Chapter 2
OLIVER
Fuck. Please don’t stand me up. As much as I like to believe that my self-confidence is strong enough to take a few hits, it’s not. Not after the string of bad luck I’ve had over the last few months. Every date I’ve been on has been a complete waste of time.
I was so sure this one would be different, that Colt was different. It’s only five minutes after the time we’re supposed to meet, but still. I didn’t want to be late, so I’ve been sitting at the bar for the last twenty minutes, nursing the same beer.
“Oliver?”
When I turn, I find a tall guy with dark curls standing in front of me, looking a little unsure of himself.
“That’s me. I hope you’re Colt.” First green flag: he looks like the picture on the app. Cute and perfectly nerdy. Exactly my type. “Sit,” I say as I pull out the barstool next to me.
It takes us a few minutes to get comfortable and call the bartender over.
Colt ends up ordering the same beer I’m having.
That gives him another few points in my book.
It’s not a requirement, but liking the same drinks could be a plus.
Maybe we could even go to the brewery together sometime.
They’re supposed to have cornhole and other games in the summer.
I’d be terrible at them, but it still sounds like fun.
“Moving here must be a big change. How are you finding Cardinal Falls?” I ask once we’ve settled in.
“It’s been great. I haven’t gotten much free time to explore yet, but I’m working on it.” Colt seems unsure of himself. Maybe that’s just me. When we were chatting on the app, I felt like we were hitting it off, like maybe there could be something between us. In person, there’s no spark.
“Well, let me know if you’re up for some sightseeing.
I’ve been here a year now and love taking people to the tourist spots,” I offer.
At the very least, if we don’t end up with chemistry, maybe I’ll get a new friend out of it.
I could use those. Moving to Cardinal Falls was a big change, one I don’t regret, but sometimes it’s lonely.
“You get a lot of visitors?” He stares at the counter, not bothering to make eye contact. Clearly, I’m boring him. Good work, Oliver.
“My siblings like to come to town and visit. I think they’re spying on me for my parents, but I love getting to see them, so it’s fine.”
“How many siblings do you have?”
“I’m the youngest of six.” That gets his attention.
He looks at me with the same wide-eyed, horrified expression everyone gets when I share that bit of information.
“I know, it sounds crazy. Both my parents were only children, so they wanted a big family. It’s pure chaos most of the time, but I can’t imagine growing up any other way.
” It’s true. I can’t imagine any other way.
No matter what time it is, one of my siblings is always available for advice, reassurance, or bail money.
“I only have one sister, but she pries into my business enough.” He turns his head and looks across the room to the same spot he’s been distracted by all evening.
I should be offended, but I don’t have the energy.
Honestly, I don’t even care. He’s nice, and I thought we had something, but clearly, I’m ending this night alone.
That’s fine. I’ll call it a success, considering nothing terrible has happened.
At least it’s a boring story. The exciting ones are getting to be too much for me.
“Um, so what do you do for fun?” Colt barely manages to look at me as he asks the question.
I resist the urge to lie and tell him I do something exciting, like rock climbing or sky diving. “Most people might not call it fun, but I like to crochet. I find it relaxing, and it gives me something to keep my hands busy.”
“Is that the one with the big metal needles?”
“Close, you’re thinking of knitting. Crochet is similar, but you only have one hook.
” I follow his gaze across the room to where a couple of guys are in a booth.
“Do you know those guys?” They’re both good-looking, though right now they look pissed.
Clearly, something’s going on between them. And once again, my date is a bust.
“Sort of. They’re friends of a friend.”
“Did you want to say hi?” I’d let my hand rest on his knee earlier in a misguided effort to keep his attention.
I pull it back and start calculating how long it will take me to get home.
The date part of the evening is over. I’d rather we both cut our losses and head home.
I still have time to read before I go to sleep.
I have a draft of my boss’s book to get through in the next day, and, while it’s enjoyable, I’m cutting it close on time.
Both men get up and march over toward us. “I think they’re coming over.”
God, please don’t let him be cheating on him with me. That’s one of the few bad date BINGO squares I don’t have yet, and I’d really like to keep it that way.
The tall one stops right in front of Colt, staring at him with an anger that I’m thankful isn’t directed at me. “I need to speak to you for a moment,” he says. Colt looks over at me, but I wave him off. No way am I getting involved in this.
“Go ahead. I’ll be here.” Maybe. If they don’t go toward the door, I might be able to slip out before they come back.
They move far enough away that I can’t hear what they’re saying.
As much as I want to eavesdrop, there’s no way to do it without being obvious.
If only I could read lips. With a great deal of effort, I pull my attention back to the bar counter.
After a few seconds of over-the-top theatrics, I get the bartender’s attention and motion for the check.
As soon as he brings it, I fork over my credit card to cover both our drinks.
AARON
The Flaming Unicorn looks the same as always when I pull up.
I’m late tonight, which means I’ll be on the hook for buying my friends a round.
It was worth it for the chance to work on a new project.
They don’t come up very often, and my boss tends to give them to his favorites, which is not me.
The only thing I had going for me this evening was that I was the only one in the office when they came looking for help.
Being behind on paperwork finally paid off.
I park my car at the edge of the lot and walk toward the front door. I spot Tyler with a hand on Nathan’s back while he vomits into the bushes.
The night isn’t off to a great start. I give Tyler a questioning look, but he shakes his head and motions for me to go inside.
After a moment of hesitation, I push open the door to The Flaming Unicorn.
Tyler’s more than capable of handling whatever that situation is.
Besides, he knows where to find me if he needs anything.
Best guess? Nathan has gotten himself worked up over his teenage crush moving back to town.
He swears he’s not interested in turning it into anything more, but we all know he’s kidding himself on that one.
I head inside and find Matthias sitting at a table alone, a pitcher of beer untouched in the middle.
“I feel like I missed something.” I slide in across from him and take in his expression.
His face is scrunched up, and he looks like he’s about to murder someone.
I follow his gaze to the bar, where I find Colt and a random guy.
The other guy has his hand on Tyler’s thigh, and they’re laughing about something.
Well, that’s not good.
“Is that why Nathan and Tyler left?” I nod my head toward the bar. Not that Matthias can see it since he hasn’t looked away since I sat down.
“Yeah, I caught the abbreviated version. Nathan was on his way out when I got here.” His jaw tenses.
“He really had to do this at our bar?” It’s not worth arguing that we don’t own this place.
Not really. But we’re here every Thursday night.
There are plenty of other gay bars in town that Colt could have gone to. “I’m going to say something.”
“Seriously? Matthias, leave it alone.”
“No.”
Yeah, I didn’t think that would work. I had to try, though.
When he gets up and stalks across the room, I don’t bother trying to stop him.
Instead, I roll my eyes and follow him, staying a few steps back.
The last thing I want is to cause trouble.
This bar has been our hangout for over a decade; I’m not getting kicked out over this.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Matthias asks Colt. The poor guy looks like he might wet himself. I don’t blame him either. Lucky for me, I’ve never been on this side of Matthias’s ire, though I’ve seen it in action several times.
“Um, hanging out?” Colt looks around, perhaps hoping Nathan will show up to rescue him.
“Are you here on a date?”
“Sort of?”
I let out a snort before I get control over myself and glance toward the bar, where Colt’s date is calling the bartender over to close out. From his tight jeans and tee, he came here with the intention of getting lucky. I almost feel bad that we’re ruining his plans.
Almost.
“So, what? You woke up and decided to parade your dates in front of Nathan? What the hell is wrong with you?” Matthias’s face is nearly purple.
“I wasn’t parading anyone. This is the only place I know to suggest. I didn’t plan for you guys to be here, too. Besides, what’s the big deal anyway? Where’s Nathan?”
“He left,” I say. It’s the only thing I have to add to this conversation. Hopefully, Tyler has him home and tucked into bed.
“How come?”
“What do you think?”
“I—” His face flashes between confusion and realization. We don’t need to be part of this. What happens next is between Colt and Nathan.
“Matthias, let’s go.” I tug on my friend’s arm, pulling him away from Colt. Before I can get him more than a few steps away, he leans in and whispers something in Colt’s ear. “Matthias,” I hiss.