Page 41 of Half Notes and Highlights
“OK. Fine.” Someone was obviously sensitive about their hair.
Ethan changed the subject, and they started talking about lighter things like funny anecdotes about some of the pranks they played on each other. Marshall brought up the hair gel incident, and Tyler almost spewed his drink all over the place. He covered his mouth with a napkin and looked down at the wet spot on his shirt. “I’m sorry. I’m such a mess. You can’t take me anywhere, including a stay-at-home dinner. I’ll be a sec. Let me change.”
“No.” Ethan stopped Tyler from getting up with a hand on his arm. “Stay. Enjoy your meal. No one cares if you spilled your drink on your shirt. There’s barely anything there.” He wiped at the small stain in the center of Tyler’s chest with a cloth napkin. It was slow and intimate and sent a wave of heat through Tyler’s body.
“OK.” He pulled the napkin from Ethan’s hand and wiped his brow, which was substantially warmer. “Now I’m gonna need a cold shower.”
“You ain’t the only one,” Harris commented. “That was getting a little hot and heavy.” He pulled at the center of his T-shirt to cool himself.
“Stop.” Ethan threw a napkin at Harris, playfully. “Eat your food and be quiet.”
They made more small talk for the rest of the meal and then moved back to the couches, but Tyler headed to the bar. “I’m making more margaritas. Anyone want one?”
“Sure,” Wolf replied, offering his glass and sounding much friendlier than the last conversation they had about Tyler styling his hair. Maybe the guy was finally trying to play nice.
Tyler gave him a friendly smile in return, because he was trying as well. He ended up making a double batch and carried the pitcher over to the coffee table along with two low ball glasses. “I wish we had salt. I love when there’s salt on the rim.”
Harris burst out laughing, and Tyler swore he heard Wolf murmur, “I could go for a good salty rimming.” But Wolf’s eyes were on his glass as he tossed back a huge gulp, and no one else reacted or commented on it, so Tyler let it go. But it irked the hell out of him. Was Wolf implying that he wanted a rim job from Ethan? If so, that was totally out of line, and Tyler had no intention of letting shit like that slide.
“What made you move to the West Coast?” Harris asked.
The question distracted Tyler from dissecting what he thought he heard Wolf say, but only gave him something worse to think about—the answer to Harris’ question. Tyler moved to the West Coast to get away from his ex, which sounded stupid because they never saw each other. In three years, they ran into each other exactly twice. Actually, it was only one time at a coffee shop with his ex’s new steady boyfriend. It had cut him to thecore, but he never let on and masked the hurt with exaggerated lightheartedness. The second time he saw the two of them walking hand in hand at a shopping mall, and the sight was too much for him, so he ran out of there.
“Tyler?” Ethan got his attention since everyone was waiting for him to answer Harris’ question.
“Sorry, I got lost in thought.” It was the truth, but it didn’t hurt as much any longer to think about his ex. It saddened him that things hadn’t worked out, but he realized his heart wasn’t still broken, and a cheery smile spread across his cheeks because he finally moved on. “The weather, of course,” he answered, because that was everyone’s answer for moving to California. “I also needed a change. I have clients here. I sometimes do red carpet events. I spent a month here once working at a movie studio in Hollywood when a hairstylist needed to take an emergency leave. So, I thought about giving it a shot long term.” He sipped his margarita and gazed at Ethan. “And I’m very happy I did. It’s working out wonderfully for me.”
“Me too,” Ethan replied.
“Awwww!”Tyler’s insides got all gooey. Obviously, the drinks were going straight to his head.
“Enough with the googly eyes, or I’m going to hose you two down,” Harris warned, standing from the couch. “Who wants another beer?”
“Do we have more margaritas?” Wolf asked.
Tyler lifted the pitcher, surprised to find it was practically empty, and looked up at Wolf.
“They’re good,” he said, eyes glassy.
Theyweregood, and even though Tyler was feeling a little tipsy, he wanted another and liked that everyone was getting along so well, so he made another batch.
They continued to sit around the coffee table, drinking and talking and sharing an enjoyable evening together. It was nice.So, when Harris and Marshall both stood up and said they were calling it a night, Tyler was sorry the night was about to end.
Marshall extended his hand to Tyler. “It was great getting to know you.”
“Oh, please!” Tyler swatted it away. “Strangers shake hands. We’re old friends now. Come on.” He got to his feet and waved Marshall over with both hands. “Bring it in. Hugs and kisses.”
Marshall chuckled. “I’ll just settle for a hug, thanks.” He gave Tyler a very manly hug, complete with several bro-type slaps on the back.
“I’ll take the kisses,” Harris said, approaching Tyler with his arms out, and proceeded to give Tyler two big air kisses and a friendly hug. “See you tomorrow. Glad we could get together.”
“Me too,” Tyler replied. “I enjoyed the evening immensely.”
“You coming?” Harris asked Wolf, who was still sitting on the couch and making no move to get up.
“I’ll hang out for one more of these tasty margaritas, if that’s OK.” He filled his glass with the last of the contents of the pitcher and shifted his eyes to both Ethan and Tyler.
Tyler had no idea how to reply. Even though things were going well tonight, much better than the first time he met Wolf, probably thanks to the alcohol softening the tension, he didn’t want Wolf hanging around without Harris and Marshall. His gaze shot to Ethan, but Ethan was staring at Wolf.
