Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87015 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“Hmm?”
“The twink you’re staring at who keeps looking at you when you’re not watching.”
I knew it!
“He does?” I turned to look before sobering. “Of course he does.”
Vaughn dropped his head back and laughed. “You’re not smooth. You were shocked he’s paying attention to you, and you like it. Wait—is that your baker?”
The fact that Vaughn called him that with so little backstory said something. I’d told him about Parker at some point. How I flirted with him and how he liked to bust my balls, which he hadn’t done that first night, thank you very much. “He’s not my baker, and I don’t want him to be, but yeah, that’s him.”
“Holy shit. Your baker is in Vegas at the same bar as you? That’s fucking nuts.”
I didn’t call him out for calling Parker mine again.
“Go talk to him,” Vaughn said. “I’m good on my own. I might go home with these two guys.”
“I already tried. He said he hated me.” Vaughn laughed again. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a shitty friend?”
“I can’t help it. You’re totally feelin’ this guy, and he won’t give you the time of day. That never happens. Who are the men with him?”
“His friends.”
“Holy shit, is that—”
“Yes, he’s friends with Sebastian Cole.” Sebastian Cole was a famous movie star. I wasn’t much of a movie person, and I didn’t pay attention to celebrity news, but I did recognize him. I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t jealous the first and only other time I’d seen them together. Watching them tonight, though, it was clear he was dating Parker’s friend.
Vaughn’s mouth dropped open. “What the fuck, El! You didn’t tell me your baker is one of The Vers guys!”
“The what? There are a lot of vers guys in the queer community. And how would you even know that?”
He rolled his eyes. “For someone so social, it amazes me that you never know what’s going on. The Vers is a queer podcast. You’ve never listened to it?” I shook my head. “I’m not a faithful listener, but I’ve heard it. They talk about everything. Hell, half the time all they do is argue. It’s addictive as shit. It was a huge thing when people found out Sebastian and Declan are dating. Declan’s the loner and—”
“Wait. The loner? What are you talking about?”
“Try and keep up, would you? They each have a personality on the show. Declan is The Loner, and then suddenly he’s dating Sebastian Cole and there’s all this fucking drama, people thinking Sebastian was cheating on his ex with Declan and so on. They sorted it out on their show, and it all seems to have died down—how did you not know this?”
“Because I don’t care how other people live their lives?” Well, except Parker. I cared about him in a want-to-get-to-know-you way. “So they each have a nickname-slash-personality?”
“Yeah. Declan is The Loner and God, he has great hair. Then the tall guy with dark skin, that’s Marcus. He’s The Realist. He’s hot as fuck and clearly very toppy. The really pretty one who is fairer is Corbin. He’s The Charmer, and he has a popular Instagram page, but you probably wouldn’t know about that either.”
“And Parker?” I asked, because how could I not?
Vaughn frowned. “He’s The Romantic, the guy who’s looking for his happily ever after but happens to have the shittiest luck when it comes to guys. His dating stories are crazy. If they’re true, I feel bad for him.”
I really, really needed to start paying more attention to things going on around me. I’d been flirting with Parker for months and had no idea he was part of a well-known podcast. More importantly, was that why he gave me shit for being a flirt and dating so much? I felt guilty for how I acted but also thought that was a little judgy. Maybe I was looking for the one too. I wasn’t, but he didn’t know that, and how did you find said guy if you didn’t date?
Still, the ball of discomfort in my chest grew. Should I apologize to him? Never see him again? Stop flirting? Hell, I didn’t know.
“You good?” Vaughn put an arm around me.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” When I glanced up, Parker was watching us. He whipped his head around so fast, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d pulled something.
“Good. So then you’re cool if I head out? I really wanna have this threesome.”
I laughed. “Go for it, man.” So much for a weekend away with my friend. “Have fun.”
He waggled his brows. “I will.”
Vaughn disappeared, and when I looked again, Parker and his friends were dancing. I watched them for a moment, saw how carefree he was with them. I’d seen glimpses of it before, but it was amazing to see it tonight.
Parker was The Romantic…on a podcast I’d never listened to. I sure as shit planned to change that tonight.