Page 11 of Poolside

Miguel blinked long black lashes over at Wade. “Are you sure you’re not into me?”

Wade bit back a grin. “Sorry, sweetheart.”

“You’re too old for him,” Chuck chimed in, cocking a brow at Miguel.

“Fuck off,” Wade said, flicking Chuck in the back of the hand.

Chuck flipped him the bird as the three of them dissolved into laughter. It was so good to have them: two people with whom Chuck could simplybe,without having his guard up.

He wanted this with the rest of his friends. He wanted it so badly his throat tightened with emotion.

“I wish it wasn’t a thing,” Chuck admitted, looking between the two of them. “Coming out,” he clarified.

Miguel nodded, their deep plum painted lips curving up into a sad smile. Chuck took them in: their shaved head, the eyeliner that darkened their upper lash line, the glitter of mischief in their eyes that never dimmed. Then he glanced over at Wade, with his black hoodie and dark scruff, the curling ends of black tattoos swirling through the smattering of dark hair on the backs of his hands.

“Someday,amor,” Miguel said. “Someday.”

Wade nodded his head toward Miguel. “What they said,” he murmured, lifting his mug.

They all lifted their drinks in silent cheers.

CHAPTER3

AN ORGY OF EPIC PROPORTIONS

TOMMY

“Hi, Ma.”

“Thomas!” His mom’s voice was warm in his ear as he walked to his car at the end of the day. “How are you doing down there in that heat?”

Tommy laughed, shaking his head. All these years later and his family still couldn’t believe that a Minnesota boy could be happy settling down in South Carolina. “It’s raining today, Ma. It’s not always hot.”

Shetsked. “Tell me how you’re doing. We miss you.” Her voice was muffled for a moment, but Tommy still heard her shout like she was right next to him. “Dan! Dan! Thomas is on the phone!”

His father’s deep voice joined his mom. “Tommy. Come visit your mother. She misses you.”

“I’m busy, guys. Work is picking up right now.”

“You work too hard,” his mom grumbled.

“Susan, leave him alone.”

Tommy climbed into his car. “I’m up for a promotion, so I’m putting in the extra time.”

“Oh darling, that’s wonderful! Don’t forget to stop and take care of yourself, though.”

“I will, Ma.”

“How’s Chuck doing?”

Tommy grinned. “He’s great. I’m actually heading over to his place now.”

“Good,” his mom said. “We love that boy.”

“You do realize they’re both men in their thirties,” Tommy’s dad reminded his wife.

“I don’t care, Dan.”

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