Tears prick my eyes and I force a smile. “Good night, Drake.”
“Good night, Isabel.”
Upstairs, I crawl into bed next to Hunter, but I fall asleep with my back to him, something I almost never do, but right now, I’m mad at him. He did this to us, played with our hearts like they were his toys, and now he’s tearing us all apart. And if he’s not careful, he’s going to ruin more than just his friendship.
Rule #29: Love makes you an idiot.
Drake
I’m on a date. A certified date. My first, if we’re being honest. I mean, I’ve met up with other people before, but it was always with the intention to fuck. This evening, I’m sitting at a restaurant with Geo, the bartender, with the intention to actually get to know him.
It’s excruciating.
Not Geo—he’s great. He’s funny, down-to-earth, and likes to compliment me a lot. I could see us hanging out, getting drunk, watching a movie, waking up next to each other. I mean…the possibility is there, but the excitement? Not quite.
“So…you promised to share some stories from your trip. I want to hear all about those other clubs,” he says with a flirtatious smile as he sips on his margarita.
“Eh…” I scratch the back of my neck. “I don’t really want to talk about my trip, if that’s okay.”
He looks immediately apologetic. “Of course, that’s okay. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s complicated, that’s all.”
“Because of Hunter…or because of Isabel?”
“Uhh…”
“I’m sorry. God, that was nosey of me,” he replies with a laugh. “Please ignore me. I always put my foot in my mouth when I drink.”
This time, I laugh, and it helps to ease some of the tension. “It’s fine, really. But to answer your question simply…yes.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah…”
“Well,” he says, lifting his glass toward me. I pick up my drink and tap it against his. “To rebounds and fresh starts.”
I laugh again as I carry the glass to my lips. He studies me for a minute as he picks at his dinner. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Of course,” I reply. That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?
“Have you ever dated a man before?”
“Um…Geo…I’ve never dated a person before.”
“Damn,” he replies with a chuckle. He really does have a cute smile, but I’m not feeling that intense chemistry I’m craving. Is this normal for dating? I mean…if we’re compatible and we get along, the physical chemistry will come. Won’t it?
I mean, I can imagine myself with him, his lips wrapped around my cock or his knees pressed to his chest while I bury myself inside him. But that’s all my brain can imagine. It always goes back to sex. The attraction to Geo is there…but the desire to call him and see him after that? Not so much.
“Yeah, I just never saw myself as being boyfriend material. And I always had my best friend to do things with on holidays or birthdays or vacations, so I never really needed anyone else.”
He nods, and I start to feel like I’m talking about Hunter too much. “But if you’re wondering if I could see myself settling down with a man…” I shrug. “Yeah. I don’t see why not.”
“You wouldn’t miss pussy?”
I nearly choke on my beer at his bluntness. As I wipe my face, I consider it. Would I?
“Umm…”
After a few minutes of contemplation, he smiles. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“If it’s any consolation, I think I would miss dick just as much if I settled down with a woman.”
“Was that supposed to make me feel better?” he asks with a laugh, and now we’re both chuckling so hard, our faces are red.
“Sorry. This is awkward,” I say when our laughter dies down.
“Nah, you’re doing great.”
“Does this mean I get a second date?” I ask with a hopeful expression.
He drums his fingers against his glass as he thinks about it. “I don’t know if it’s a second date you need, Drake.”
My shoulders deflate as he shuts me down. Fuck. I’m starting to accept my fate of getting old and dying alone when he reaches across the table and touches my hand. When his eyes lift up to my face, there’s something sultry and inviting in his expression. And for the first time, I feel that spark of chemistry I so badly wanted. Suddenly, I’m thinking about taking him home and bending him over the back of his couch, so I can fuck him until he screams.