Page 65 of Love Notes and Late Nights
“You’re a wise man, Tyler Kennedy.”
Harris watched the two share a few brief kisses, then caught Ethan’s eye when Tyler moved to his own chair, and he quickly looked away. “What’s on the agenda for the rest of the night?”
While a few ideas were tossed out, Harris looked at the two remaining empty seats. They weren’t together. One was between Marshall and Tyler, and the other was between Ethan and Amy. As if reading Harris’ mind, Marshall and Amy both moved over one seat so Wolf and Harris could sit next to one another. As they took the empty seats, Wolf had a conversation with Amy about some of the vendors at the festival, but Harris was watching Ethan, watching them. When Wolf casually grabbed abeer out of the cooler, twisted off the top and handed it to Harris, Ethan still hadn’t averted his eyes.
A knot formed in Harris’ gut. He tried to play it cool and acted like he didn’t just have heated words with Ethan the last time they spoke, and he added to the conversation about what to do tonight. Remembering Cathy’s enthusiasm about the bands she wanted to see, he suggested they check out Grindstone’s set. “I’ve never seen them play, but I hear they put on an awesome show,” he added.
Wolf grinned at him. “You just want to meet that girl and her friends.”
“I do not!”
“Are you sure? Because I saw you smiling at her.”
“I was trying not to laugh because she was obviously into you and you were flirting with her.”
“I was,” Wolf told the group. “I was totally flirting with her.” He leaned over and gave Harris a quick peck on the lips. “But I was only playing. I still love you, baby.”
Harris’ cheeks heated. He felt as if the temperature rose 10 degrees, and he could feel Ethan’s eyes boring into him, even though he refused to look in the guy’s direction. He looked at Wolf, who was grinning with that damn mischievous glint in his eyes. Was that kiss and the “I love you” for Ethan’s benefit? Harris didn’t know, but he wasn’t sticking around to find out. He wanted no drama. He stood up and headed straight for his RV. “I’m gonna shower and take this stuff off my face.”
“Wait!” Tyler called. “You need adhesive remover.”
Fuck. Harris stopped mid-stride but didn’t turn around.
“Let’s go to the salon, and I’ll take care of it. You too, Wolfie.”
As Harris sat in the salon chair and Tyler slowly peeled the fake goatee from his chin, he asked. “Is Ethan pissed at me?”
Tyler chuckled sardonically. “Oh no you don’t. You’re not dragging me in the middle of this. Whatever is going on here is between you three. I’m Switzerland. I’m staying out of it.”
They spent the rest of the night together as a group watching bands from the side stage and then sitting under the stars around a bonfire, and it made everything feel normal. Everythingwasnormal, but Wolf still needed to clear the air with Ethan, and he wasn’t waiting one more second.
Staring at the door to Ethan’s RV, Wolf reflected on their life together, his past feelings for his best friend, and how much their dynamic had changed over the last two years. Part of him always knew that they’d never end up together the way he’d hoped, but he never thought he’d be at peace with it. He never thought he’d fall in love so quickly or so completely, but he did.
He contemplated going back to his RV and coming back in the morning, but the lights were still on at this late hour, and he could hear Ethan and Tyler’s voices, as well as the TV, so he knew he wasn’t interrupting anything. If he waited any longer, that might not be the case, so he rapped his knuckles on the door. “Ethan, it’s me. Can we talk for a bit?”
The door swung open, and Tyler stood there in a short black velvet robe that had a huge pink fuzzy collar. “Come in before the vampires get you.”
“I hope I’m not intruding,” Wolf said, climbing into the RV and silently reminding himself not to comment on the robe, which was kinda fabulous.
“Not at all,” Tyler replied. “We’re just watching re-runs.”
Wolf took a few steps into the RV where Ethan was sitting in front of the flatscreen. “Got a few minutes?”
Ethan’s face turned pensive, and he nodded.
“I’ll just go for a walk or something,” Tyler said, pointing toward the door.
Wolf felt like he should tell Tyler he didn’t have to go, but he wanted privacy. “You can hang out with Harris. He’s in his RV.”
“Perfect.” Tyler gave Ethan a quick peck and headed for the door.
“Wait,” Harris called. The guy was walking outside at night in the desert wearing only a robe and slippers. “Don’t you want to change?”
“You’re right.” Tyler looked down. “I’ll never get the sand out of my slippers.” He kicked them off and pulled on a pair of combat boots but never bothered to put on something besides the robe, and he sauntered out of the RV.
Ethan smiled and shook his head as his eyes stayed trained on the door. The affection in that gaze told everything. Normally, Wolf envied the looks and interactions between Ethan and Tyler, because he wanted that same thing, but now he had it. And that’s what he needed to explain to his best friend.
“He’s wearing shorts and a tank top underneath the robe, by the way,” Ethan explained.
