Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I told my father I was done. I’ll be starting a master’s program in education in a few weeks.”
“No shit? Damn, man, that’s what I like to hear. ‘Bout fucking time you told your old man where to stick it with that stuffy-assed job.” Turko whacked me on the back, a huge grin stretching his mouth. “Good for you, brother.”
Unfortunately, Corvin didn’t react with the same enthusiasm. His frown deepened. “Education?” He shook his head. “I had no idea you were interested in that. I thought the plan was to take over your father’s company.”
Giving my shoulder a shake, Turko seemed unaware of the awkward tension brewing between Corvin and me. “Man, this guy is amazing with kids. You should see the way they worship him at the youth center downtown. You still volunteering there?”
I nodded.
“Nice! Wait a second…” Turko shook me again. “Didn’t I always say you’d make the best teacher? Holy shit, am I the one who gave you the idea to go into education?”
I chuckled as I shook my head. “I shouldn’t tell you this because your head is big enough as it is, but yes, man. You are the one who planted the seed.”
“Woo-hoo!” Turko did a dance not unlike his on-ice goal-scoring dance. “Proud of you, man. Proud of me.”
I laughed again, slugging him in his rock-hard shoulder. “Of course, you’d find a way to make this about you. You’re an idiot.”
A throat cleared. Corvin, right. We stopped goofing around and faced my friend, whom I’d have to have a serious sit-down with soon. I’d made it clear to him months ago that Alex was the man I wanted and could only offer Corvin friendship. At the time, he’d said that was what he wanted from me, too, though I hadn’t fully believed it.
Neither had Alex.
With the wounded-puppy look he now wore, I wondered if he’d been flat-out lying that day. He was a good friend, and I’d hate to have to end that, but I couldn’t continue hanging out with him if he was always hoping I’d show up and announce a breakup with Alex.
Never happening. Not if I had my way.
“Hey, man, if you’re not doing anything, why don’t you come with us?” Turko stepped toward Corvin with his beefy hand extended. “I’m Turko, by the way. Went to undergrad with this one.” He thumbed over his shoulder in my direction.
“Nice to meet you, Turko. My name’s Corvin. We knew each other at college as well. I think I’ve see you around sometimes. Where are you guys going?” Corvin asked as he shook Turko’s much larger hand.
Dammit, Turko. The last thing I wanted was to show up at Top Shelf with Corvin in tow, but I couldn’t tell him no without being a total ass. “We’re going to Top Shelf. Alex is working tonight, and I wanted to surprise him.”
“Top Shelf?” His flawless nose wrinkled.
“Yeah, man, you ever been?” Turk’s gaze flicked between Corvin and me. He frowned as though finally clueing into some tension.
“I haven’t. I thought about checking it out while Ryder worked there, but it never happened.”
“It’s banging, man. Come on with us. Have some drinks, blow off some steam.” He winked. “Maybe find someone to take home to defile… or to defile you, whatever your poison.”
I barely resisted rolling my eyes as Corvin turned pink. Fucking Turk didn’t know the meaning of the word boundaries.
“Uh, yeah, I’ll join, though I’m not really dressed for clubbing.”
Turk strode forward and threw an arm across Corvin’s shoulders. “Please, you’re gorgeous. No one will give a shit what you’re wearing. We’ll have a blast.” He guided Corvin to the back seat of the car, where the driver held the door, then climbed in after him, leaving me in the passenger seat.
Maybe Turko could read the room better than I thought. At least I wouldn’t have to sit directly next to Corvin, separated only by awkwardness and guilt.
“Hope you don’t get nauseated easily, Corvin,” Turk said as I slid into the passenger seat.
“Oh, no, I don’t. Why do you say that?” Corvin’s confusion came through in his voice over my left shoulder.
“Because my man, Ryder, and his boyfriend are about as sickeningly in love as two people can get. Spending too much time in their sappy presence can really make a commitment phobe like me hurl.”
For fuck’s sake.
“L-love?” Corvin’s hoarse whisper sounded as though he’d been punched in the gut.
“That’s right.” Turko gripped my shoulder over the seat, giving it a squeeze. “Apparently, they started throwing the ‘L’ word around recently, so be prepared for some peak vomit-inducing sweetness when they see each other tonight.”
“We’re not that bad,” I muttered, flipping Turk off over my shoulder, which only made the idiot laugh out loud.
“Wow,” Corvin said, voice wavering. “I didn’t realize it was that serious.”