“I want this. Lucas wants this. We’re goin’ to see where its goin’, no matter what anyone says. The fuckin’ first time I saw him he appealed to me like no one else had. I can’t make sense of it, but it is what it is. I won’t fuckin’ fight this anymore.”
His smile grew, then he laughed. “Congrats, brother, and good luck.”
I took a deep breath to calm myself. “Thanks.” I nodded. I removed my vest and tee, then pulled out a warmer shirt.
“Whoa, brother, I know you’re into guys now, but I ain’t there.”
Snorting, I told him, “Fuck off. Gotta head out.”
“Goin’ to see your man?” Death teased.
He was being a dick, but I wouldn’t say no to Lucas being mine. “He’s got a study date with a few people.”
“One of them that guy he went out with?”
“Yes,” I hissed.
Death chuckled. “Want any help?”
“It’ll be fine.”
“Can I just come for entertainment purposes?”
Fuck it. “Sure.”
“I’ll go grab a jacket and meet you out front.”
“Death?”
“Yeah, brother?”
“Thanks for acceptin’ this, for havin’ my back.”
“Always, brother. Can’t help who you like. Hell, I can see the appeal. Lucas is damn good-lookin’.” His hands shot up when I scowled at him. “But, brother, he ain’t my type.”
I paused from pulling on my vest. “You got a type? Are you into guys?”
Death shook his head. “Nah, brother, but I’m one who can admit there are men out there that are damn good-lookin’. Not as good as me, of course.”
I scoffed. “You sure your head will fit out the fuckin’ door?”
He opened it, stepped out, and grinned like a fucking fool. “Well, see that.” He winked. “See you out front.”
“Got it.” Only then I realized that Lucas didn’t know that Death knew. I wasn’t sure how Lucas would take it. All I could imagine was him bumbling over his words while blushing and maybe growling in the back of his throat when he got frustrated. Smiling to myself, I knew no matter, I couldn’t wait to see him.
Looked like what I’d told him would be out the window soon. I’d told him I wanted to keep it between us while we got to know one another, yet Death knew, soon West would, and fuckface. At least with Death there, we’d be able to scare the others shitless to keep their mouths shut before Saint got between us with his threats. I wanted us to be stronger before that happened because I didn’t want to worry that Lucas would listen to his brother.
Chapter Fourteen
Lucas
“Why do you keep looking over at the door?” West asked while we waited for the rest of the group.
Because my, ah, boyfriend was going to show and probably make Gregory pee himself. I wanted to speak with Gregory as soon as he showed before Wade arrived. I just prayed Gregory would get there first.
“Um, no reason. Just waiting on the others,” I told West. A hand stopped me bouncing my pen up and down on the table. I looked down and then up to West.
“You’re nervous. Why? Is it because of Gregory? I thought the date went well. Unless… are you excited to see him?”
I laughed nervously. “I wouldn’t say excited. I think I might throw up.”
“Did he do something?”
“No! He was fine. It’s all fine, and we will be fine.”
“That’s a lot of fine. Lucas, you’re scaring me. What’s going on? And why are you wearing a turtleneck in here? It doesn’t get that cold.”
Right, why was I wearing one? Because my boyfriend—there was that giddy feeling in my stomach at that word—left his mark on my body, and I had to hide it. Which made me all types of buttery on the inside because he felt he had to leave me marked.
“I just thought, since it’s cold outside, it might be in here.”
West looked at me like I was an alien. “How many times have you been here in the winter and it’s not freezing enough for a turtleneck?”
“Well—”
“Hey, sorry I’m late. Lani can’t make it either,” Gregory announced, and I yelped at the sudden new voice to the table. Then when he dipped down as if to kiss me, I pulled back so fast my chair tipped, and I fell on the floor.
“Ow,” I moaned.
“Shit, are you okay?” Gregory asked.
West was too busy laughing to get up and help me. Gregory held his hand out toward me, but I didn’t take it. I got to my feet slowly, knowing I probably resembled a lobster.
“Sorry about that,” I offered Gregory.
“Have I done something?” he asked, reaching out to take my hand. I went to pull it back, but I felt terribly guilty for my actions already. It wasn’t Gregory’s fault. I was the one being an ass and dating Wade instead of him. Especially when I’d kissed Gregory a week ago, and we’d shared a small peck on campus about four days ago. He’d even had his arm around my seat in class like we had been dating.
My stomach twisted in an ugly way for the way I was.
“No, it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry,” I said, taking his hand. I glanced at West. “Can you give us a moment, please?”
He was busy holding his belly from the laughing he was still doing. He nodded, got up, and walked off into an aisle.
Gregory and I sat. Gregory took my hand again, and I glanced at the doors. I didn’t know what time Wade would show, but what I did know was that Wade would definitely show.
“Um, look, I, ah, there’s no easy way saying this, but I think I’ve led you to believe we’re something more than what I saw it as, and I’m so sorry about it. I didn’t mean to. I would hate to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
Oh, dear God, he looked like he was about to cry.
“Lucas,” West