9. Gabe
9 /
gabe
The caterers had taken over the kitchen, bustling through cleanup like a well-oiled machine. Avoiding the chaos, I slipped out the side door into the cool night air, still feeling weightless. My lips tingled from Brody’s kisses, a reminder of what we’d shared just moments earlier. I couldn’t stop smiling, though I was caught between the thrill of the connection and the uncertainty of what it might mean. Maybe it was only a hookup with the possibility of another, but for the first time, I let myself hope there could be more. That hope was fragile and barely formed, but it was there.
The sex was hot as blazes, but I’d learned the hard way that sex was one thing, and caring was another. After incredible orgasms, we’d shared the moments afterward. We’d definitely enjoyed more than the usual post-hookup thanks and see ya later , and I’d had enough of that to know the difference. Did our connection guarantee anything? Hell no. But it could lead to more, and considering all the disappointments I’d had, the possibility of could was everything. Instinctually, I knew Brody was worth waiting for, and whatever his reasons for holding back from me had been, tonight had been a breakthrough.
Laughter and murmuring voices drifted toward me as I entered the backyard. Groups of people were still scattered around, their faces lit by strings of glowing bulbs and the soft aura of strategically placed party lights. Several guys were standing around the fire pit on the far side of the yard, and when I noticed Holky laughing with Packy and Jax, I adjusted my shirt and headed their way. Hopefully, I’d be able to keep things casual even with all the emotions churning inside.
Holky finished his story as I joined them, and after more laughter, Packy and Jax wandered off looking for extra dessert. As soon as they were out of earshot, Holky turned his attention to me, a bemused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. After giving me a slow once-over, he raised an eyebrow. “Where have you been?”
My heart stuttered. There was no way Holky could know what Brody and I had been up to, but the glint in his eye told me he’d noticed something. Suspicions weren’t proof, though, so bluffing was a good play. “What anybody does when they’re hosting a party. Taking care of things.”
He nodded slowly. “Taking care of things , or taking care of Brody ?”
“The fuck?” My stomach tightened, but I met his gaze head-on. “Why would you?—”
“I saw you two sneaking into the house.” Holky looked around the yard dramatically. “Huh. He isn’t back yet. Taking a long shower?”
“You’re full of shit.” My voice was even, but the heat blazing across my face must have betrayed me.
Holky snorted. “Gotta say though, you look very well-fucked.”
I glared at the fire as my urge to respond battled with my loyalty to Brody. Nate loved to stir the pot, but he wasn’t the kind to spread rumors. Still, this wasn’t only about me. Brody was part of the team, and his personal life wasn’t mine to share; if anyone was going to talk about it, it had to be him.
“You’ve got it bad, don’t you?” Holky’s voice was softer, the one belonging to the kind man he didn’t want anyone to know.
I shook my head, trying to dismiss him, but his knowing look didn’t waver.
“Come on, Chief. I’ve been watching you two all night. You’ve barely taken your eyes off him, and he’s been looking at you like you’re a superhero.”
I shook my head. “He’s a nice guy. I want him to feel welcome.”
“Mm-hmm. Whether you’ve done anything else or not, have you asked him out yet?”
“Not really.” Fuck, now I’d given some of it away. “I’ve been trying to feel things out.”
“Not really?” He tilted his head like I’d said I didn’t know how to skate. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Let it go, Nate.”
He leaned close, wearing a smile. “There’s no shame in being into someone. We’ve known each other for a few years now, and I’ve never seen you like this. It’s about time you got serious.”
“The fuck? Brody and I have barely had a conversation. We haven’t gone out, and we don’t know each other.” The reality of my own words hit. Despite what happened inside, was there a real possibility of something more with Brody? He had big things on his mind, and whatever they were, he may not be ready for anything beyond occasional sex.
“So, ask him for a date.”
“I will.” And I will, right? I just don’t know when.
“Why not ask him tonight?”
“I’m scared, Nate.” The confession slipped out before I could stop it, and Nate’s smile disappeared. “I’m not sure what he really wants, or if he wants anything at all. He’s in a weird place, I think.”
“Why are you scared? He obviously likes you. And I’m not sure we’re ever certain about what someone else wants.”
“It isn’t that simple.” My mind raced as I tried to decide how to put my feelings into words. “If he has a lot going on, who knows what he’s ready for. I don’t want to mess this up before it even gets started.”
Nate looked at me like I was a newly discovered species. “How will you know if you don’t ask? He’s a grown man, and I’m sure he’s perfectly capable of saying no if he doesn’t want to date you.”
“I…” Frustration welled up inside me, and I stared into the fire again. There was no wonder Nate was looking at me like that because I’d never gotten so tied up about asking someone for a date. I wanted to go out with Brody, and from all indications, he wanted to get to know me.
Before I could translate those thoughts into words, an all-too-familiar mischief broke out in Nate’s eyes. “Okay, Chief. You’re overthinking the hell out of this, so let’s make it interesting.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” My gut told me to shut him down, but once again, I took too long looking for words.
“A bet. I think you’re afraid to ask Tanner out.”
“I am hesitant, not afraid. There’s a difference. What if I ask, and he says no?”
Nate cocked an eyebrow. “But he won’t say no. I’m sure of it.”
“Look Holky, there are things you don’t know.”
“There’s a shit-ton of stuff I don’t know, but I’m pretty certain about this. Let me spell it out. If you ask him for a date and he says no, I’ll buy all your drinks on road trips until the end of the year.” He held up a finger. “ But… if you ask him and he says yes, then you’ll buy my drinks.”
“That’s a strange bet.” I blinked at him. “To be sure I understand, if I ask Brody out and he says yes, I’ll be paying for your drinks?”
“Right. And if he says no, I’ll be paying for yours.”
I scratched my head and thought it through. What was the harm? Brody wouldn’t have trouble saying no if he wanted to keep things casual. And the bet wouldn’t really change anything because I’d wanted to ask Brody out before Nate brought it up. I also had to admit there was something about the challenge that hooked me. Did Nate, the perpetual smartass, truly think I needed his help to ask a guy out? Fuck that. I crossed my arms and looked at Nate. “Fine, you’re on.”
He laughed and clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll be glad you did this, Chief. Right now, I’m grabbing another beer, so why don’t you go find Tanner?”