Leaning into Malik as we walked, I said, “She’s definitely into me. Which one do you want?”
Malik glanced behind us as we reached a table with two microphones on it, the DJ sitting behind it with a laptop and karaoke console. “I’d take any of her friends. I don’t care which.” He scraped his teeth across his lower lip. “Or we could try a threesome?” He pulled me into an opening in the black tables scattered across the concrete floor.
My brows lifted. The few times we’d done that, it was hot. It had gotten me off harder than I thought it would. I didn’t understand why…maybe because the girls had enjoyed it so much? “Sure, if she’s open to it. I’m game.”
“Hell yes. We won’t start off pushing for it though.” Malik’s warm hand squeezed mine as the song started, the bouncy beat like something from a rockabilly band. He bounced to the beat, bending his knees and swinging our arms between us. “I’ll take the John Travolta part and you’re Olivia Newton John.” He cackled.
“Seriously? I can’t sing that high.” Fuck it, whatever. Mirroring his movements, my gaze found the television screen next to a long bar tucked into the wall with lights hung across a soffit running along the ceiling.
As he sang the first verse, Malik tilted his head, his smile reaching his eyes and his gaze locked on me.
Everyone in the bar laughed and clapped while a few people whistled.
As he sang on, he stepped toward me, pulling me in close and then pushing me away, our fingers threaded between us.
Laughter burst from me. This was ridiculous, but so much fun. My friends in Ithaca and New York would never behave like this. My part started, and I sang it at him, strutting around him in a circle, my hips swaying, my heart soaring.
At the chorus, we sang, stepping close, foreheads nearly touching, then retreated.
The bar erupted in more clapping, and a woman shouted, “Kiss him!”
I glanced away for a moment, and Malik’s warm lips landed on my cheek. I giggled and danced, swaying my hips and swinging our arms.
“Woo-hoo!” the woman shouted.
The second verse came around, and we continued our circle strut, singing at each other as loudly and obnoxiously as we could. When the last chorus started, Malik wrapped an arm around my waist and swung me in a circle.
As the song ended, we stopped, panting, and Malik gazed deeply into my eyes. “Ready?”
I nodded. I wasn’t sure what he would do, but I trusted him.
He came in close, his lips brushing mine, and then planted a quick kiss on my mouth. As we parted, he released me.
Women clapped and shouted their praise for the show while the guys laughed.
Grabbing my hand, Malik dragged me through the tables to our booth. My chest flickered with warmth. Spending my last year of college with him was the right decision. He’d give me the strength I needed to confront my father and live my own life.
Tex cackled while scrubbing his face. “Oh my God, that was some funny shit.” He rubbed his eyes.
“Yeah? You approve?” Malik freed my hand.
“I do. I wish they had karaoke at the gay bar. We’d have so much fun.” He leaned back in his seat.
“Hey, are you guys really together?” The brunette from the next table over stood and strolled toward us, her skort showing off long legs and cropped blouse revealing toned abs.
Hell, she had just the type of build I liked. As my cock woke, I said, “No, we’re just good friends having a little fun.” I combed my fingers through my bangs. I’d let my hair grow long before coming here. Change was good, right?
“Oh, great.” She clasped her hands over her chest, swaying slightly. “How about your friends, then? Are they straight?”
The other two girls at the table threw me flirty looks.
“Um…” I grabbed Malik’s arm and hauled him to me. I didn’t want to speak for him and Tex.
“What?” Malik’s gaze rested on the brunette. “Oh, hello.” He gave her a coy grin. “Did you like the show?”
“I did.Wedid.” She swiveled to her friends for a moment and returned. “You guys are straight, huh?”
Malik’s eyes widened. “Oh, I’m, uh, I like girls, but my friend behind me is…” He twisted toward Tex.