Unfortunately, there’d be no time for a fix, since I’d promised to go out tonight with the guys. We used to get together at least once a week downtown, whether to shoot pool or go out for beers, but lately life had gotten in the way, not only for me, but for us all.
After a quick shower, I threw on some jeans and ripped the tags off a long-sleeved Henley I’d bought the other day. The weather couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be hot or cold this week, so I had to buy some new clothes that would serve both.
I scooped a bit of pomade onto my fingers and then worked it through my hair. The auburn strands were naturally wavy, and since it tended to be a bit unruly, I tried to tame it as best I could. I kept the sides and back buzzed, because otherwise, things could turn messy, and fast.
My cell rang as I was finishing up, and I wiped my hands off before answering.
Mike.No doubt he was calling to make sure I didn’t back out.
“Yes, I’m still coming, Mom,” I said as a greeting.
“Actually, that’s why I was calling. I’m sorry to do this to you, man, but Ted and I got held up at the station, so it might be a late night. Mind if we raincheck for the weekend?”
It was probably shitty of me to feel relieved, but, well, I was. I’d always enjoyed a night out, but my mind had been preoccupied with someone else for far too long to think about anything else. “Fine with me. You guys need a hand?”
“Nah, we’ve got it. But maybe this frees you up for a little action with your guy, yeah?”
I groaned. “He’s not my guy, and there won’t be any action. Just get that out of your head.”
“Never say never, my man. One sec.” He must’ve pulled the phone away from his ear, because there was indistinct conversation, and then, “Sorry, Ollie, gotta run. Let the others know, would ya?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
When I hung up, an idea began to form, and before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed my wallet and headed out the door.
TWO MINUTES LATER, I was on the front porch of Reid’s parents’ house ringing the doorbell. If I couldn’t get him out of my mind, may as well do something about it.
A few seconds later, Reid openedthe door, a mixture of surprise and delight on his handsome face. Barefoot and in his black athletic pants and a t-shirt, he was the hottest picture of casual I’d ever seen, and I had to stop my jaw from dropping.
“Ollie,” he said. “What brings you by?”
“You up for bowling?”
He blinked. “Bowling? Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
A massive grin broke out on his face. “Hell yeah. Now?”
“Unless you’re busy.”
“No, now’s good.” He paused and looked down at his outfit. “I should probably change?—”
“No, don’t,” I said quickly, and when he lifted his brows, I shrugged as if I didn’t think he looked drop-dead fucking gorgeous as he did. “What you’ve got on is fine.”
“Yeah? Okay, let me just throw on my shoes, then.” He disappeared for a minute, and then he was back, pulling the door shut behind him and locking it. As he shrugged into a light jacket, his eyes roved over my chest, and I felt his gaze like it was a branding iron. “I like that shirt,” he said, flipping his collar up. “It’s the same color as your eyes, almost.”
The way he said it sounded so offhand that I didn’t think he even realized he was paying another man a compliment. It just came out naturally, like he was talking about the weather.
Of course, inside I was preening like a proud peacock that he’d even looked at me that way.
“Thank you,” I said. “Ready?”
“Ready,” he said.
In a teasing mood now, I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t think you’re prepared for what’s about to go down, but I look forward to the challenge.”
“Oh, that’s how it’s gonna be, huh?” He laughed. “I look forward to proving you wrong.”