Out on the Serve (Out in College 7)

“Smart.”

“Well…what’d she say?”

“Nothing much. I asked a few pre-meeting questions. No offense, but I didn’t want to live with a big partier who had orgies at the apartment every weekend. Sophie said that wasn’t your style and that…”

“What?” I prodded.

“She said you were hung up on your ex.”

“I’m not,” I replied firmly. I held his gaze for a moment, then quirked my brow. “How do you feel about orgies every other weekend?”

“No orgies.” Braden chuckled and inclined his head subtly. “He’s steaming over there, wondering what’s going on between us. How do you want to play it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Want me to put my arm around you?”

I snickered. “Gee, you’d do that for me?”

“Of course. I told you, I’m an actor.”

“You told me you’re a bad actor,” I corrected.

Braden snorted. “But I have potential. And if I get this part, I’ll need to brush up on my skills.”

I shifted on the booth to face him. “Sure. How far into character are you willing to get?”

“What did you have in mind?”

I tapped my chin thoughtfully. “Well, you could put your arm around me and gaze lovingly into my eyes or…you could put your tongue down my throat. Either option should test your skills. Your call.”

Braden busted up laughing. “Go big or go home, eh?”

“That’s what my mama always says,” I singsonged.

“All right.”

“Dude, I was kidding.”

“I wasn’t, and he’s looking this way again. Scoot closer.” He waited for me to obey, then slung his arm over the back of the booth and rested it on my shoulder.

“Now what?” My voice cracked, but Braden didn’t seem to notice. He must have been a better actor than he let on. I stared at his tongue when he licked his lower lip and found myself leaning forward in anticipation, waiting for my line.

“I don’t know. Just think of something sexy.”

“No way. I need you to move in on Monday. The last thing I want to do is pop a boner and traumatize you. Once my dick enters the equation, it takes over and has a mind of its own.”

Braden barked a quick laugh. “So, you’re saying your dick has a brain?”

“Sometimes it’s bigger than the one in my head.”

“Are you sure you want to advertise that?”

“Hey, it’s not a conscious decision. Sometimes it just happens. Touch, rub, and boom! Science.”

Braden threw his head back and laughed. The hearty sound was contagious as fuck. It drew me in and blocked out everything and everyone else. I avoided eye contact because I was a chickenshit. But when he nudged my side and smiled, I felt the warmth of his smile spread through me like sunshine on a cold day. I met his gaze and grinned.

After a moment, he inclined his head toward Drew. “What happened with you guys?”

It took a second for me to refocus. I reached for my water glass and shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. It was sudden and…I don’t really want to talk about it. Breakups suck. I had two last year. I don’t want to go through another one anytime soon. Never would be better.”

“I hear ya. I’ve been single for a while. Then again, I have a serious fear of failure.”

“Says the guy who just tried out for a Shakespeare play.”

“Auditioned,” he corrected. “If I don’t get the part I want, I’ll view it as my chance to practice accepting failure and moving on gracefully. But that’s easier said than done.”

I nodded absently and glanced over at Drew. He was still good-looking, and he still had a nice smile. No doubt he still had a tight ass, a hot mouth, and a tendency to get vocal during sex. All great things, but time gave me the perspective I needed. It was fun and it hurt when it ended, but I moved on. The realization felt like a full-body sigh: the deepest breath of fresh air and the biggest release of oxygen.

“Yeah. I know what you mean. But you get there eventually, and it feels really fucking good,” I said before sipping my water. “I’m over him. Thanks for offering to play my fake boyfriend, but we should probably stick to just being roommates.”

Braden’s face went pink. He pulled his arm from the back of the booth and licked his lips nervously. “Shoot, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“Don’t be sorry.”

I gave a lopsided smile I hoped would reset the balance, but he seemed more agitated than ever.

“I wasn’t trying to make you uncomfortable or put a move on you. I’m not good at that anyway. I’m a terrible wingman too. I shouldn’t have—”

“Braden, seriously. It’s fine.”

He let out a panicky half laugh and darted his eyes toward Drew. “Fuck, he’s looking this way now. I bet he thinks we had a fight or—”

Okay, I never claimed to be a saint. I had a slew of bad ideas jockeying for space in my brain at any given time, and I almost always dove in headfirst. Like now. I cupped his face between my hands and sealed my mouth over his.