Chapter 26
Dax
I have never been this excited for a date, but I’ve also never had a date with a boyfriend .
I still have no idea how that happened. It’s this blur in my mind where one minute I didn’t have a boyfriend and the next I did, and I’m really fucking happy about that.
Which is weird because it’s never been something I wanted, and part of me is still confused that I want it with Miles Tanner , but then when I think about how I feel when we’re together, it makes perfect sense.
Apparently, we’re going to dinner and to the art museum. Though he would probably hate hearing this, it was really cute when he texted to tell me, like he wanted to make sure it was okay, like he worries he isn’t doing this right. I’m so fucking privileged I get to see all the parts of him.
I rinse the conditioner out of my hair, turn off the shower, and dry off. I’m shaving at my bathroom sink, a towel wrapped around my waist, when the door to my bedroom flies open, Andy and Teddy tripping over each other to get inside.
“Make yourself at home,” I tease. “What if I was naked?”
“Please, like we haven’t seen you naked,” Andy jokes.
Yeah, but that was before I had a boyfriend. I have a feeling my guy wouldn’t like that, and in a way I never expected, I find that incredibly hot. There’s something sexy as fuck about a possessive boyfriend.
“Can I help you?” I ask, wiping the extra shaving cream off my face with a washcloth.
“Dude, we heard you’re going on a date with Miles Tanner.” Teddy makes a face like, you okay, bro?
“Did you lose a bet?” Aiden comes in too.
What is this? Circle time in my room?
“Sorry. I tried to hold them back.” Leo comes in, followed by Damien.
“He’s lying,” Teddy calls Leo out, who does at least look embarrassed. “He likes to pretend he’s not as interested in what’s going on, but he’s the one who told us.”
“Thou shalt not rat out your president.” Leo snickers, but I’m watching Damien.
While the rest of the guys are confused about my spending time with Miles and now my date, Damien is the only one who’s butthurt about it.
He really seems to hate Miles, which annoys me.
None of these guys really know him or have given him a chance.
I grab a pair of boxer trunks, then change my mind, plucking my favorite blue jock from the drawer and tugging it on beneath my towel.
“It’s like that, huh?” Andy snickers.
“Oh yes. It’s like that.” I pump my brows.
“First, did you all forget he bid on me? And even if he hadn’t, yes, I would go on a date with him.
One does that with their boyfriend .” I toss the word out, waiting for a response.
They’ll find out sooner or later. I’d rather it happened now, when it’s just us and Miles isn’t around, because that’s another thing—though being alone at his place is much nicer, I do want to be able to bring him around here without any drama.
“Shut the hell up.” Teddy laughs as if I’m joking.
“Pretty sure he’s serious,” Aiden replies.
“Freshman gets it.” I wink at him.
“Why the fuck are you dating him?” Damien asks in unison with Leo’s, “Dax Armstrong has a boyfriend? This is an interesting turn of events.”
My gaze meets Damien’s. “Yes, which I figure you appreciate since clearly, you don’t want me dating your stepbro.”
He flips me off. “I don’t give a fuck what Brady does.”
Hmm. Why don’t I believe him? Maybe because I’ve seen too many stepbros in denial. “Whatever you say. Anyway, I need you to be chill about Miles. He’s not who you think he is.”
“He literally set Sigma Alpha’s house on fire last year.”
No, he didn’t. He took the fall for a friend. That’s the kind of guy he is.
It’ll kill me to keep holding that in. I’m so tired of Miles being judged for something he didn’t do—something that even if he had done, was an accident.
“Leave it alone, Damien.”
“I’m not trying to be a dick.”
“But you are. Seriously. I like him. You’re my brothers. We’re supposed to have each other’s backs.” I tug on a pair of jeans, then head into the closet for a shirt.
The room is surprisingly quiet, and when I come back out, completely dressed, Leo says, “He’s right. If Dax says Miles is a good guy, we should trust him. We should at least try and be supportive of our ATM brother.”
This is so Leo. He’s the levelheaded, diplomatic one of the bunch.
“Thank you, Leo. Listen, I’m not saying you all have to love him, or even like him, just…be civil.”
“The way he was civil to my brother when he practically fought him last year?” Aiden asks, and damn it, he has a point.
“Okay, maybe Aiden doesn’t have to be civil to him, but the rest of you do,” I joke, and everyone except Damien laughs. Hopefully he’ll come around eventually.
“I’m teasing you,” Aiden says. “It’s not like any of us are perfect.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” I bump fists with him. “Now can someone tell me I look really fucking hot for my date, because I’m starting to feel like my looks aren’t being appreciated.”
That earns me another round of laughter and some compliments, which I soak up.
I run my fingers through my hair a few times so it looks sexily mussed, then right on time, the doorbell rings.
Leo, Andy, and Teddy all look at each other, then bolt for the door, clearly wanting to be the one to answer and likely fuck with Miles.
I hurry and get my socks and shoes on, entering the living room as Teddy asks, “What are your intentions with our fratbro?”
I cross my arms and lean against the wall. “Yes, Miles. Now that you have me, what are you going to do with me?”
“None of your business,” Miles snaps, but with less fire than usual, as if unsure how to act around them.
“It was a joke,” Andy pipes in. “You know…being funny? Breaking the ice.”
“Hey, chill,” I tell him.
“Whatever,” Miles says. “What’s between us is between us.”
I figure that’s as good as it’s going to get for now. I can’t push too hard too fast.
“Exactly,” I say. “Don’t wait up, boys. Daddies will be out late.” I walk to the door, stopping right in front of Miles, cocking my head in a silent question. When he gives me a small nod, I press my lips to his, partly placating, partly staking my claim. “Let’s go on our date, boyfriend.”
He grumbles, but doesn’t argue, going outside with me.
“What was that all about?” Miles asks when we’re in his car, driving away.
“I wanted to make sure everyone knows where we stand.”
“Boyfriends.” The word sounds funny on his tongue.
“You don’t have to say it like you’re miserable.”
He chuckles. “I’m not. It’s just…weird. You must admit it’s weird.”
“Definitely weird,” I agree.
“It’s still messing with my head.”
“Same. But it’s nice too.”
“We’ll see about that,” Miles mumbles.
I laugh, not taking offense. I have a feeling he’s more worried about messing up or how he’ll measure up in the boyfriend department than anything else.
I hate that Miles has such a low opinion of himself, when in reality he’s sweet, has a big heart, and is fiercely loyal.
He proved that when I was upset about my father and when he shared what he did for Caleb. “You’re a good boyfriend.”
“Why in the hell are you saying that?” He looks scandalized.
“Because you planned a fun date for us and picked me up in hostile territory and everything.”
“Your frat brothers hate me.”
“No, they don’t.”
“Great, you’re lying to me already. How will this relationship ever work?”
I like sarcastic Miles. He makes me happy.
“We’re doing okay so far. It’s basically the same as before.”
“Only now we’re going on a date.”
I snicker. “Well, you did pay a thousand dollars for me.”
He groans like he still can’t believe he did that, and while I don’t want him to be out that money, I can’t deny it feels good to have him want me all to himself that much.
“I’ll pay half of it.”
“No.”
“Yes,” I argue.
“Are we having our first fight? I’m not sure I’m prepared for that yet.”
“Just agree with me, and we won’t.” I set my hand on his thigh. “I’m not saying you’re nervous, but if you are, it’s okay. I’m nervous too.”
“We should try not talking about our feelings. It’s easier that way.” Miles pulls into the parking lot of a steakhouse. “It’s important to me to pay.”
“You literally put out a thousand dollars to go on this date. Doesn’t it make me a bit of an ass not to at least go halfsies with you?”
“It’s still my date. I want to pay.”
One I basically asked him to ask me to go on, but I let it go.
As I’m about to get out of the car, Miles says, “No. Like…stay there.”
“Okay…” What’s going on?
Miles gets out, walks around the car, and opens my door. I try not to let my mouth drop open, staring at him, heart thumping and maybe swelling as it computes what’s happening.
“You can get out now.”
“You opened the door for me.”
“Is that weird?”
I smile. “No. It’s incredibly fucking sweet.”
And I really, really like him. Maybe more than I should. Probably more than I should.
I get out, Miles closing the door behind me, then opening the one to the restaurant. He gives his name for our reservation, and the hostess seats us.
“I forgot to ask if this is good. Did you want another kind of food?”
I give him another smile. “This is perfect. You’re very good at this dating thing.”
“I don’t know if I would go that far.”
“I would.”
They take our order, and I get a steak salad, Miles a ribeye and a baked potato. There are moments where things are slightly awkward, or moments of silence, but I think it’s mostly our nerves. Overall, the conversation goes smoothly, and Miles is clearly trying hard to be a perfect gentleman.
“Are you sure I can’t split the bill with you?” I ask when we’re done eating. Good cause or not, I really don’t want him to have to pay a thousand dollars for me in the auction either, but I’m not sure how to handle that.
He shakes his head. “My date, I’m paying.”
“My treat next time, then.” And the time after that, and the next few as well, but I keep that to myself.
“We have to do this again?” he asks, eyes wide.
A laugh tumbles out of my mouth. “Not if you don’t really want to.”
“We’ll play it by ear.”
“Deal.”
It’s not until we get to the art museum that I can actually feel Miles relax. “I’ve been really excited about this Van Gogh exhibit.”
“Do you come here often?” I ask as he leads me over.
“You sound like you’re trying to pick me up.”
“Maybe I am,” I tease. “Do you?” I prompt.
“Yes, when they have new exhibits. It’s relaxing, and you know I love art.”
“One day I’ll get to come and see your work in a place like this.”
“You don’t have to say that.”
“I know. I’m saying it because it’s true. I believe in you. You’re really talented, Miles.”
He looks at me, maybe biting back a grin, but I can see how much my compliment means to him, how much he needs to hear it.
He gets compliments online all the time.
I’ve stalked his TikTok since I heard about it, and props to Tatum for his edits of Miles at work.
Based on the comments, it’s clear some are only there to see a hot, faceless guy in sexy outfits working on his latest painting.
But it’s also clear there are plenty more who see past the marketing and really appreciate the depth of what he creates.
And even knowing he attracts all these compliments and interest from strangers, I wanted to share my own feelings because it’s one thing when it comes from a random person, and something else entirely when someone you care about tells you they like something you love.
“Thank you, Dax.”
And when I take his hand, Miles gives mine a strong squeeze in return.
“Tell me everything,” I say, and Miles leads me to the first display and does exactly what I asked.