Page 29 of Twisted Minds

“All bad things, I’m sure,” Noah mumbles, and Mark rolls his eyes, grabbing my hand. Okay, I need to shake the awkwardness. “I have to be at the arena soon. I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”

“What are you getting?”

“Drilled into a mattress if there’s anyone cute and queer at the arena.” Noah puts his menu down.

“He meant to eat,” Mark mumbles.

“Oh, well if Cake Daddy is up for it, I’m really good with my tongue.”

Mark exhales, loudly. His eyes peer up at me over the menu as he shakes his head slightly. “Noah, don’t call him that.

“Cake . . . Da—”

“Don’t,” I whisper at Sawyer. “If you acknowledge it, it makes it worse. He’s like a poltergeist. Don’t give it power.”

“Why Cake Daddy?” Sawyer asks, because listening is not a skill he’s exercising tonight.

“Because you make cake. You know, if you like cake so much I may have just the—”

“Noah, gross. Stop.” Mark shakes his head.

“Is Pastry Papa better?”

“Uh no, somehow that’s worse.”

Mark puts his menu down abruptly. “Can you stop! You’re being rude.”

“What? Oh my god I’m so sorry. Puck Daddy you are welcome to my cake too.”

Not. What. I meant! “Hunter doesn’t want any of your cake.”

“I think you should let the man speak for himself.”

Does . . . does he want me to answer. “Uh, no thank you.”

Noah looks at Sawyer. “And then there were two.” He winks at my friend who is sinking deeper and deeper into his booth. Finally, our waitress comes over to take our order. Mark orders aburger and Noah orders a salad, then Sawyer and I order. “How would you like your burger done?” she asks Mark.

“Charred to a crisp,” Noah cuts in. “He can’t see any pink or it makes him sick.”

“Just well done please.”

“No onions either. There are onions on it, see.” Noah points to the menu.

“Oh yeah, no onions.”

“You got it.” We finish ordering and hand the menus back to her.

“So, what are you majoring in, Mark?” Sawyer asks.

“Ah, software engineering. I want to make video games.”

“What are you majoring in, gorgeous?” Noah puts his elbows on the table with his chin propped on his hands.

“Oh uh, I’m in the culinary program.” My friend takes a sip of his drink. “So how do you two know each other?” He points between Mark and Noah, and my eyes widen on him with a smile. He knows damn well how they know each other.

“Well, Noah and I, uh, met at the beginning of last year at a party.”

“I had the misfortune of being his fuck buddy for about a year until I came to my senses.” Noah sips his water loudly. “Now it’s Hunter’s turn to tag in. Just gotta be careful with this model.” He grips Mark’s shoulder, shaking him. “There’s a lot of wear and tear, but she gets the job done.” Noah beams. “Eventually. Gotta stop and choke the throttle once in a while but she gets you through.”

---