“Oh.” She plucked another slice of bruschetta from the table. “I’m starved. Should we order more food?”
“Why not?” With a huff, I sank into the couch, draping my arm across the back. She was here to stay.Wasshe stalking Colton? “Where were you going when you drove by?”
“Oh, I was coming home from a Target run. I needed somenew clothes.” Her gaze flashed at Colton. “I wanted to look nice for my lunch date with Colton on Saturday.”
Colton shrank further.
“I heard about that. Colton’s looking forward to it.” I gave her a smirk. She wouldn’t know why yet.
Rubbing his temple, Colton said, “Yeah, it’s too bad I already had plans with Evan to watch the game on Saturday night.”
“Maybe we could watch the game together? All three of us?” She drank more wine. “I like football.”
Heat swept across my chest. Hell no. What would Colton say?
“Maybe.” He gnawed his lower lip and then took a few gulps of wine.
“Oh, honey, you shouldn’t drink wine that fast.” Leaning across the table, she touched his knee.
He wouldn’t. He was supposed to break it off with her at lunch. I peered at him. He was a people-pleaser for sure. My chest stung. Was this his reason for being with me now? No, he found me attractive. It showed. His body language was completely different with Sara than it was with me.
As the waitress stopped at the table, Sara ordered a few more bruschetta boards.
“So, when is your next tutoring session, Tex?” She arched a brow, eyeing me.
“Uh, tomorrow afternoon.” I shifted in my seat as my gut tensed. What would she say about it?
“Do you two meet every other day now?” She gave a stuttered laugh. “Wow, you must really enjoy each other’s company. I only see Colton, what, once a week at most?”
The server set down the additional boards.
Colton lifted his head, staring straight at her. “We’ve become friends, Sara. It’s not unusual.”
“If you say so. But Tex is gay. Are you also queer, Colton?” Her smile dropped.
I clenched my jaw. What a bitch.
“No, of course not. Why would it matter if he’s gay?” He scoffed. “Evan is good friends with a queer hockey player. It doesn’t make him queer.”
I couldn’t take any more. With heat swarming my chest, I held my palm to her and said, “You need to watch yourself…honey.”
As she faced me, her gaze softened. “Oh, I’m sorry. I meant nothing by that. It just seems…” She shrugged a shoulder. “I’ve never known a straight guy who’s had a gay friend.”
“Well, now you do.” Colton straightened his shoulders. “Apology accepted. Right, Travis?” He patted my knee.
I mumbled, “Yeah, guess so.” Fuck her. I picked up one of the new bruschetta and ate it. I’d happily eat her food, but I wouldn’t pay for it.
We sat in awkward silence for a while, eating the rest of the food and drinking our wine. If only I could escape the place with Colton at my side. I wouldn’t let him stay here with her.
As she ate the last slice, she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “You two sure are quiet.” She chuckled. “What do you discuss when I’m not around? Football?” She downed her wine.
What did we talk about? Our lives and how he didn’t like her. I smirked. “We talk about whatever is on our minds.” I drank more wine. We were done with this. “Let’s get the check.”
After splitting the bills and paying for the food and wine, we rose and strolled toward the door.
Sara turned at the entrance and reached for Colton’s hand. “Walk me to my car?”
Flicking his gaze to mine, Colton winced. “Yeah, sure.”