Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“What?” I prodded with a roguish grin. “Play Twister?”
“Yes. But naked Twister…or partially naked Twister, if you’re saving yourself for another guy,” he blurted.
I was too stunned to reply immediately. I’d had an idea where he was heading, but the second he said the words aloud, he was in the driver’s seat and I was the one with my mouth wide open, wondering what the protocol was for an unexpected booty call invitation.
After what felt like twenty minutes, I gulped and set his crown back on his head. “Well played, fairy,” I mumbled.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.” I raked my fingers through my hair and let out a half chuckle. “This is an interesting twist. How’d we go from a burrito to a booty call?”
Phoenix bit his bottom lip. “Am I making you uncomfortable? If so, just tell me to fuck off. I’m a big boy. I can take it.”
“No, I’m surprised, but in a…surprised way. No one’s ever asked me to be their fuck buddy before,” I admitted, scratching my temple.
“That’s not the term I’d use. It sounds nasty.”
“Oh, and the UPS fantasy isn’t?”
“We can change the fantasy, you know,” Phoenix replied. “How do you feel about cowboys? Or gigolos?”
“So you want me to be your gigolo,” I teased.
“Yes, exactly. But I couldn’t pay you. I’m a broke college student.” Phoenix unfastened his seat belt and opened the car door before lowering his voice to a sultry tone. “Think about it. You have my number.”
“Hey, where are you going?”
He frowned as he glanced over his shoulder like he just realized where we were. “Oh. Fuck. So much for my grand exit. I’ll call for a ride. Later, Max.”
I grabbed his hand before he got anywhere. “I’m buying you something to eat, remember? We’ll go through the drive-thru, then I’ll take you home.”
Phoenix sighed heavily as he closed the door. “Can I get a vodka cranberry to go too?”
I chuckled. “Nope. Buckle up, gigolo.”
The line moved faster than I expected, which was probably a good thing, because I didn’t have time to think about his proposal. He didn’t seem drunk or out of sorts, but I couldn’t tell if he was serious.
“Where do you live?” I asked before pulling aside to hand him his fries. When the car behind me honked, I parked in an open space and reached into the to-go bag for the ketchup.
“On Katella.”
“By the ballpark?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s near the amphitheater, though…about five minutes from here.”
“That’s literally across the freeway from the ballpark.”
“If you say so. These fries aren’t bad.”
“They’re warm and salty. That makes a difference,” I said conversationally before shifting to face him.
“True. My favorite ones are—”
“Hold that thought. Let’s get back to your proposal.”
Phoenix shook his head. “Let’s not. I’m embarrassed.”
“Don’t be,” I said softly. “I think we both want the same thing. I just wasn’t brave enough to say it. I want to see you again.”
“Define ‘see me,’ ” he said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
“It means I’m interested in your indecent proposal.”
He opened his mouth in a comical “O” and gulped. “Wow. I mean, yes. That’s great. Like now? Or later is good. But now is perfect. We should just get the mystery out of the way. Come home with me and—”
“You might want to think about it. I’m not out, Phoenix. And I have no plans to come out before I graduate. That’s got to be a huge red flag for you.”
“It would be if I wanted a boyfriend. But I don’t.”
“Okay, good. Being lovers might make it hard to be friends.”
“Get real, Max. We’re never going to be friends. If we walk away now, we’ll never cross paths again. We have no reason to…unless we make one up.”
“And our reason would be ‘no strings fuck buddies’?”
“I hate that term,” Phoenix huffed and leaned his elbow on the armrest.
“How about ‘booty call buddies’? BCB for short.”
“Hmm. That has potential.”
“While you’re mulling that over, I have a question. A legit one.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Why me?”
Phoenix paused for a long moment before replying in a thoughtful tone. “Because you seem…real to me. I’ve met a lot of fake people lately. I’m an actor, so I guess it comes with the territory, but I can’t help thinking that it would be really nice to have an honest connection. Not a forever one. Just an honest one, you know?”
“Yeah. I do.”
“And I like you, Max. You’re a nice guy, but you’re not too nice.”
“You think I’m mean?”
“No. I think you’re one of those privileged jocks who’s used to getting his own way. You like to have your cake and eat it too.”
“Hey!”
“That’s why this could be perfect. I’m not going to fawn all over you, and I’ll never go to any of your games…unless you beg me to. It would be a strictly physical agreement. Better than pretending we want to be friends over a cup of coffee. At least it’s more honest. I know just enough about you to know I can trust you. And you can trust me.” He set his hand on my chin and leaned in closer to kiss my cheek. “Think about it.”