Page 33 of The Bro Date
“Shane, wait. Can’t we finish our conversation? Tell me what’s wrong.Please.”
I spin around, pinning him against the wall and throwing out my own question since he wants to talk about our feelings so badly. “What are you searching for, Toby?” I scan his flushed face before focusing on bright amber eyes. “Hmm?”
This reckless behavior isn’t like him.
“I’ve accepted that I'm gay, if that’s what you mean,” he says defensively, staring right back into my eyes.
“Of course that’s not what I mean, but you’ve been putting yourself in unsafe situations, and I’d be a shitty friend if I wasn’t looking out for you, Tobes. I saw Tate’s stories.”
His face pales. “Can we go back to my room and talk about this?” He slips under my arm, tiptoeing down the hallway and glancing back at me. “Please?”
I nod, giving in and following him back to his room, where I take my spot at the end of the bed.
Toby leans against the desk, his tight abs flexing naturally. “I’m not doing anything wrong or dangerous, I’m just dating and going out for once in my life,” he huffs. “Just like any other guy my age.”
“You’re nineteen,” I deadpan. “You haven’t even hit the legal drinking age yet. You actuallyaredoing something wrong.”
Toby purses his lips. “I don’t want to argue with you, Shane. You’re just gonna have to get used to me being with guys.”
His words are a solid punch to the gut.
I don’t want to get used to that.I can’t.
“Are you looking for a boyfriend?” I blurt. The question tastes sour on my tongue, like bile rushing up a tender throat, ready to choke the life out of me. I don’t fully understand the feelings growing inside me—the jealousy at seeing him smile and laugh with another man—but it makes my skin crawl so badly that I want to peel it from my bones.
“Hmm.” Toby taps his finger against his bottom lip as if he knows it’s torturing me. My gaze zeroes in on the soft, plump flesh, staring way too intently while he speaks. “I’m not sure about a boyfriend, but yes, I think I’d like to be kissed by a boy. Experiment a little. I’m just having fun, Shane.”
Then have fun with me.
My heart gallops a million miles a minute like a herd of wild horses running toward the edge of a cliff and diving off, plummeting into the pit of my stomach. I press a hand to my abdomen as if I can feel it beating.
He could get hurt experimenting with people who don’t care about him.That can’t happen.
Something deep within me knows that would fucking destroy me forever.
“No,” I growl low.
“I’m sorry?” His question is breathy and weak.
I stand up from the end of the bed, stepping into his space and staring down at him. An unbreakable, decade-long bond links us together, transcending mere friendship. Andno onecan get in the way of that. Especially not some random guy.
Without taking my eyes off of his, I reach out, gently cupping his jaw and rubbing my thumb along his cheekbone. “I can’t stand to see another man touching you. It doesn’t sit well withme, Toby. I can’t let anything happen to you. If you want to kiss a boy . . . then, kissme,” I whisper, our lips only a breath apart.
He sucks in a sharp breath of air, his pupils dilating. “W-what do you mean?”
“Can I kiss you?” I ask him.
His cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink that I swipe my thumb along.
“Yes,” he breathes out, closing his eyes and parting his lips. “Please, Shane.”
I slowly and cautiously lean forward until my lips gently press against his. They’re soft and plush and so fucking nice that I kiss him deeper, allowing my tongue to sneak out and lick at the seam of his mouth. Toby lets out a whimper, and I seize the opportunity. His tongue meets mine stroke for stroke. With the adrenaline flowing, I don’t have time to think about any possible consequences this kiss might have on our friendship, but I don’t regret it.
I could never regret it.
Stubble scrapes my cheek, and something hard pokes my thigh, startling me for a moment before my own cock starts to respond, thickening in my jeans.
What the fuck is happening?
