My chest pinched with a sharp pain. No fucking way. “Dude, I don’t think they’ll want to hear from us again. We were dicks to them.”
“Yeah? Then I’ll start my invitation with an apology.” He left the room.
I stood there watching him go. What the actual fuck? He didn’t like Carrie. At least, that’s what he said last night. And why hadn’t he invited me to go with him and bring Riley? This was not like him.
After making my way into my room, I changed into fresh underwear and shorts and met Grey in the kitchen.
He filled ground beans and water into the coffeemaker and started it. “I can’t wait for the coffee.” He kept his back toward me. “Where do you think Tex is?”
“Probably at the gym.” He’d stayed in last night, as far as I knew. “I’m sure he thought we’d be in no shape for working out this morning.”
“What do you want from DoorDash?” He held his phone to his face and tapped. “I want an Egg McMuffin from McDonald’s. It’s perfect for a hangover.”
“Get me two.” Fuck it, I wasn’t cooking. I scrubbed my face as I leaned my ass on the counter at the sink. This was messing with my head. Would we just return to normal now? What would happen the next time he got drunk? Would we become friends with drunk benefits?
He seized two mugs from the cabinet, then poured coffee as the brewer finished. “Can you get the creamer?”
“Sure.” Ambling to the refrigerator, I pulled a bottle of creamer out and set it on the counter, stepping into his space.
He distanced himself from me. “The food will be here in a few minutes.” After pouring the creamer into the cups, he handed me one, strolled to the dinette and dropped into a chair. “Think I’ll do some shopping today. I wanted to check out the shops along Mill Avenue.”
“Yeah?” I blew across my coffee and then sipped it. It sounded fun. “I’ve got nothing?—”
“Maybe Carrie would like to join me? I can start our date off there.” He drank his coffee. “I’ll text her now.” He tapped his phone as it rested on the dining table.
What the actual fuck? He didn’t like her. I knew it. I strode to the table and sank into a chair across from him. It felt odd between us. Something had changed, and I didn’t like it. Did this have anything to do with the Ella shit? “Hey, last night you told me you spoke with Julie and there was a woman named Ella your dad set you up with?”
After gnawing his lower lip for a beat, he said, “She was a nice girl. I think I’ll contact her this week and see how she’s doing.”
My heart froze, and I fisted my hand while it rested on my thigh. “So, you’re going to date Carrieandhit up Ella?” He’d been upset about it last night, hadn’t he?
His phone buzzed on the table, and a sly grin worked across his mouth. “Carrie accepted my apology and wants to meet for lunch on Mill.” With a quick sip of his coffee, he rose. “I’m taking a quick shower. Can you bring me my food when it arrives? Should be here any minute.” He strode through the hallway and disappeared.
“Fuck.” Huffing, I hung my head. Had I ruined our relationship? Maybe he remembered us fooling around last night and decided to hyper-focus on women to feel better about it. Hell, I didn’t know.
My mind was a mess.I couldn’t stop thinking about Grey after he’d left on his fucking date, and no amount of sports commentary on the television would change it. I rubbed my chest over my heart. Fuck, it hurt to think of him out withher. What was wrong with me?
The door in the kitchen creaked open to the garage, and Tex lumbered inside, wearing a sleeveless workout shirt and shorts. "Hey, man." He held a smoothie in his hand. “What a fucking night you had. I knew you two would hook up.” With a snicker, he shook his head and sat beside me on the couch. “I figured you’d give it a week, but whatever. It’s all good.”
With my jaw falling, I stared at him. “What are you talking about?” How did he know?
Patting my thigh, he said, “Did you really think I wouldn’t hear you two going at each other in Grey’s room last night?” He peered around him. “Where the hell is he, anyway?”
“He’s out. On a date. With a fucking woman.” Scoffing, I crossed my arms on my chest. At least I wouldn’t have to hide what happened with Tex.
“Are you shitting me? Why would he do that? Did you leave it as friends with benefits?” With his brows raised, he sipped his smoothie through a straw.
“No, we left it as nothing. He doesn’t remember. He was drunk, and I…I took advantage of him, I guess.” Jesus, it was so not cool. How could I do such a thing? I hung my head and teased a fold in my shorts.
“Wait a minute.” Grabbing the remote, he paused the television show. “That’s not typical of you, Malik, and I observed your behavior around here the last few days. The guy is not straight. Tell me what really happened.”
I inhaled a deep breath, willing the squeezing in my chest to release. “I don’t know. Everything was cool, but we started drinking shots of tequila, and then we ditched the girls and went outside. He…” I pursed my lips. I should tell him the details, shouldn’t I? “We were hiding, and it was clear he was interested in me. His dick was hard.” Heat rushed across my cheeks.
“Go on.” He sipped more of his drink.
“He complained about some woman his dad set him up with back in New York, so I think he was upset about it.” I glanced at Tex, watching me intently. “When we got home, I helped him to his room and, fuck, he wanted it, Tex.” I straightened my spine. “He asked for it. He was hard as a rock and kissing me and shit and then he pulled me onto his bed on top of him and he told me…” I should stop there.
“He’s not straight, Malik. I don’t care how drunk he was.” He scoffed a laugh. “Hell, if he was that drunk and still getting it up for you, then it’s even more proof he’s not straight.”