Chapter 5
FIVE
ELI
Humming, I strolled into the house and dropped my backpack on the dinette. I’d seen Malik’s vehicle in the garage, so I knew he was home. After opening the refrigerator, I grabbed the peanut butter. I was craving peanut butter and bananas today. Maybe I was low on potassium? Who knew?
Unscrewing the cap of the peanut butter jar, I eyed the bananas resting in a bowl. They were turning brown, so someone had to eat them.
“Hey.” Malik strolled into the main room. “What are you eating?” He stepped to my side and planted his big hand on my shoulder.
“Peanut butter and banana.” I scooped the peanut butter into a bowl with a butter knife. “Want some?”
“Hell yeah.” He grabbed two bananas and made his way to the dinette. “You need to update me on your love life.” He fell into a chair at the head of the table and peeled a banana.
“Well, it just so happens I caught Wren at the campus Starbucks today.” I had a feeling he’d go there after knowing about his coffee habit on the road.
After ripping a few paper towels off the holder, I ambled to the dinette and sat beside Malik.
I set the bowl of peanut butter on the table along with a butter knife.
I’d been doing my best to make headway with Wren.
All he needed was time. “We had a nice little chat.”
“You did?” He handed me a banana and spread peanut butter on the end of his own. “So, are you two cool now?”
“I think so.” I added peanut butter to my banana and stuffed it in my mouth.
The way Wren had hugged me at the end of our discussion told me everything I needed to know.
He still had feelings for me too. After swallowing, I said, “He agreed to let me take him to lunch or dinner soon. We’ll start off as friends, but I think if I can gain his trust again, it’ll be more. ”
“Damn, dude. You’re dialed in to this guy.” He ate a bite of banana and peanut butter. “I guess this means you’ll be calling off all the other guys who like you?” He snickered.
“What guys?” I hadn’t had a date since the last school year, and it had gone nowhere. I spread peanut butter on my banana.
With a shrug, he said, “I don’t know. I thought some guys tried to hook up with you at the helpline. It seems like it might be a good place to pick up dudes.”
“That’s frowned upon. We’re there to help people, not hit on them.” I took a bite of the food. I needed a plan to redeem myself with Wren, and maybe Malik could help. “Hey, if you wanted to show a guy you were serious about him, what would you do?”
He tensed the corner of his mouth as he chewed. “I don’t know. You gave him flowers already, right?”
“Yeah, but he couldn’t take them home. Maybe I should buy him more?” I ate the last of my banana and wiped my mouth. What was it Wren really liked? He’d been so strict with his diet in high school, I’d never bought him treats or cooked for him. “Maybe his roommate would know? I have her number.”
“You do? You sly dog, you.” He raised the corner of his mouth. “I think it’s a great idea to ask her. I’m sure Wren’s tastes have changed since high school.”
“And she appears to be on my side, too.” I slipped my phone from the pocket of my backpack and tapped the screen.
Eli
I want to get something special for Wren. What does he like?
My phone chimed.
Grace
Besides pumpkin-spiced lattes? LOL. He likes the liquor-infused Danishes from the Queer Confections bakery on Mill Avenue. But he’ll only let himself have one a week, so don’t buy a bunch. If you do, I’ll end up eating them, and then I’ll be mad at you.
I lifted my brows. “Oh, he likes Danishes from the bakery Tex went to a few times.” I tapped my lips with my fingers. I could stop by between classes tomorrow and get him one. But I’d need to bring it to him. With a grin, I texted Grace.
Eli
Do you know his class schedule?
The dots blinked at me.
Grace
I don’t, but I can get it.
Eli
Please do and send it to me. I want to bring him a Danish tomorrow.
Grace
Will do.
“Dude, what’s up?” Malik finished his banana and licked his fingers.
“I’m getting Wren’s class schedule from his roommate, so I can surprise him with a Danish tomorrow.” As warmth wrapped around my heart, I set my phone on the table. Wren wouldn’t know what hit him. He’d see me everywhere.
“That’s very stalker of you.” Malik snorted. “Maybe you should bring him a gift daily until he caves and agrees to a date?”
“What a great idea.” After licking peanut butter off the knife, I brought the dishes and banana peels to the sink. “I’ll see if I can get other ideas from the internet.” I was on a mission now.
The next day, I stood outside a classroom inside the business building with a Danish tucked inside a bag with the Queer Confections logo on it, watching students filter out. Wren’s class schedule mirrored some of my own, so it wouldn’t be too hard to meet him between classes.
As Wren strolled from the classroom, he was chatting with another man, and as his gaze caught mine, he stopped. “Oh, Eli. What are you doing here?” He glanced at the bag in my hand.
“Danish?” I held it out to him. Who was the guy with him? I eyed the other man, who had dark hair and eyes and a muscular body. I didn’t get queer vibes from him, but you never knew.
Brushing his hand down the back of his hair, Wren said, “Oh, thank you. How many are there?” He glanced at his classmate. “I was about to study with Jackson here.”
Heat filtered through my chest. “There’s only one. I was told you’d only eat one a week.” And I wasn’t expecting him to be with someone.
“It’s cool, man. We can visit the bakery and study. Then I can get one too.” Jackson gave me a smug grin.
Hitching my backpack up my shoulder, I clenched my jaw and then said, “Yeah, you do that.” I had another class in fifteen minutes, damn it, or I’d try to tag along with them. I needed to know who this guy was.
“Okay, guess we’ll do that.” Wren held the bag up. “Thanks, Eli. I love the Danishes there.” He narrowed his eyes. “Do you have a class now?”
“I uh…” Could I get out of it? No, it was Personality Theory, and it was too important. “I do have a class. Enjoy the pastry.” I swiveled and strode toward the front door of the building. I looked like an idiot. Maybe this was a bad idea?
As I threw the glass doors open, the sunshine hit my face, and I squinted. My phone buzzed in my backpack, and I fished it out, then opened the screen with my face. A text message popped up.
Wren
Thank you for the Danish. It was a friendly gesture, and I appreciate it. I’m just wondering how you knew where I was.
He had the same cell number from high school. As a smile played over my lips, I typed.
Eli
You’re welcome. Don’t give Grace too much grief for letting me know where you’d be. She’s just trying to be helpful.
Wren
That’s what I figured. Thanks again.
Now to find out who Jackson was. With a glance around me at the students walking on pathways under the palms, I texted Grace.
Eli
Who is Jackson? Should I be concerned about him?
Grace
He’s a study partner in his class. I don’t think there’s any interest.
But Wren and Jackson were about to walk into a queer-owned bakery that featured rainbow cupcakes. Sure, straight people went there. The food was amazing. I pressed my lips together.
Eli
Is Jackson queer?
Grace
You’re jealous… I don’t think so.
Okay, not helpful. I pushed my lips to the side. I’d have to leave it for now. There was a class to go to. After stuffing my phone in my backpack’s pocket, I strode along the path toward my building.
The next afternoon, after my classes finished, Wren still had one last class. I’d picked up a nice card this time and with an invitation for dinner with me. Hopefully, Jackson wouldn’t be around this time.
As I strolled to the classroom entrance, I dropped my backpack on the floor and leaned my back against the wall. Fuck, what if Wren turned me down? My pulse spiked, and I drummed my fingers against the wall. He already agreed to have lunch or dinner with me. But what if he changed his mind?
Wren rounded a corner, chatting with…fucking Jackson.
Damn it, did they have the same major? I bumped off the wall, my cheeks heating. “Hey, Wren.”
“Oh, hey, Eli.” He stopped in front of me and looked me up and down. With a short laugh, he said, “Will I be seeing you every day now?”
“More Danishes today?” Jackson swayed his head and scanned me, as if looking for a bakery bag.
“No, not today.” I puffed a breath out of my nose. Damn it, this guy needed to leave us alone. “I have a card.” I handed it to Wren.
“Oh.” Turning the card in his hand, his mouth tensed. “I’ll read it after class.” He peeked at Jackson.
I held my hand out. “Uh, could you read it now? There’s a question I want you to answer.” If he agreed to dinner in front of Jackson, then maybe the guy would understand that Wren was mine.
Wrinkling his brows, he said, “Are you sure? I can read it later and get back to you over text.”
Jackson raised his brows and smirked at me. “What? Is it a love letter?” He sniggered.
“It’s…” I huffed an exhale. “Yeah, read it later and get back to me.” God fucking damn it. Jackson was ruining it for me. I made to leave, and my arm wrenched backward.
Wren stepped in close, his warm hand clutching my arm. “Thank you, Eli. I’ll respond in an hour. Okay?”
“Sure.” I focused on his plump lips. His mouth was so close. I could kiss him. My gaze swung to Jackson, peering at us. “Talk to you soon.” I stalked off. All I could do now was wait.
God, I was a mess. Pacing across the main room of the Desert Dog house, I glared at my phone as I held it in my face. It had been almost two hours, and I’d heard nothing from Wren. Could something have happened to him? I’d only asked for him to have dinner with me. I hadn’t called it a date.
Casey strolled into the room from the hallway, holding his car keys. “Hey, I’m having dinner at Ryker’s house tonight, so count me out.” As he grabbed the door handle, he stopped and looked sideways at me. “What’s up?”
“I’m just waiting for a text.” With a scoff, I fell onto the end of our well-worn sectional and dropped my phone on the coffee table. Would he leave it alone? He was obviously in a hurry to leave.
“Who from?” Casey stalked across the room with a smirk teasing his lips. “A guy? A date?”
I didn’t feel like getting into it with him. “A guy I knew from high school. Turns out he’s on the cheering squad.” I’d done it now.
“A guy you knew?” He tapped his lips. “Would this be the guy who broke your heart?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Who told you?” Did it matter? But I’d only sworn Malik to secrecy. I peeked at the door. How long would he stay to talk?
“Tex mentioned you were trying to make amends for being a dick in high school.” He patted my shoulder. “I've gotta leave, but I hope you work things out with him, and you get that date.”
Huffing a scoff, I said, “It’s not a—”
“What’s for dinner?” Malik entered the kitchen through the garage entrance. “I’m starved.” Throwing his backpack on the dinette, he did a double take of us. “What’s going on?” He peeked toward the sink. “Why is nothing thawing?”
“Because Eli’s being an on-call bitch.” Casey snorted. “He’s waiting for a guy to text him to see if they have a date tonight. If so, you and Tex are on your own for dinner.”
“What?” Tex ambled into the room from the bedrooms, his blond hair a damp mop and a towel wrapped around his waist. “I was looking forward to the chicken dish you make.”
Shit, now everyone knew the situation. “I…might not make dinner tonight. I asked my ex to have dinner with me at the sushi place in Tempe Marketplace.” Gripping my phone tighter, my stomach churned.
“But, fuck, if he doesn’t text, I guess the sushi dinner is off.
” And it spoke volumes about where Wren’s head was at.
“Well, when will you know? We have to thaw the chicken.” Malik stepped to the refrigerator and pulled out a Ziplock bag of frozen chicken breasts.
“So, you think he won’t text?” I pursed my lips. Fuck it, Wren probably wouldn’t text at this point. I should have heard from him already. Expelling a long breath, I slapped my hands on my thighs and rose. “Submerge the chicken in water in the sink. It’ll thaw faster.”
Malik ran water into the sink. “How long have you been waiting for this text?”
“Guys, I have to run.” Grabbing my arm, Casey planted a quick kiss on my cheek. “I hope it works out for you, dude.” He strode to the door and left.
“He should have texted almost an hour ago.” As a heavy weight fell on my heart, I ambled into the kitchen. Might as well start dinner.
“Eli, I’m sorry, man.” Tex stepped to me and as he side-hugged me, his towel dropped to the floor, his junk on full display.
“Dude, that’s not sanitary. Cover that monster.” With a chortle, Malik pointed toward Tex’s dick.
“Good God.” I rolled my eyes as a grin worked its way across my lips. They’d tried to lighten my mood.
“Yeah? You’re just jealous it’s so meaty.” Tex stepped to the center of the kitchen and rocked his hips, flipping his cock into the air.
Covering his eyes with his arms, Malik fake gagged. “Put it away. I see enough of it in the locker room.”
Tex cackled and picked up his towel from the floor. “Yeah, Thompson, I see you looking at me in the shower.”
With another fake gag, Malik said, “I swear, if I find a pubic hair in my food—”
My phone buzzed on the coffee table.
“Fuck, maybe that’s Wren.” I jogged to the table and snatched my phone, fumbling it before holding it to my face and tapping.
Wren
Sure, we can have dinner. I’ll meet you at Kabuki around 6?
As my heart swelled with warmth, I tapped my phone and smiled.
Eli
See you there.
“Guys, return the chicken to the refrigerator and order a pizza or something.” I held the phone to my chest and faced them, staring at me.
“So, no chicken with sun-dried tomatoes tonight?” Malik blinked a few times.
“No, maybe Sunday?” I checked the time on my phone. It was five-fifteen already. I could still shower and shave before I left.
Tex strolled to me, holding his towel over his groin. “I’m happy for you, man.” He patted my shoulder. “Go show him the new you and charm the pants off him.” He offered a broad grin.
“Literally.” Malik snickered as he stuffed the frozen chicken into our refrigerator. “Hey, Tex, want to DoorDash some Mexican?”
“Sure. Get me the usual.” Tex strolled to the bedroom hallway.
“I’m heading into the shower. Are you done in there?” I called to Tex. If he weren’t, I’d have to make it quick.
“Yes, have at it and don’t forget to manscape.” Tex cackled.
“Oh, brother.” With a long sigh, I walked toward the hallway. These guys thought I’d be having sex tonight. I doubted that. But I’d manscape, just in case.