As my stomach knotted, I watched the three dots blink at me. What would happen when Colton told his father about us? Would it be just as heart-wrenching? Hell, I didn’t want to go through that. I took a bite of bacon.
Colton
Hey, that’s okay. I should get some studying done, anyway. You’ve been keeping me from it . Have a good day, and I’ll see you on Tuesday instead.
Of course, he understood. That was my man. By Tuesday, hopefully, all this would blow over, and he’d finally get to meet my friends. After texting him my address, I sighed and ate some eggs.
“He should be here any minute.”I stood by the front door, looking through the window into our front yard and the landscaping rocks under the tree. Colton was finally coming to my house. It was under the guise of a study session, but I doubted there’d be much studying tonight.
Malik twisted at the end of our sectional, throwing an arm along the back. “You sure are excited to see your tutor.”
With a sly grin, Grey, sitting beside Malik, said, “Maybe he’s being tutored in more things than schoolwork.”
“Yeah? Like what? Blowjobs?” Malik snickered and paused the sports show on the television.
“You wish.” Rolling my eyes, I returned my attention to the street. That remark might resurface once they discovered our true relationship. How would Colton take it?
Car headlights came toward me and Colton’s Toyota Corolla parked in front of the house.
“Shit, he’s here.” My heart thumped against my ribcage as I stood at the door, waiting for him to knock. Should I just open it?I was itching to run out there and kiss him senseless. I set my hand on the doorknob.
“Dude, just open the door. What are you waiting for?” Malik’s brows creased.
“Shit. Okay.” I felt like a kid waiting to open Christmas presents for fuck's sake. I popped the door open and Colton stood on the landing with a twelve-pack of beer dangling from his hand. Under his jacket, his grey polo hung unbuttoned, and his jeans fitted snugly on his lower half.
Goddamn, he was gorgeous. “Hi, ba—” Fuck me. “I mean, Colton.” I forced myself to step aside so he could enter.
“The dude has beer.” Malik hopped off the couch and strode toward the door. “If I’d known tutors brought beer to study sessions, I would have hired one every semester.”
Colton’s wide smile reached his stunning green eyes, while his brown bangs hung to his cheekbones. “Hi, you’re Malik?” He held the beer out to Malik.
“Yeah.” With a side-hug, Malik took the beer. “Nice to meet you, Colton.”
Grey strolled toward us, rubbing his palms against his hips. “Grey Moore. It’s a pleasure.” He extended his hand.
Giving his hand a firm shake, Colton said, “Likewise. You both played well on Friday.”
“Thank you.” With a glance at me, Grey said, “Come in, please.”
While I watched the exchange, I stood there like a statue. I should have introduced them, but my brain had been stuck on how amazing it was to have Colton in my home. Finally.
“Who wants a beer?” Malik tore open the twelve-pack on the kitchen island. “Everyone?”
“Yes, please.” Colton stepped to me, his gaze searching my face. “How are you?”
“Stunned, nervous, excited.” I slipped my hand into his and led him toward the kitchen. There was no better time than the present.
As Malik handed Grey a beer, he gazed toward our entwined hands, and his eyes narrowed. “Well, I’ll be. I knew it. I fucking knew it.” As a shit-eating grin swept his lips, he sauntered toward us with two beers in his hands. “You son of a bitch. You’ve been fucking your tutor, haven’t you?”
Grey twisted at the island, mid-sip of his beer.
As my heart swelled, I said, “Not just fucking. We’re boyfriends.” I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and hugged Colton to my side. Thank God, Malik had taken it well and wasn’t mad. But then, this was my happy-go-lucky friend we were talking about here.
Colton’s cheeks flushed red. “I’m sorry he couldn’t tell you, but school policy forbids tutors from dating their students.”
Handing each of us a beer, Malik said, “We would have kept your secret, but yeah, I understand you not being comfortable with everyone knowing.” He peeked at Grey, now ambling toward us.
“Secrets are a prison. I found that out this week. I’m glad you both are free of it.” Grey hugged me and then Colton. “Here’s to living our lives free of our chains.” He held his beer up and we each tapped them together before drinking them.