Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
TATE
“Ugh. I’m bored,” I whine to Daija as we lie sprawled out on the oversized couches in our living room, staring listlessly at the ceiling and desperately trying to avoid going back out in the heat after we spent all morning at the beach.
“I miss Toby . . . and Shane, too, I guess.” An exaggerated sigh rolls out of me as I rest the back of my hand against my forehead.
It’s only been a week since they left for New York, but they took all the fun with them, so now I’m just moping.
Good grief. I really need to get laid.
“Same, babe,” Daija agrees, and for a second, I think she’s agreeing with the getting laid part. “I’m so proud of our baby boy for scoring an internship, but I’m definitely feeling that empty nest.”
I hum my agreement, sharing the same sentiment. “I kinda miss their idiot roommates, too,” I add as an afterthought. We haven’t seen Spencer or Jake since Toby and Shane left.
Kind brown eyes, dark hair, and a sexy grin flash through my mind.
“We could invite them over?” Daija suggests out of the blue. “Just because Toby and Shane aren’t here this summer doesn't mean we can’t hang out with Jake and Spencer.”
“Are you sure you wanna open that can of worms with Jake, honey? That boy is like a dog with a bone. He’ll never let you go,” I warn, glancing over at her.
Daija just laughs, and dare I say, blushes.
She’s bare-faced and beautiful, lounging in an oversized T-shirt that’s tucked into her sports bra and tiny black gym shorts.
Her box braids are down, with a few golden charms added in.
Jake would bend the knee and kiss her feet if he were here right now.
Daija is effortlessly stunning, and I’m not sure his goofy ass deserves her.
“Girl . . .”
She shrugs non-committedly. “Listen. He’s growing on me, okay? Besides, you know you wanna see Spencer. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you two look at each other. And it’s not just you drooling over him, babe. He’s definitely intrigued by you, whether he’s ready to admit that or not.”
Daija’s words make my heart race and my stomach flutter, but I ignore the giddy feelings twisting me up inside and downplay our connection.
“It’s just a little harmless flirting with the hot, polite, and emotionally intelligent straight boy.
Nothing to worry about,” I insist, even though I’m pretty sure Spencer is bi, or at least bi-curious, and I love helping someone through their awakening.
I’ve never hung out with Spencer one-on-one, but I can’t deny there’s chemistry between us.
“Okay, so text him and invite them over tonight!” Daija says excitedly as she sits up on the couch. “Wait! Let’s have a party, so it doesn’t seem like we’re trying to set up a double date. Oooh! It can be a summer kick-off party!”
That actually sounds like the perfect excuse to see Spencer again.
“Hmm. That does sound like a lot of fun,” I muse.
“I know.” She smirks. “Now text him. ’Cause I’m not texting Jake.”
“Fine. I’ll do it,” I agree with a sigh, unable to deny her enthusiasm, even though I know it’s risky with how my body is reacting to the mere thought of Spencer Hayes. I’ve never even texted him outside of the group chat. Taking a deep breath, I type out a quick invitation and hit send.
Hey, it’s Tate. Party at our place tonight! Starts at nine, but you’re welcome sooner.
Three little dots appear, and the butterflies start to swarm immediately.
Hey you. Thanks for the invite. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. How early do you want me?
I squeal and kick my feet, forgetting that Daija is right across from me on the other couch.
“What? What is it?!” she asks urgently.
Sitting up quickly, I read her the text out loud, unable to stop the giant grin on my face. “I’m going to say eight. Do you want Jake over, too?”
“Hmmm. Are you gonna abandon me?”
I gasp with a hand over my heart. “I would never. Be for real, girl. They can help us set up for the party, and we’ll just chat. See how everyone’s vibing,” I reassure her.
“Okay then,” she agrees, and I quickly text Spencer back.
Eight. Daija says bring Jake.
We’ll be there.
“Done,” I announce, setting my phone back down. “They’re coming at eight.”
I’m not sure why my traitorous heart is beating so damn fast.
God, I’m too horny for my own good.
“We have so much to do!” Daija exclaims, jumping up from the couch to grab her phone. “I’ll send the invites!”
“I’ll make a quick trip to the party supply store,” I tell her.
“Get anything summery or flowery like a luau. I’m going to vacuum and place a grocery order before getting in the shower.”
“Sounds like a plan, sweets,” I tell her, hopping up from the couch and slipping on my flip flops. I guess I’m going back out in the heat after all.
I spent way too much money at the party store, but this is a special occasion, so I don’t really care. We never have our own parties, and now we just plan them for other people. We deserve this.
“Honey, I’m home!” I holler, clunkily making my way inside the apartment with my arms full of shopping bags. The whole place smells like Daija’s famous chocolate chip cookies, and I moan at the warm, inviting aroma. “It smells amazing, babe!”
I turn the corner, bringing my haul into the kitchen, where my best friend is taking a tray of cookies out of the oven, wearing an adorable black miniskirt and a flowy pink crop top.
Besides the two dozen cookies on the counter, I find multiple bags of chips, trays of veggies, and a variety of dips.
Glancing at the clock, I realize it’s ten till eight, and the boys are about to be here.
“Tate, you need to get ready!” she chastises, and I huff, setting all the bags down carefully.
“Girl, I know!” I say in a rush, a little panicked over this last-minute party we decided to throw. Epic Events has a minimum of one week’s notice, and even that comes with a hefty rush fee. A same-day party is crazy work, but I’ve always loved a challenge.
“I’ll take care of unloading the bags and putting the rest of the food up. Go, go!” She shoos me away.
“What would I do without you, sweets?” I blow her a kiss and head directly to the hall bathroom, shutting the door behind me and locking it. I turn the water on and grab a clean towel from under the sink.
Like the gentleman I am, I took the secondary bedroom, giving Daija the primary with an en suite bathroom for more privacy. But it really sucks when we have people over, and everyone uses my bathroom.
Quickly tidying up the sink, I put my toothbrush and expensive cologne away before hanging a clean hand towel on the hook for guests.
I undress, testing the water temperature with my hand before I step in.
Sliding the glass door shut behind me, I close my eyes while the warm water rushes over my tense muscles.
It feels amazing, but I should probably move a little faster.
Spencer will be here any minute.