Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Breck grinned a little and nodded. “You bet.”
Tad regarded him.
But then their waitress returned with their drinks.
Averting his gaze, Breck freed his straw and took a swig of his Coke.
“So, where’s Ned?” Tad asked blatantly. He wanted to know why Breck was here and clearly was moving things along.
“Uh…” Breck fiddled with his napkin coaster. “I dunno. Off causing mayhem and madness somewhere, I’m sure.”
Tad’s lips twitched. “Yeah, you’re probably right. He certainly was in rare form when we went to Georgetown.”
Breck grunted. “Yeah, but he’s always in rare form. Can’t take that crazy kid anywhere, swear to God.”
Tad laughed. “The ladies don’t seem to mind him.”
“The ladies never do,” Breck deadpanned with a smirk.
Tad grinned. “His ‘the world is my oyster’ mentality definitely draws in the flocks.”
Breck smiled and nodded again. Ned the optimist. Every glass of water always half full. As he bounded his way through life pursuing his greatest excitement. Something he’d told Breck to do last Sunday as they’d played racquetball at the fitness center. Advice that Breck had decided to take. Which dropped him into one of the most incredible experiences of his entire life.
And hence one of the reasons he was here with Tad now.
Tad eyed him, took a drink of his lemonade, then finally gestured with a lift of his chin. “So, you gonna spit it out or what? My lunch break’s not getting any younger.” His lips quirked, his warm gaze knowing.
Breck shifted in his seat. They’d been friends since high school. Tad knew all his signs and was calling him out. No point in beating around the bush. He just had to figure out how not to reveal too much.
And, naturally, when he needed ideas, none were coming to mind.
“It’s nothing.” He shrugged half-heartedly. “I mean, I dunno. Guess I just wanted to mix shit up. Sometimes even I get tired of Ned’s pretty-boy face.”
Tad grinned, well aware that he was kidding.
Breck flashed a smile then got back to fiddling with his coaster. “And… you know… ever since you told us about you and Scott, and all of the times we’ve all hung out together since… Your situation just kinda… I dunno… makes me curious. You know… with how it works and all. And no, I don’t mean how it works in that way.” He smirked. “I know the mechanics, just… not the other stuff.”
Tad nodded, a slight pink tinging his cheeks. “Yeah, I remember you asking questions. Normal, reasonable ones. While Jay and Ned focused so enthusiastically on all things awkward and inappropriate.” A grin tugged at his lips as he shook his head.
Breck laughed. “Yeah, but you knew that was coming.”
Tad chuckled, conceding. “I did.” Then he looked at Breck, really looked at him. “But not you. You were chill.”
Breck fiddled with his coaster.
Tad canted his head. “So, what kind of stuff are you curious about, exactly?”
And wasn’t that the million-dollar question.
Because in truth, Breck wasn’t even sure. All he knew was that he needed someone to talk to. A friend that understood and could hopefully relate. Thing was, he wasn’t quite ready to spill the beans. To tell Tad, or anyone for that matter, what was going on.
“I dunno.” He shrugged again. “I mean, your new lifestyle. It just… I dunno… It just seems so different.” He looked at Tad. “Like, for example, what’s it like to publicly date a guy?”
Tad thought about that for a minute. “Not too different from dating a girl.”
Breck eyed him incredulously.
Tad laughed. “Okay, so some things are a little different. Like the looks. You just gotta get used to them. Train your mind to not give a fuck. And then, of course, there’s that thing,” he drawled, “about not provoking homophobic thugs.”
Breck’s jaw clenched at the sober reminder. When Tad had gotten jumped by three pricks in a parking lot. Just the mention of it got his blood boiling. He balled his fists, unable to even imagine what it’d done to Scott.
Clearing his throat, Breck muttered gruffly, “Yeah. Word to the wise.” But then he plastered on a smile and tried to peddle shit back. “If I recall, your ass looked pretty happy in Georgetown. Definitely hadn’t been caring about what people thought that night.”
Tad laughed and took another drink. “You mean my ass looked pretty wasted. Despite Scott’s valiant efforts, I still drank way too much.”
Breck smiled at that as the waitress returned with their food. “He cares about you. A lot. The way he looked out for you… It was really cool.”
Affection softened Tad’s eyes. “Yeah, he’s amazing.” He exhaled and shook his head. “I’m so fucking lucky.”
“Scott is, too,” Breck pointed out.
Tad smiled. “I certainly amuse him.”
Breck lifted a brow.
Tad grinned and poured some ketchup on his plate. “We play off each other well, and… yeah, I’ll just leave it at that.”