“Oh, would you look at him?” Dante started chatting with a man in a cowboy hat.
Thank God Dante had gotten distracted. “Colton, talk to me. What happened today?” I rested my arm along the bar, circling Colton.
“I can’t tell you all of it.” His gaze fell to my lips, and he licked his own. “But I’m considering coming out to Dante and telling him about us. Would he say anything to your roommates?”
My jaw fell. “Are you serious?” My heart pattered against myrib cage. It’s what I wanted from him, but was it too soon for him? “Don’t do something you’re not ready for.”
“Now you sound like Evan.” With a sharp laugh, he sipped his beer. “Coming to a place like this, well, it sort of normalizes my sexuality.”
“You just got here.” I rolled my eyes. It was the tequila talking. “Wait, you spoke with Evan? Today?” Had he spiraled?
With a ragged sigh, he said, “Yeah, I called him.” His gaze dropped toward his beer, and he fingered the rim. “I should have been the one wearing your shirt, not Dante. He needs to know you’re with someone…falling for someone.” His hardened gaze returned to mine. “And that you’re mine.”
I balked. Was this real? Where had meek Colton gone?
“Come on, let’s dance.” With a flirtatious giggle, Dante pulled on my arm. “I love this song.”
“What is it?” I wasn’t up on the latest in dance music, but since Dante worked in a bar, he obviously was. The club thumped with a strong beat. I grabbed Colton’s hand. “Do you want to dance with me?”
“I can’t.” He ripped his hand free from mine. “I don’t know how and I’d look stupid.” He huffed. “Besides the fact that someone might see us.”
Dante tugged on my arm again. “Come on, Tex, before the song ends.”
God, this was torture. What should I do? I gauged Colton’s reaction.
“Go, I’ll be fine. I’ll stay right here.” He pushed on my chest.
“No…” I couldn’t leave him. But how could I explain it to Dante?
“He said it was okay.” Dante yanked me.
I stepped away from Colton. Pointing at him, I said, “Don’t you dare go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” As Dante dragged me to the dance floor, my chest twisted. This wasn’t right. I knew we should have gone somewhere else.
“Hey, look at me.” As Dante stood in front of me, he patted my cheek. “You really have it bad for him.”
“Who? Colton?” Jesus fuck, should I just admit it? I bounced to the music and swayed, keeping my distance from Dante. If I were single, I would have gotten close to Dante. But I couldn’t allow that now.
“Yes, Colton.” He swung his arm around my waist and pulled our hips closer. “He’s got it bad for you too. I can tell.” He glanced behind me. With a soft snort, he said, “I tested him today.”
My gaze caught Dante’s, his face close to mine. “What do you mean?” Dante could be devious when he wanted to.
“When he saw me in your team shirt, his eyes told me all I needed to know.” He smirked. “If he could shoot laser beams from them, he would have.” He swayed back and forth with me.
“Okay.” Jesus, Dante fucking knew. But of course, he did. As a bartender, he could read people. “Okay, so tell me about this testing.”
With a giggle, he held the back of his hand to his mouth. “I told him I wanted you back someday.” His brows rose. “And then I asked him if you were seeing anyone.” His smile waned. “He went a little crazy, I have to admit. He pretended to use the bathroom, but then called someone instead.”
“Fuck, Dante, you’re so mean.” Laughing a scoff, I shook my head. But I knew Dante meant well. He had a good heart and, in his own way, he figured he could help us. “So, is this why you insisted on taking him to the gay bar?”
With a curt nod, he said, “There’s no better way to feel included in the community than to be in a place like this.” He hung his arm on my shoulder. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s really going on?”
I glanced at Colton, watching us like a hawk and glued to the bar. Shit, he was probably jealous of Dante after what he’d told him. “It’s complicated, and he’s seeing a therapist. But you’reright. We’re dating…well, I’m…” Should I tell him? Hell, it was Dante. “I think I’m in love with him.”
“Oh my God, Tex.” His face lit and his smile reached his eyes. “I’m so happy for you.” The smile faded. “But you deserve the best. Do you think he can give you what you need?”
“Eventually.” I stepped back from Dante and swung my arms to the beat while I bounced. I shouldn’t be this close with Colton watching. “He’s working on it. Right now, the biggest problem is he’s tutoring me until the end of the semester.” I sighed. “The school policy says tutors can’t date their students, and he’s a stickler for rules.”
Dante nodded. “I see. So, when the semester is over, you can be together publicly.”