Page 18 of Twisted Minds

“I don’t care—wait. No olives. And none of that sauce on top of the cheese shit. That should be illegal.”

“I didn’t think you were going to be this high maintenance. And no pickles, right?” I laugh.

“Sounds good.” Hunter smiles at me. It’s a searching smile, and in that moment I want to know what he’s thinking. Hunter is so handsome it hurts to look at, and for some reason that megawatt smile is aimed at me.

“What?” I say.

“Nothing. Just excited for our second date.” My stomach turns to liquid as I watch him. How am I supposed to hurt a man like this? There is a way out, though, and I’ll do everything I can to get there. Hunter is golden retriever goodness, and I’m dog shit.

Getting up, I walk with Hunter to the bus stop down the road a little way. I’ll take an easy walk back; I need to clear my head. There’s too much going on and it’s slowly pressing against my rib cage. I want to scream, cry, punch something. This isn’t fair. I should be enjoying this. Instead, all I feel is dread.

The bus appears down the road and Hunter looks at me with a smile. “You have a good night, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I have the urge to kiss him, but I shut that thought down real fast. “Night, Hunter.”

seven

Mark

“Can you calm down, you’re embarrassing me.” Sipping his hot chocolate, Noah rolls his eyes. “Why do you look like you’re going to jump out of your skin? This isn’t a date. Believe me, that ship has sailed. In fact, that ship is lost at sea.”

I take a steady breath, not sure why I’m so anxious. “Sorry.”

“Can’t wait to see which wonder dick has you all twisted into knots.” I should not have told Noah about my date with Hunter later. “Is he hotter than me? No, he can’t be. No, he’s not. Say no, right now!” Noah pinches his shiny pink lips, and he’s still wearing my hoodie.

Ignoring him, I focus on my food, pushing around my potatoes. “Can I have my hoodie back?”

“No.”

“He’s a lot hotter than you.” I’m growing less hungry as breakfast goes on, but I pop a home fry into my mouth . . . and Noah’s lips part in a shocked O shape. Picking up a home fry, I toss it towards his mouth, getting it inside. “Score.”

Noah spits it out, glaring harder. “Fuck off. He’s not hotter.”

Now or never, here we go. “It’s the guy you walked in on me with the other morning.”

Noah folds his arms over his chest—over my fucking sweater.Mysweater! Is that a bleach stain!? I’m never getting it back, am I? “Asshole,” he says.

“We didn’t do anything. Some shit happened and he needed help. I let him crash with me is all.”

“So you couldn’t spare room for me, despite the fact I let you inside this gorgeous temple of mine, yet this stranger, sure thing. Got it.” Noah notices ketchup smeared on the table. Using the sleeve of my sweater he cleans it off. “He is not hotter than me,” he mumbles.

“Are you ever going to forgive me?”

“To. Be. Declared.” He grins around a forkful of eggs.

“I really like him, Noah,” I admit, forcing some food into my stomach. “I’ve never dated anyone before.”

“That’s because you are the ‘fuck first and ask no questions later’ type.”

“I’m trying to be better. I want this to work.” I see the glower in Noah’s eyes and okay, yeah, I know this is going to be an awkward spot for us. It’s a weird thing to navigate. Noah was clear, though, and so was I—neither of us have feelings. So why is it awkward?

“What’s the deal with this guy? What kind of monster does he have swinging between those muscular thighs? I’m hotter. I’ve seen him. I’m your type. He is not. So what is it? Why not me?”

Holy shit! “Do you want me?”

“Fuck, no.”

“Then what’s your issue?” I’m getting frustrated now. I know I acted like an asshole the other night, but Noah doesn’t want me. How is he jealous? Is he even jealous?

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