“Oh, I don’t think… Are we the same size?” Toby asked.
We weren’t, but I’d fucking hand-knit him something to wear to make this happen.
“We’ll figure it out.”
And we did. Fifteen minutes later, I was dressed in a white button-down and a pair of dark jeans, and Toby was in a polo of mine that was so tight on me, it bordered on obscene. I usually reserved it for nights when I had an itch that needed to be scratched and wanted to be noticed quickly. It fit Toby well enough, and he seemed to like it even if he was a bit uncomfortable in peach.
“Are you sure it looks okay?” he asked for at least the sixth time.
I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “It takes a certain kind of guy to pull off that color, and you, my man, are pulling it off.”
His smile was wide and happy. Fuck did I like this kid.
The girls had all disappeared into the bedroom to do whatever girls did in order to get ready for a night out. Xander continued to recline on the couch and play on his phone, seemingly unbothered by the fact that he was in sweatpants and a plain black Henley.
It thankfully wasn’t much longer before the girls joined us. Aniyah was still wearing the tight red shirt and dark-rinse jeans she’d had on when she arrived, but she’d definitely added some makeup to her eyes.
Taylor was also in jeans but had on a light-blue tank top that she was pulling a soft-looking white jacket over. Both girls looked good—great, really—but I only had eyes for Sophia, who was wearing a beige sweater-dress thing that came to mid-thigh and fell off one shoulder. She’d paired it with boots that came up to her knees.
She stopped beside me, and my tongue felt numb when I said, “You look nice.”
“Thanks,” she replied. “Figured if I was going to run for president, I needed to look the part.”
I wasn’t sure how what she wore to a club would impact her role as president, but I also sure as shit wasn’t going to complain.
“We ready?” Sophia asked everyone.
Everyone murmured assent as we followed her and Taylor out of the apartment. I locked the door behind us, and we were on our way.
The bar Aniyah had chosen was only three blocks from the apartment, so despite it being a bit chilly out, we decided walking was our best bet. Our hodgepodge of a group moved like a chatty blob down the sidewalk, causing people to walk around us as we made our way down the street.
We hadn’t gotten far from the apartment when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I fished it out and saw a text from Carter.
Hey, man. Did you know
football players who can hold
their liquor are a dying breed?
I stared at the phone in confusion for a second, unsure what the hell he was talking about. Not that I should’ve been surprised. Carter had taken to texting me random things in the couple of weeks we’d known each other. I typed a response.
I did not. I also find that surprising.
Aren’t you guys all huge?
His reply came quickly.
The bigger they are the
harder they fall, dude.
I didn’t think you guys would
drink much during the season.
Ha! Half of these guys will be in AA
by the time they’re seniors. But it’s
worse than usual tonight because
we have a bye this weekend.
Ah. Gotcha.
What are you doing?
Heading to some bar with my study
group and Sophia and her friend.
Aniyah said it was called Tonic.
I know that place. Total meat
market. I’ll meet you there!
I couldn’t help but laugh at his last text. Sophia must’ve heard me because she turned and looked at me quizzically.
“It’s Carter,” I explained. “He’s gonna meet us at the bar.”
“Cool” was all she said in reply, but her smile showed she meant it.
I texted Carter that we’d meet him inside and then put my phone back into my pocket.
We arrived at the bar soon after and paid a five-dollar cover to get in. I hadn’t thought to ask and make sure everyone in our group was twenty-one—some bartender I was—but everyone produced an ID, so I guessed we were set.
Aniyah led us to a corner of the bar where there were two open tables. I paused to take the place in. The bar was huge and set in the center of the room, with leather-upholstered chairs surrounding it. Three bartenders shared the space, filling orders, while servers floated among the tables that lined the walls. The floor was wood, and the space had a kind of rustic vibe. Definitely not what I was expecting from a place called Tonic.
“This place is nice,” I said.
“There’s a second floor that’s more like a club,” Aniyah explained when we sat down. “I figured we could eat down here before heading upstairs. Have any of you been here before?”
“I have,” Sophia answered, but everyone else stayed quiet.
I was surprised there was a club overhead. They must have excellent soundproofing.
We looked through the menus and decided to order a bunch of apps to share. The server was just returning with our drinks when Carter showed up.
“Hey, can I get a Corona?” he asked her. “Thanks.” Then he plopped down into an open chair next to Toby and almost immediately leaned over him and extended his hand toward Taylor. “Hey, how’s it going? I’m Carter.”
Taylor didn’t hesitate to grab his hand and introduce herself.
Carter relaxed into his seat and turned to Toby. “Nice to see ya, man. Love that shirt. Very suave.”
“Oh, uh, thanks. Brody lent it to me.”
Carter sat back in his seat and regarded me. “That’s what my life has been missing. A gay friend to give me fashion advice.”
I saw Taylor’s head whip toward Sophia, to which Sophia subtly shook her head. Taylor schooled her features, but I was sure there’d be a discussion happening there as soon as they were alone.
“You’re gay?” Xander asked.
“Oh, uh, yeah. Yup. Definitely.” Pretending to be gay gave me new appreciation for LGBTQ people. Coming out over and over again was exhausting.
“Huh,” he said. “Never would’ve guessed.”
Aniyah scoffed. “Why would you? What, you think all gay people look and act a certain way or something?”
“Simmer down, Cujo,” he replied dryly. “I usually have great gaydar is all.”
Aniyah opened her mouth to no doubt yell at Xander some more, but Carter cut in before she could.
“Not me. A dude could basically blow me, and I’d have no idea.”
Jesus Christ, I needed out of this conversation stat.
“How come you’re out tonight, Carter?” Sophia, bless her, asked. “Doesn’t the team usually hang together after games?”
“Nah, we have this week off,” he answered as the server dropped off his drink. He thanked her before taking a long pull.
“Oh, that’s right,” Sophia said. “I forgot.”
“You’re a wide receiver, right?” Toby asked. He hadn’t done much conversing with Carter on the few occasions they’d been in the same proximity. Maybe the shirt was giving him confidence.