14. Fourteen
Fourteen
Jude
A s we pull up to Cooper’s house, I can’t help but look around. I’ve been here before, but the place still looks huge. It’s right next to the lake with beach access, making it the perfect place for the group of us to gather and have a bonfire. By the end of the night, most of us will end up crashing in guest rooms or on couches, too drunk to stumble home.
I’ve been to parties like this with Tae before, but tonight feels different, showing up as his boyfriend. I don’t know if he plans on telling his friends, but with Austin and Morgan already knowing, chances are the rest of them aren’t far behind. Still, all of this feels like new territory to me. I don’t know how to act as Tae’s boyfriend. I can’t even recall a time he had a boyfriend around.
“You’re overthinking,” Tae whispers in my ear as he slips his arm around my back.
I turn to look at him, my eyes meeting his brown eyes. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“After all this time, I know you, Jude. Relax. No one is going to think it’s a big deal we’re together. You don’t have to do anything different, but if you want to hold my hand or kiss me, feel free.”
Part of me hates how dead-on his words are.
“Heads up,” Austin’s voice cuts off our conversation as we walk around to the backyard.
Tae sticks his hand out, easily grabbing the frisbee before it almost hits me in the face. He flings it in Zach’s direction, and we make our way to the cooler to grab drinks. Morgan sees us and gives me a little wave, though she doesn’t stop talking with Bryce to come greet me. Tae pulls two beers out and hands one bottle to me. His eyes light up as he traces the rim of his beer bottle with his tongue. He sends me a naughty wink as his tongue slides inside the neck of the bottle, and I shake my head at him. We’re in far too public of a setting for me to take him seriously, but that doesn’t stop my dick from twitching at the thought of Tae’s tongue inside of me. Which is probably exactly why he does it.
Our moment is interrupted by Austin as he slings one arm around each of our shoulders. “Glad you two finally got together, but do you have to rub it in everyone’s faces?” he asks.
Tae takes a sip of his beer before answering. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I’m pretty sure my flushed cheeks give us away, but maybe it’s not as obvious in the dim lighting of the bonfire. I can hope, right?
“Uh huh, sure,” Austin sarcastically draws out the word.
“Jealous?” Tae asks.
“Please, I could hook up if I wanted to.” Austin moves his arm off me to take a drink of his beer.
“Right, well, we’ll let you get to that. I’m gonna need my boyfriend if you don’t mind,” I say pulling Tae from Austin’s grip. He laughs but doesn’t fight me, and he looks around the beach for someone else to talk to. I really don’t care about the other people. I’m here for Tae, and if he hadn’t wanted to come, I’d probably be home tonight.
“You okay?” Tae asks when we’re alone again.
“I’m fine. Just a lot of people here tonight.” Most of Tae’s baseball team showed up and a few cheerleaders. It’s more peopley than I’d like.
Tae leans in, placing a quick kiss on my cheek. “Focus on me,” he whispers in my ear.
I try to follow his advice and take a swig of my beer. I don’t know how I feel about loosening up around Tae at this party. I know most of the people by association, but they’re Tae’s friends, not mine. It shouldn’t be a big deal for me to kiss him in front of them, but for whatever reason, it still feels big. I guess there’s a difference between calling Tae my boyfriend and being okay with kissing him in public. Then again, I was never huge on PDA to begin with, and Tae knows that. Despite holding my hand and quick cheek kisses, he hasn’t been overly touchy. He’s following my lead and not giving his friends a show. It’s almost nice that I don’t have to worry about Tae taking things too fast or too far.
As darkness falls, people gather around the bonfire making s’mores, and someone suggests a game of truth or dare. “I’m in,” a few call out, and Tae looks at me, waiting for my answer before he says anything one way or another. I shrug, leaving it up to Tae, and he takes my hand, lacing our fingers together as he leads me over to the group. “We’re in.”
“Really? Truth or dare?” Bryce complains despite joining the circle people are setting up for the game. “I guess it’s better than spin the bottle.” He shrugs taking a look around at everyone. Morgan and Zach join with Morgan sitting next to Bryce. Austin takes his place on the other side of Tae, and I find myself seated next to Cooper.
“Whose first?” Morgan asks.
“Just pick someone,” Bryce chimes in.
“Fine, Bryce, truth or dare?” Morgan asks, turning her body to get a better look at him.
“Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss Austin,” she tells him.
“Please, give me a challenge.” Bryce stands up, walking across the circle to Austin and sits in his lap before placing his hand to cup his chin and pulls him in for a kiss. I half expect them to make out, but after a brief peck, Austin pulls back and glances at Cooper. His dare finished, Bryce walks back to the spot he was sitting and grabs his beer taking a drink before he looks around the group. “Cooper,” he says, singling out his brother. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth.
“Is there someone here that you’re attracted to?”
Cooper doesn’t look around as he answers. Instead he chugs what’s left of his beer. “Yeah.”
“Really, who?” Bryce asks before Cooper cuts him off.
“One question. That’s it. Zach, truth or dare?”
The game continues, but I’m starting to lose interest, so my attention tracks to Tae instead. He’s sipping his beer as he looks around the circle following the game. I place my hand on his thigh and without a word, Tae laces his fingers with mine. I’m so distracted I almost don’t notice when my name is called. “Jude, truth or dare?” Jared asks.
“Uh, truth.”
“What’s going on between you and Tae?” he asks.
“We’re dating. He’s my boyfriend,” I answer.
“Ah,” Austin teases. “How sweet.”
The game dissolves from there. Cooper stands up stripping off his shirt and racing off towards the water and a few of the guys follow him. Tae turns toward me and uses his grip on my hand to pull me closer to kiss him.