade than usual, but I could still make out golden tints in them. “What exactly is on this list?”

“So far, a rugby match, to finish all the seasons ofThe Vampire Diaries, a helicopter tour of New York City, baking classes, to eat a cronut and take Milo to a bar.”

Milo laughed; a deep, hearty sound that made bubbles of excitement erupt in my chest. “Well, you can tick one of those off your list.” He gestured his arm around the bar. “As for the rest, I have questions, but they all sound good. Count me in.” He turned to face the pool table again, and I did the same. Two of my colleagues were locked in a heated argument over the game, the one holding the eight ball in his hand like he’d won it at a country fair.

“I’m really glad I came out tonight. Thank you for the invite.” He knocked his shoulder against mine and the heat radiating off his body did not go unnoticed, nor did his scent - pepper, cedarwood and a hint of sweat.Fuck meif the combination didn’t make me want to drool like a rabid dog. Roommate territory, Branson.Right.

“I’m glad you relented, even if I had to drag you kicking and screaming.” I shot him a smirk, making sure to waggle my eyebrows when I did.

"Oh, please,” he started, resting both arms on the bar behind him while he surveyed the people around us, “as if you could drag me anywhere.” My eyes took in the muscles in his arms, bulging from the way he was holding himself up. Maybe he had a point, but still…..

“Hey!” I smacked him on said muscles. “Are you implying I’m weak?”

“Not at all, I’m implying you’re small.” He winked at me then and I knew he was just trying to rile me up, having heard me mutter profusely when August told me Noel had called melittle.I believe my exact words had been something along the lines of“stupid fucking asshole, I’ll show him little.”Or something else equally nonsensical.

“Ha ha hardy ha,” I deadpanned as my phone vibrated from its spot on the bar next to me. We both looked at it as the screen lit up with yet another message from Noel.

Asshole Adonis:So is that a yes? Also, dick pic incoming in 5…..

I snatched up my phone, hoping Milo hadn’t seen the message and laughed to myself when I read the next one.

Asshole Adonis:Fuck the countdown, here’s the picture.

The message was followed by a picture of a…. rooster? What the fuck was Noel up to. I got my answer a few moments later.

Asshole Adonis:I sent you a cock pic, not a dick pic. I’ll see you on Friday?

“Boyfriend?” Milo asked, his head tilted in question, his eyes on the phone in my hands.

“Oh no, definitely not. Just a friend.” A very persistent friend who I once fucked and who I was sure wanted to fuck me again. I kept that titbit of information to myself as Milo continued to study me. I could feel the goofy grin on my face, but was powerless to wipe it off.

Me:Fine. I’ll send you my address. But Noel, this is a friend date. Nothing more.

“Ok-ay.” The way Milo stretched out the word made it clear he didn’t believe me. Not much I could do about that, but it was the truth.

Look at me. I had two hot guys in my life, and both had been relegated to the no go zone. That’s some grown up shit right there. I should pat myself on my back for my maturity. Or possibly kick myself in the shin.

Chapter 5

Noel

We were stuck in New York traffic, which was nothing new, but I was feeling agitated, already annoyed to be running late. I had planned to fetch Branson from his place, but something had come up at work and he’d said he would instead meet me at the bar. Pulling out my phone, I browsed through some of our messages from earlier in the week and before.

Me:Date night options for Friday - football game, concert, dinner, drinks, or dancing. Or a combination of all of the above?

Kitten:Any of the above for our FRIEND DATE.

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