Page 17 of Just Bromantically Invested

“You said boyfriend,” I correct weakly.

“Right. Him. Clearly, you’re gay or bi or … queer? Do you use queer? I’m totally fine with queer, by the way, but I know some people aren’t. But since you’re part of the community, it was like this light shining down telling me I’d made the right choice knocking on your door last night. My gaydar is usually on the button, but I didn’t know it worked for friends as well.”

My hands come down to grip her shoulders. “I’m going to need you to stop talking for a second.”

“Okay, but saying things like that is only going to make me feel awkward and probably make me talk more.”

Somehow, I manage a laugh because my brain is soaked in a whole tidal wave of information, but the one thing I keep coming back to is, “You think Madden’s my boyfriend?”

She very obviously looks me up and down. “Yes. No? Maybe? Suddenly not? I … he stayed the night and was half-naked this morning and then you’ve talked about him nonstop and moved here with him and he was all glaring monster … feel free to stop me again because I’m worried I can’t do it on my own.”

“I’m not gay. Queer. Any of that. I’m straight.”

“Straight?” She takes a massive step back, and my hands fall to my sides.

“Sorry?”

“No, what,I’msorry. I’m the idiot who assumed. Wow. I’m usually so much smarter than that.” This time, she goes silent on her own.

I know I should reassure her that it’s fine because it is, but I’m still stuck on how easily she came to that conclusion. Not about me—about us. Me and Madden.

“It’s okay,” I manage stiffly. “It really is. I’m just trying to make my brain catch up.”

“You’ve gone all pale. Are you a homophobe?”

“Of course not.” That shocks some life back into me. “Madden’s gay. He’s also my best friend—not boyfriend. Even if I have seen his dick more times than I’ll ever be able to count—”When she pulls a face, I realize how far away from my point that I’m getting.

“Wow, be cool,” she tells me. “You might be best friends with a gay man, but you’re getting super flustered about the mix-up.”

I bury my face in my hands. I’mnothomophobic, no matter whatever the hell my mouth might be saying. All the reasons for her assumption make a lot of sense, and I’m only thrown because of how easily she came to that conclusion. “Sorry. I promise it’s nothing to do with that. We’ve never been mistaken for a couple before. It threw me.”

“Bullshit.”

“No, really.”

“Well, I’ll take your word for it, but my bigot sensors are on high alert, so be warned. Him being gay makes a lot of sense though.” Lana continues toward the cafe. “I knew I was getting jealous vibes.”

Jealousy? From Madden?

I follow Lana into the cafe, wondering what the hell I’m getting into with my strange new friend.

Chapter 7

Madden

I’m gonna go home. Straight home. Obviously. Not like I can lurk around Penn’s apartment and get the rundown as soon as he steps through the door. I have places to be.

Important places.

Busy places.

I crack Penn’s front door and glance out into the hall. They’re gone. Good.

My gut twists at how much prettier Lana looks straight-on than from the side. And Penn will be looking at her straight-on. Across the table. Where they’re probably sitting and naming their future children.

Which is obviously a totally great thing and not at all something I should be worrying about.

They’re going tohit it off.

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