Page 68 of Spilled Coffee

Devon settled back against the seat and sprawled out like he owned the place. One arm draped across the backrest casually while his legs stretched wide beneath the table.

He looked completely at ease here, as if this kind of scene was second nature to him. His head bobbed faintly in time with the music; eyes half-closed, savoring every beat.

He cracked his eyes open, a lazy smile curling his lips as he caught Ethan staring. “You okay?”

It wasn’t until now that Ethan really noticed just how massive he was. Sure, he’d known Devon was big, but up close… it hit differently, and every inch of him seemed to be carved from solid stone.

He tried not to stare but failed miserably, and when Devon turned those sharp eyes on him, suddenly it took everything he had not to flinch. “You know, I probably shouldn’t have come. I’m still feeling rough from last night.”

“Nonsense,” Devon continued, his tone shifting to something playful as he rested his elbows on the table and leaned in, blurring the lines between casual and intimate. “What you needis to relax and be yourself. No one’s judging you here. You can be what you want. Like who you like… Anything goes.”

His hand slid across the table, landing on Ethan’s leg, rubbing it up and down—strong fingers groping extremely close to his groin.

Ethan’s eyes darted to the bar, heart kicking up. “Yeah, I’m not sure I can. I mean...” He nodded subtly toward Brick.

“Brick’s cool. He’s your buddy, I doubt he’d judge.” His fingers tightened slightly, a gesture that felt equal parts reassuring and possessive. “Hell, the guy’s probably seen weirder shit than you liking guys.” He moved closer. “Just relax.”

Ethan squirmed uncomfortably, trying to ignore how warm and solid Devon’s hand felt against him. “Yeah, well…” His voice came out quieter than intended, “I’d rather you didn’t make it so obvious in front of him. I’m not sure I’m ready for that conversation tonight.”

For a moment, there was silence between them, a charged pause that seemed to stretch longer than it should have. Then Devon tilted his head as if considering something deeply amusing. “Well,” he said finally, drawing out the word as his gaze flicked over Ethan with deliberate slowness. “Looks like Brick’s gonna be occupied anyway.”

Ethan followed Devon’s gaze toward the bar. His stomach sank slightly at what he saw. The two girls from last night—Abbey and Lisa—had reappeared as if magically summoned.

Their glossy hair and tight dresses made them stand out, their high-pitched laughter cutting through the ambient noise like nails on glass. Abbey wasted no time draping herself over Brick, manicured hands roaming over his chest while Lisa clung to his arm, giggling like he’d told the funniest joke in the world.

Brick grinned under their attention, balancing the tray of shot glasses without spilling a drop as they tugged him towardthe booth like they owned him, or they just wanted him to own them.

Ethan tensed as they approached, forcing a weak smile when Brick finally looked over and winked—a casual gesture that felt strangely loaded under the circumstances. “So,” he bellowed as he slid into the booth with Abbey practically glued to his side. “Ladies… what d’you say to some drinkin’ and dancin’, then back to mine for a party?”

Abbey let out an exaggerated laugh that bordered on shrill as she pressed herself against Brick and kissed him sloppily enough to make Ethan wince.

“Sounds good to me,” she purred, “I loved last night.” Her grin widened wickedly as she trailed one of those perfectly manicured nails down Brick’s arm suggestively. “Hey,” she suddenly said, feigning innocence so poorly it was almost comical. “Are your friends joining in tonight?”

Lisa perked up at this, her gaze snapping to Devon with renewed interest as she tilted her head coyly. “Are you two a couple?”

The question hit Ethan like a slap in the face and he sat up straighter instinctively as heat rushed to his face.

“Um… no.” He stammered before clearing his throat and trying again—louder this time, but no less flustered. “No way. What makes you think that?” His hands dropped into his lap as if trying to put distance between himself and whatever assumptions Lisa might be making.

Devon raised a brow and leaned against the booth seat, a picture of unbothered confidence if there ever was one, and flashed Lisa one of those smiles that could probably charm its way out of a police ticket. “Oh, I’m up for anything, honey.”

She smiled, crossing her legs, skirt riding so high that she nearly flashed her panties. “Well, then...” She grabbed a shot and downed it in one. Her cleavage strained against her tightred dress, and she ran her tongue along her bottom lip before adding, “Looks like we’re in for a great night.”

Brick shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his broad shoulders tensing. He felt heat creeping up his neck, not from embarrassment, but a flicker of unease that wouldn’t settle. His eyes darted to Ethan, who sat stiffly on the opposite side, avoiding everyone’s gaze.

“I’ll grab more shots,” Devon announced, pushing out of his seat. He slapped Brick’s shoulder lightly and asked with a laugh, “What d’you say, we all party at yours after?”

Brick hesitated for a second, then grabbed one of the remaining shots and tossed it back. “Yeah, sure.” Unease filled his face. Sure, he liked Devon—well, enough to invite him over for beers or to watch some dumb action movie when there was nothing else going on—but his suggestion felt very different to that.

He glanced at the girls: Abbey with her dark curls and infectious laugh that made guys trip over themselves to get her attention, and Lisa… Lisa had sharp cheekbones and even sharper tongue. They were fun—wild in all the right ways—and if things did get crazy… well, Brick wasn’t exactly opposed to that.

A threesome wasn’t off the table, but not when dudes were involved.

Devon’s vibe was hard to pin down. One minute he was charming, the next sly. Brick side-eyed Ethan. Was there something between them? And was Ethan part of whatever it was Devon had planned for tonight?

He grabbed another shot to drown out the thought.

The tequila went down like fire and he winced through the burn. “Jeez, man,” he said with a laugh that sounded forced even to his own ears. “This stuff’s gross.”

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