Page 43 of Tobias

Tobias laughs. “That’s rough. We could just do Thanksgiving at my house.”

“It’s not the same,” Mario whines.

“Oh, hey, guess who I saw this morning?” Nathanial says with a disgusted look on his face but mischief in his eyes. Eyes that are glued to Tobias.

“Do I want to ask?” Tobias says carefully.

“Brandon. He’s lucky I didn’t run him over with my car.”

“Not worth it,” Tobias answers quickly before taking a mouthful of his whiskey.

“Who’s that?” I ask, looking between him and Nathanial.

“My ex.”

“He doesn’t deserve that title. Brandon is just a piece of shit,” Nathanial announces.

Tobias shrugs, taking another mouthful of his liquor and nearly emptying the glass. His gesture makes it seem like he doesn’t care, but there’s something about the way his face changed when the name was mentioned. This man hurt him.No one says anything for a moment, and Tobias gets up and walks toward the bar without a word.

“He okay?” Benton asks, looking at me.

I stare at him, wondering the same thing myself.

“Rough day at his family’s house,” is what I say.

“Always is. Molly is a cunt.”

“Nathanial!” Luca chastises, slapping Nathanial on the arm.

“Well, she is. She treats Tobias like shit over something that isn’t even his fault.”

When Tobias comes back, he has a full bottle of Jameson that he puts down on the table.

“Are we ready to party or what?” he asks with a grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Hell yes!” Benton says, jumping to his feet. With a quick look of sympathy, Nathanial heads over to the stage and changes the music, putting it louder.

When I decided to come out tonight, I didn’t expect to be sitting in a circle, on the stage, with a bunch of guys passing around a bottle of Jameson and playing Truth or Dare.

I mean—how old are we?

“Okay, Luca. Your turn!” Benton singsongs, drumming his hands on his thighs. “Truth or Dare.”

“Hm…” Luca taps his chin with his finger, taking the bottle when it’s passed to him. “Dare.”

Benton grins as Luca takes a swig.

“I dare you to flash Nathanial your junk.”

Nathanial gasps but then grins from ear to ear.

“Seriously? That’s all you’ve got?” Luca says, getting to his feet and walking over to Nathanial, who is across from me.

“Is he really going to do that?” I whisper to Tobias, who is on my left.

Everyone in the circle is sitting cross-legged, our knees brushing. I don’t remember whose idea it was to do this, but I kind of love it. I have great friends, but I don’t have friends like this. I can’t imagine Morgan or Asher playing Truth or Dare unless it was strictly related to sex.

“Of course.” Tobias is handed the bottle. He takes a swig then offers it to me. I wrap my hand around the green glass, but he doesn’t let go. I raise a brow but all he does is smile before letting it go.

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