Page 88 of Just Bromantically Invested

“Hopefully, now you do,” Molly says.

I nod, feeling borderline overwhelmed that these guys I’ve been resenting have considered me their friend all along.

“I hope you come to more family Fridays.” Molly scuffs his socked toe against the floor. “It’s for everyone. All our roommates and partners. We’re all family and you barely ever come to them.”

“I … I thought it was a pity invite.”

Seven groans and hangs his head back. “This is going to be a hug moment, isn’t it?”

“Yup.” Molly grins. “Get that cute butt over here.”

Then before I know what’s happening, I’ve got Molly on one side, Seven on the other, boxed in by their arms and still trying to figure out how the fuck I got here.

If this is what friendships are … I wish I’d had them a long time ago.

Chapter 31

Madden

I’m unsettled by how we left things, but I woke up renewed to make sure that nothing gets in our way of spending time together tonight. Every couple has rocky moments, and we’re still finding our footing as boyfriends. My parents might not have taught me much, but one thing that they always followed through with is if one of them fucked up, the other got elaborate gifts as an apology.

I don’t have the money for elaborate gifts, but I sure as hell can apologize.

I’m off work before Penn is, and I stop by the grocery store on the way to his place. Last night, I firmly believe that I made the right choice. Xander needed me, and I won’t be sorry for that, but Penn’s not just my bestie I’m blowing off, and if I want a real-life boyfriend, I need to do better.

I could have handled things differently. Look at me growing and changing.

I’m smiling to myself as I push into his apartment, hopeful that tonight we can have a proper date night together, but when I step inside and strip off, I pause at the sound of the TV down the hall.

“Penn?” I call cautiously. He’s supposed to be at work for another hour.

He appears in the entrance to his living room, and his face splits into a smile. Before I can say a single word, he closes the distance between us and pulls me into a kiss. His body is close, his tongue is insistent, and his fingers card through my hair and give a desperate tug.

I’m spared oxygen when he breaks from my mouth and trails loving bites along my neck.

“What’s, uh … what’s all this?”

“I’m sorry.”

The words make me pull up. “That’s what I was going to say.”

He laughs, taking a moment to inhale deeply and letting his forehead rest against mine. “I think I’m going to be a shitty boyfriend before I get used to it. I’ve never done this before, Mads.”

“You’re not a shitty boyfriend.”

“I am. I was hurt, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. It’s not like you made a choice. You did what you had to.”

I ease back, cupping his face and taking a moment to search his eyes. He looks genuine. “Why did you take it so badly?”

“When I bought this place, I sort of thought you’d move in here with me, but you had all these fun, cool roommates who you loved, and I sort of resented them a bit. You were spending more and more time with them, and I felt like the afterthought.” He scrunches up his face. “It sounds so stupidly immature when I say it out loud. But it hurt, Madden.”

The afterthought? I study him for way too long, trying towork out how the hell he thought that. “I wanted to move in with you too, but …”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve been in love with you for a really long time. The longest time. I knew if I lived here, I’d never have the chance to move on, and that’s why I stayed there. The more time I spent with you, the deeper my feelings got, and I was so scared one day you’d figure it out and I’d lose you. I’m sorry, Penn. I’m sorry it’s gotten to the point where I’m so used to covering up how I feel that I’m not showing you when you need it. I promise I’ll do better.”

He’s staring at me in shock, and I get it, it’s a lot. Just dumping all this in his lap isn’t what I’d planned to do because I know he needs time and?—

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