Page 45 of The Bro Date
The text bubbles appear then disappear a couple times before he sends his response.
Missed you too.
Hope I didn’t wake you.
You didn’t. Can’t sleep.
I blush at what was actually going through my mind instead of sleeping, and now I feel a little guilty about my inappropriate fantasies involving my best friend.
Everything okay? Want me to come get you?
Butterflies swarm my stomach, and I practically melt into the couch with his thoughtfulness. I’m on the verge of saying yes, but I decide not to be so dramatic.
All good here. Just a restless brain, but thanks for the offer. See you tomorrow.
Night.
I close my eyes, finally drifting off to sleep with a silly little smile on my face. If my fantasy were to ever come true, I think I’d simply pass away.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SHANE
What the hell am I doing?
Sure, taking Toby out on all these bro dates has been a lot of fun, but I’ve been delaying the inevitable reality of him eventually finding a boyfriend and dating someone for real.
Because it can’t be me.Right?I’m not gay. I’ve never looked at a dude and thought,I want to fuck him. I’ve never even been curious enough to watch gay porn. But Toby is different. Toby is . . . my whole entire world. And he always has been.
Being with him just feels right.
Despite the fact that he’s a guy.
A knock on my bedroom door startles me from my confusing thoughts. “Ready for the fair?” Toby asks through the door. “Daija and Tate just got there.”
“Yeah. I’ll be down in a second,” I call back, spraying cologne on each pulse point. I grab my phone and wallet, hustling downstairs to meet Toby in the foyer.
Tonight isn’t really a date since we’re meeting up with our friends, but I can’t deny that it still has date vibes. His golden curls are styled perfectly, and the tight white T-shirt hugs him nicely. His slim body is on display, showing off an incrediblephysique I’ve never appreciated enough. Baggy jeans with holes in the knees and white Vans complete his look, and there’s no denying the attention he’ll draw tonight.
By the time I’m done perusing him, and we make eye contact, Toby is grinning from ear to ear like the cat that got the canary.
“What?” I grumble. “You look nice.”
“Thank you. So do you,” Toby says sweetly, returning the compliment while eyeing my black T-shirt and dark jeans.
I grunt my acknowledgement, locking up the house and guiding Toby to my truck with a hand on the small of his back. I help him up, and then we’re off to the fairgrounds just fifteen minutes outside of campus.
When we arrive, Toby texts Daija, and I text Jake to meet us at the bumper cars.
“This is going to be so fun!” Toby exclaims, practically skipping with joy. “After bumper cars, I need a deep-fried Snickers.”
My stomach turns at the thought of such a monstrosity, and Toby laughs.
“Come on! Bumper cars are this way.” He grabs my hand and tugs before reality hits him, and he drops my hand quickly, glancing around. Everything in me wants to hold hands with him, but this place feels too public, so I hesitate.
“Ahh!You’re here!” Daija squeals, running over to hug Toby and me, breaking up the awkwardness.
Jake and Spencer walk over right after. “Aww, where’s my hug?” Jake asks Daija with a pout, holding both arms out.
