Catch A Tiger By The Tail (THIRDS 6)

Calvin threw a hand up. “Dude, seriously?”

Sloane closed the door behind them, his face as red as Ethan’s felt. This was becoming a very disturbing habit.

Dex turned his face up to the ceiling. “Why me? Why’s this keep happening to me?”

“I think the answer’s pretty obvious,” Calvin muttered.

“It is?” Dex frowned in thought.

“You attract crazy,” Calvin replied sincerely. “Like bees to honey.”

“Thanks.”

Sloane turned to Dex, his expression wary. “I’m all for getting adventurous, but I gotta say, I’m a little concerned right now.”

“Really?” Dex folded his arms over his chest, his expression uninspired.

Sloane shrugged. “Just saying. I mean, that’s twice now.”

“I’m not doing it on purpose!” Dex spun toward them. “Sorry, fellas, but you’re going to have to find yourselves another utility closet. This one’s spoken for.” Dex frowned at Ethan. “Dude, pull your pants up.”

Ethan nodded, then realized he’d need his hands to do that. His hands were kind of occupied at the moment. He motioned behind Dex.

“He wants you to turn around,” Calvin said.

“Oh, so now you’re feeling modest?” Dex shook his head in amusement as he turned, Sloane rolling his eyes as he did the same.

Ethan quickly pulled up his underwear and jeans, zipping himself up before straightening out his clothes. He cleared his throat, and their friends turned back to them.

“Good,” Dex said cheerfully. “Now get lost. It’s our turn.”

Ethan did not need to know that.

They headed for the door, when Calvin stopped to ask Dex, “How’d you get in here anyway? The door was locked.”

“It’s always locked.”

“It wasn’t when we came in here.”

“Yeah, I know.” Dex held up a key, his grin wide. “Because I unlocked it. We got caught up when Dimples the Firefighter showed up. We really need to ask Letty what the dude’s name is. I feel kinda weird calling him Dimples to his face.”

“You could not call him that,” Sloane suggested. “I have a feeling he would prefer you not call him that.”

Calvin frowned. “Why do you have a key to the utility closet?”

Dex arched an eyebrow at him.

“Oh.” Calvin scrunched up his nose. “Ew.”

“Ew? It stinks of sex in here. Thanks for that.”

Calvin’s face went beet red, and he grabbed Ethan’s wrist, pulling him out of the closet to the sound of Dex’s laughter. “Dick,” Calvin muttered as the door was shut behind them. He stopped in front of the exit that led out into the bar. “So, um, where does this leave us? Not that I’m complaining about what happened,” Calvin said with a shy laugh.

Ethan didn’t know how to respond. His expression must have said as much, because Calvin let out a heavy sigh, one that went straight to Ethan’s heart.

“Don’t worry about it, okay? I know you don’t want me with anyone else. Not a problem, considering you’re the one I want.” He stepped up to Ethan and put a hand to his cheek. “I need to know what’s going to happen with us, Ethan. I need to know where we stand, and I can’t… wait in this limbo forever. I’m trying to be patient. I really am. It’s getting too painful. Whatever you decide, I’ll always be here.” Calvin walked out the door before Ethan could respond. Calvin was right. It wasn’t fair to leave him hanging, wondering if they were more than friends with benefits. He needed to get his thoughts in order, to accept once and for all that Calvin was more than his best friend, and not just in secret, but out there.

Ethan left the back end of Dekatria and found Calvin at the bar ordering a drink. Ethan put his hand to the small of Calvin’s back, earning him a warm smile. Calvin ordered him a beer, and they headed back to their table, where the rest of their team was gathered, minus Dex and Sloane. Bradley pulled a small square table next to them with a chair to each side of it. Looked like Ash and Sloane were actually going to arm wrestle. Ash took a seat on one side with Cael kneading his shoulders. Did they know Sloane was… busy?