Page 64 of Manny

I see Bandit move in my periphery. I know he’s not gonna say it back; he’s still denying that he’s bi, and it’s okay. I’ve been there. It’s a lot to handle, especially with all the guilt and trauma he’s been through.

Bandit clears his throat. “Lace is right, it’s getting late.” He’s looking at Lace. “Did you need a ride home?”

She shakes her head. “Manny can take me home. I think we all just need to digest everything for tonight.”

“Does this mean we’re not…” Bandit trails off, his brow furrowing. He points between him and Lace. “A thing?”

So, he’s still interested? Or just with Lace? It’s eating away at me, but I know a man like Bandit isn’t gonna show his cards just like that. The man is not even playing hard to get; I don’t even think he knows what the fuck he wants.

He’s never been with a man before, only thought about it. That’s what Lace told me. But I remind myself he’s still here. He could’ve walked away and he didn’t.

She looks down at her barely touched coffee. “It means there’s a lot to think about. I can’t just turn off how I feel.”

His voice drops. “So, you do want both of us?”

She bites her lip, her cheeks pinkening a little. I don’t know what she has to be embarrassed about. We’re all adults here. We’ve also both been naked with her. If Bandit wants her, then he has to hear her out. She hasn’t hidden the fact that she had feelings for him the entire time we’ve grown close, I just didn’t know who it was. I’m not even mad at her for not telling me.

She sighs, tucking her hair behind both ears. “It’s a lot, I get it. This whole thing.” She waves between us. “It’s complicated, and I don’t know if I’m up for complicated. You two can barely tolerate each other.”

I put up a finger. “We’ve been pretty civil for the most part.”

She gives me a withering look. I mean, it’s not as if we’ve come down to using our fists, even though I felt like slapping him like a little bitch.

“It’s not a usual situation,” Bandit agrees.

I glance up at him. “Never done this before?”

He frowns. “I’ve had my fair share of women.” He pauses. “But I was loyal to my wife.”

Silence hangs between us.

A look flashes across his face, and it happens so fast if I’d blinked, I would have missed it.

This is the second time he’s brought his wife up.

“But not with another guy?” I press. I want to hear him say it.

He levels me with a look. “No, and for the record, I never said I was into other guys.”

“Let’s not go down this road again,” I sigh. “I hate to break it to you,Beefcake,but the cat’s out of the bag.”

Bandit does that nostril flaring thing again. He can deny it all he wants, but we all know it’s true. Maybe he hasn’t admitted anything to me, but he has to Lace. He can’t deny that. I’ve been there so I know it’s confronting. I was a lot younger when I knew I was different.

He points at me. “You keep your trap shut about this, Manny. You got me?”

I put a hand over my chest, covering my heart. “You think I’d say anything to anyone?”

He levels me with a glare. “I don’t know, you’re pretty cozy with the girls in the club. This is just the sort of thing you’d all gossip about on your group chat.”

“Wait, how do you know about that?” Lace interrupts.

He spares her a glance. “We hear shit.”

I snort. “And you honestly think I’d tell them about this?”

“I’m just sayin’, you better not say shit.” Mr. Grumpy is back. He’s so hot and cold.

“For your information, I’m probably the most loyal person you’re ever gonna meet,” I tell him. “Everyone tells me their secrets, but I keep it all in here.” I thump my chest with my fist. “I would never betray anyone’s trust. Just so you know.”

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