Chapter Ten
chapter ten
DEREK
T he weekend rolls around and Keith and I are getting ready for our date. Bryson and I went to Bangers last night, dancing and having a few drinks. Since we’re both in relationships—Bryson finally making things official with the older man he met online—we spent our time dancing on our own and enjoying each other’s company. It was a great time.
Right after I got back from Bangers, I made my way to Keith, where he fucked me so good, I almost proposed marriage.
I walk up behind him as he’s brushing his hair in the bathroom and hug him from behind. “You look handsome tonight.”
Keith has on a light, navy-blue sweater and black jeans with these heavy black boots that give him another inch on me. Like he needs it.
He grins down at me through the mirror. “You do, too. I like you dressed up.” I have on a pair of ripped jeans and a forest-green long-sleeved shirt. I added a pair of brown boots to the mix to make me look like a real adult. He turns around and puts his hands on my waist. “Let’s tell Evan when he gets back from visiting his mom. I like you and want us to be together for a while. No need to continue to keep the secret from him.”
Nodding, I lay my head against his chest. “Okay. Whatever you want.”
“I want you. So that’s the best option.”
Grinning up at him, I give him a quick kiss and we leave the bathroom to finish getting ready for our date.
The restaurant is really cute, small, and intimate. The atmosphere is cozy, perfect for our date. Bryson, Evan, and I have been here a few times, but it feels different being here with a boyfriend.
After we’re shown to our table, Keith pulls out my chair for me. My face heats, but I smile and say thank you, happy that I snagged a true gentleman.
We get settled and check out the menu, ordering as soon as the waiter comes back to take our order.
Keith looks around appreciatively, a small smile on his face. “I never would’ve noticed this restaurant if you hadn’t pointed it out.”
I smile, looking around me. “The three of us stumbled on it one night when we wanted food, but everywhere else was closed. The owners were really sweet, letting us order when they were close to closing. In exchange for their kindness, we’ve been telling anyone that will listen that we found the best restaurant in the city. They’ve been getting steady business because they stay open later than most places and the food is really fucking good.”
“I can’t wait to try it,” Keith says with a grin, rubbing his sexy belly.
“You are mine when we get home.”
His smile turns dirty and he just nods and winks.
Dinner is great, the company even better. Keith and I talk and laugh, flirting shamelessly while we share our food. Instead of having our food separately, we put our plates in the middle of the table and share. It’s the best date I’ve ever had.
The date is going perfectly until I see familiar blond hair. I groan as Atlas walks into the restaurant with a few of his friends. I’m more than a little pissed that I told him about this place. He spots me and smiles, making a beeline to our table.
“Give me a minute,” I hurriedly say to Keith as I get up and head in Atlas’s direction. I don’t want him anywhere near Keith, and I don’t want to air our dirty laundry.
Ever since I caught him cheating and told him to go fuck himself, he’s been trying to get me back. He keeps trying to pretend I didn’t actually see what I saw, like my eyes were playing tricks on me. After his gaslighting didn’t work, he went with the ‘ I didn’t know we were exclusive ’ defense. Which is also bullshit because he asked me, through text, if we could date seriously. When I forwarded said text to him, he tried to pretend he was drunk when he sent it. Tired of playing his games, I decided to just block him and try to move on.
Atlas does not allow me to do that half the time. When he sees me on campus, he tries to corner me, but I’m usually with Bryson or Evan, who tell him to fuck off. I don’t want Keith involved in any of this, so I’ll deal with him on my own.
Before he can get close to our table, I grab his arm roughly and lead him outside. When I turn to him, he has a smug smile that I want to wipe off his face. “Hey, babe,” he drawls, trying to put his arm around me.
“Get off,” I almost yell, slapping his arm from around my waist. “Why are you still bothering me? What is it you want?”
His smug smile dims a little, and I secretly revel in it. “I just wanted to talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. You cheated. We’re through. Why do you keep trying?”
“We were good together, babe. Why jeopardize that for a mistake?”
I give him a wide-eyed look, like he’s lost his fucking mind. “A mistake? Atlas, your dick was down someone’s throat. That’s not a mistake. You cheated on me. I won’t date a cheater. We’re over. End of discussion!”
Through the window, I see Keith standing and walking over to me. I hold up a finger and he nods, sitting back down.
Atlas looks at Keith, then does a double take. “Is that your date?”
I bristle, knowing Atlas will say something about his weight. Atlas is a gym freak, thinking the more toned he is, the healthier he is, though he drinks like a fish and smokes like a fucking chimney. “Yeah, and?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Go back to your date. I know when no means no. But if that doesn’t work out, you know where to find me.” He traces a finger down my arm and I smack it away, turning away from him in a huff.
Keith stands when I get back to the table and wraps his arms around me. “You okay?” he asks, voice full of concern.
I nod, but don’t really feel okay. Atlas is a fucking parasite and always puts me in a foul mood when we talk.
“Can we go?” I look up at him, hoping he’s ready too. We were having a great time, and Atlas had to fuck it up.
Keith kisses me gently on the lips, then my forehead. Without another word, he pulls out his wallet, puts some bills on the table and hustles me out. When we get inside the car, I wipe angry tears from my eyes. I’m not crying because of anything Atlas said, but for me, for being such an idiot in the first place.
“You okay?” Keith asks again as he drives us back to the apartments.
“Fine. Just …” I huff again. “I was an idiot when I dated him. I feel stupid. I hate feeling stupid. Don’t think I’m crying because I miss that creep or something. It’s because he made a fool of me and it makes me angry.”
“When Evan and I had lunch?—”
I cut him off, grabbing his hand. “We need to talk about Evan. Tonight. We need a plan and we’ll tell him as soon as we come back. Talking to my stupid fucking ex tells me I want this to last for a long time. We’re good for each other, right?”
“Very good,” Keith says, kissing the back of my hand. “Yeah, we can figure out how to tell Evan. I just want to be with you, Derek.”
My smile is wide as I lean over and kiss his cheek. “I want to be with you, too. For as long as you’ll have me.”