Totally not the whole reason I was in there, though, and that nearly had me breaking into hives.
I…liked being close to him? Duh, he was adorable and a good friend. Reconnecting with him felt like finding my favorite childhood blanket I’d thought lost, and now it was warm and comfortable around me again.
I’d never done the share-a-room thing like this before. Sure, I’d slept in the same bed all night with someone I had sex with. I wasn’t the orgasm-and-go type of guy, but…I’d never slept with someone platonically before, or at least not on more than one occasion. I’d ended up in his bed four nights in a row, said no to hookups twice, and now, in the middle of the day, instead of focusing on the banging new design I was sewing, I was thinking about sleeping in his bed again.
My cell rang on the desk beside me. I glanced over to see Jesse’s name on the screen. “What’s up, Jesse?”
“We’re having a game night at Jake and Seth’s tonight. Seth said I should see if you wanted to go.” Seth and I got along, but we didn’t know each other well. He was very shy but sweet. He played piano in the Underground one night a week and was close with Jesse, which was how we ended up hanging out at all. We talked a little more since I’d gone to his and Jake’s house a while back, but I wasn’t surprised that he’d asked Jesse to invite me rather than doing it himself.
“Who’s going?”
“What, me, Dane, Jake, and Seth aren’t good enough for you?”
“Shut up,” I countered. He knew that wasn’t why I asked. “I just didn’t know if it was a couples’ thing and I’d be the oddball out.”
“You’re always an oddball, and it’s never bothered you before.”
I chuckled. “You fucker.”
“Whatever. Come hang out with us. You can bring your boy, if you want?”
My heart dropped to my feet. “Um…this is Sky, remember? I don’t have a boy.”
“I meant your friend, dumbass. Your roommate guy. I can’t remember his name—Superman.”
“Clark.”
“Yeah, him.”
“Then it’ll be even more awkward! Two couples and me and him, who are totally not a couple.”
Jesse sighed as if I was being unreasonable, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t at all. If he knew my mom, he’d get it. “Chill out and be there at seven. They have food.” He hung up, and I couldn’t even be annoyed because that was such a Jesse thing to do, and in a lot of ways, even a Skylar thing to do.
I started grumbling, but then I heard the front door open. My heart must have found its way back into my chest because it jumped in excitement, and I was out of my chair and heading for the living room like a puppy who was stoked their person was finally home after being gone forever.
Fuck my life, I was being weird.
“Hey, Clark Kent,” I said as he loosened his tie. Ugh. He didn’t always wear one, but it was super cute. I’d never crushed on a dude in a tie before—not that I was crushing on him.
“Hey. How was your day?”
He’d been a little quiet since going to his parents’ place the other day. I figured he must have told his mom about me, but I chose to pretend I wasn’t aware she hated my guts. “Fine, and I hope you’re not too tired because there’s a game night in like…an hour and a half at Seth and Jake’s. We’ve been summoned. Apparently, nothing is fun without us.”
His brows pulled together. “Who are Seth and Jake?”
“Oh, Seth is Jesse’s ex-roommate. He plays piano at the Underground sometimes. Jake is his boyfriend, and we’re the two single friends they feel sorry for.”
“Um…I’m so lost.”
“I know. Me too. All that matters is they really want to hang out with us, and we don’t want to let them down, so we gotta go.” When he didn’t answer right away, I added, “I mean, you don’t have to.”
“No, no, that’s fine. I’m still trying to catch up with what’s going on here, but…it would be cool. To hang out with your friends.”
“That’s my boy!” I smiled. “Let’s go shower!”
Clark froze, like legit mid-step, and I wasn’t even sure he was breathing. I laughed. “I know we had that whole naked talk the other day, but it’s not a good idea. We’re taking separate showers, silly boy.”
He snapped out of it, his cheeks turning my new favorite shade of pink. “I knew that’s what you meant.”
“Sure you did, big guy.” I patted his back.
“Shut up.”
“Make me.”
“I’m not talking to you right now.”
We went to separate bathrooms, showered, and got ready. I took a little longer than him, adding eyeliner, mascara, and a light line to my lips. When I came out, Clark looked adorkable in a pair of beige shorts and a pink polo. “Look, my lips match your shirt.” I made an exaggerated kissy-face, and he rolled his eyes but smiled. His eyes scanned me. I was wearing a crop top and a pair of tight jeans.
“Should I change?” he asked.
“What? No. You look great.” I took his hand and tugged him toward the door. Clark came easily. He locked up, and we said goodbye to Eddie downstairs.
“I can drive,” he offered, and I was game. My car was a piece of shit, and his wasn’t.
I gave him the address, and it took us about twenty minutes to get to Seth and Jake’s place. They lived in a homey neighborhood, in a two-story house that looked like there would be little kids running around the yard one day.
When we got out, Clark straightened his clothes, and I could tell he was nervous. My poor, adorable, dorky Clark. “Hey,” I said, and his eyes snapped to mine. “You look great. No one in here will care, though. They’re all super chill and totally different kinds of people.”
“Sorry. I know I get…weird.”
My heart softened. I wished I had something to put on the damn thing to harden it to him. “There’s nothing to apologize for.”
I took his hand again, hoping that would help, and Clark didn’t argue. We went to the door and knocked, Seth opening it a few seconds later. I noticed he was wearing makeup too, and he had on eye shadow as well. His eyes darted to our hands, but he didn’t say a word. He was good like that. Unfortunately, Clark pulled away, which made me feel slightly off-balance.
“Seth, this is my friend Clark—Clark, Seth.”
“Hi! It’s great to meet you.” Seth held out his hand for Clark, they shook, and then Seth led us into their home.
Jesse and Dane were already there, talking to Jake, who introduced himself first. “Hey, man. How’s it going? I’m Jake.”
“Nice to meet you,” Clark replied.
“Hi! Good to see you again.” Jesse reached out and hugged him. Clark tensed up a little, as if he hadn’t expected it, but then returned the embrace.
“He’s touchy-feely,” Dane said.
“It’s fine,” Clark replied.
They had a long table set against the wall, with all sorts of finger foods on it—wings, sliders, veggie tray, fruit tray, chips, and dips. The dining-room table was stacked with cards and board games.