We took an Uber to Mill Avenue since parking on Friday night could be impossible, and after exiting the vehicle, I met Dante on the sidewalk.
Dante, filling a colorful sheer button-down and jeans just right, strolled beside me along the sidewalk. “So, tell me more about this tutor. Like, how nerdy is he?” He flashed me a grin.
“He’s, well, he’s smart, yes, but he can be fun.” How the hell do I describe him? The hockey game had been fun with him. “He might be open to a shot of tequila with you.”
Cutting a knowing look at me, he said, “Will they stock any decent tequilas at the pizza place?”
“Guess we’ll find out.” I stopped at the glass doors of the restaurant and opened one. Being a bartender at a high-end bar, Dante had become very snobbish about his tequilas. “After you.”
He stepped inside, and I followed him.
Colton stood at the hostess stand, his gaze widening as it set on us.
“Hi, you must be Colton?” Dante approached Colton with his hand extended. “Tex has told me a lot about you.”
Shaking his hand, Colton said. “He has?” He tossed a glance at me.
I shrugged. I’d filled Dante in on all things Colton, except for his sexuality and our relationship status, while I’d gotten Dante settled at the house.
“Sure.” With a chuckle, Dante brushed his hand across the back of his head. “Shall we get a table?”
“We like to sit in the back. The karaoke can be loud, and we can hear our conversation better if we’re further away from it.” I drew my attention to the hostess and secured a booth against the back wall.
Dante and Colton followed me, and Dante slid into the bench seat next to me while Colton took a chair across from us.
Shit, I should have sat next to Colton. But it was hard to navigate without telling Dante we were a couple. This shouldn’t be so hard. “Beers?” I swung my gaze between them.
“Yes.” Dante tapped the table in front of Colton. “Hey, Tex says you might be interested in doing a shot of tequila with me?” He peeked at me. “Tex isn’t supposed to drink much tonight since he has a game tomorrow.”
Colton flashed his eyes at me and squirmed in his chair. “Yeah, I guess so.” He threaded his fingers on the table.
A server stopped by, and we ordered a pitcher of beer, along with a tequila for the shots that Dante found acceptable.
“So, you met Tex when you tutored him?” Dante eyed Colton.
“I did. He needed help with a business analytics class. It’s one of my specialties.” Colton fingered the edge of his napkin.
“I don’t even know what that is.” With a quick laugh, Dante planted his hand on my thigh. “Tex here has always been smart. Athletic, too, but smart. I’m surprised he needed help.”
“I don’t like numbers, and this class had a lot of math.” I glanced at Dante’s hand, warming my thigh. I’d always been affectionate with Dante—we had a history. But now it felt oddwhile sitting with Colton, especially when Dante didn’t know about us.
The server dropped off our beer and the shots.
“We should order our pizza, don’t you think?” As Colton picked up his menu, music started forSomebody Told Meby the Killers, and a man with dyed red hair stepped to the microphone.
“Yeah, good idea.” I scanned my menu. Colton should eat soon if he was doing a shot with Dante. “How about the supreme?”
“Works for me.” Dante poured beers for everyone and then held up his shot. “Colton, are you ready?”
“Sure.” Colton dropped his menu. “The supreme works for me too.” With his gaze locked on Dante, he held up his shot.
Dante tapped his glass on Colton’s. “To new friends.” He tipped the glass back.
“New friends.” Colton slammed the shot, hissed, and shuddered.
With a snicker, Dante said, “You okay, man?” He patted Colton’s hand, resting on the tabletop.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He smacked his lips and then drank his beer.