Page 27 of The Devil You Know
“Seth wants to start his own computer security business,” Jesse volunteered, sounding like a proud mom.
“Interesting choice.” Taylor looked at Seth. “How did you come up with that?”
Seth shrugged. “I did a lot of that sort of thing in the military. Figured I’d put my experience to good use.”
“Taylor’s a systems engineer,” Jesse said, nudging their conversation along. “Figured you two might have a lot to talk about.”
The server brought their desserts, and Taylor asked for a cup of coffee. As they ate, Jesse and Taylor told funny stories about campus life. Taylor also had plenty of amusing tales from the summers he had been a camp counselor at a wilderness retreat for LGBTQ youth. That confirmed Seth’s suspicion that Taylor had given him the once-over.
Admittedly, my gaydar is a little rusty.
“Since this is my treat, I’m going to go settle the bill,” Jesse announced, standing up. “Take your time. I want to order some cheesecake to take home for Mom and Dad.”
Jesse’s tone was nonchalant, but Seth had been reading his brother’s tells since they were kids and knew when he wasn’t telling the whole truth. Something clicked in Seth’s mind, and he realized that Taylor’s appearance was not as spontaneous as it seemed.
That little fart set me up on a blind date.
“It’s great to finally meet you. I’m happy to show you around if you’d like,” Taylor said with a welcoming smile.
“Sure,” Seth replied. “Although Jesse’s done a fine job.”
“I’m sure he has, but I might bring a different perspective.” Taylor’s knee bumped Seth’s under the table, a light touch there and gone, but a signal sent, nonetheless.
“We’re taking a trip with our folks, but maybe we can meet up afterward,” Seth answered. Taylor was cute and funny and seemed like a nice guy. Despite his initial annoyance at being maneuvered into the situation, Seth realized Jesse was trying to do a good thing.
Then why do I feel like I’m being unfaithful to consider going out with Taylor?
Taylor handed Seth his phone. “Text yourself, and then I’ll have your number, and you’ll have mine. I’ll want to hear all about that trip—and how the two of you survive going on the great American vacation with your parents!”
When they said goodbye, Taylor held on to Seth’s hand a few seconds longer than necessary and let go with a slide of fingers across his palm.
“Remember what I said about the road trip,” Taylor told them. “Pictures or it didn’t happen!” He waved and then sauntered off in the opposite direction from where they’d parked.
Seth gave Jesse a playful punch on the shoulder.
“Hey! What’s that for? I just bought you steak and cheesecake!”
“And set me up on a blind date.”
Jesse grinned. “Figured that out, did you? I always said you were smarter than you look,” he teased with a fond tone.
Seth lightly smacked the back of Jesse’s head. “Shut up.”
“Make me.”
“What are you, twelve?”
They laughed all the way back to Jesse’s car. Seth couldn’t have imagined a better homecoming.
* * *
“Everyone’s got their phones,wallets, and chargers?” Linda asked two days later when they were all in the truck.
“Did you remember to pee? I’m not pulling over five minutes onto the road. This rig isn’t fun to park,” Brian grumbled.
“You do know we’re not ten, right, Dad?” Jesse said from the back seat where he and Seth were packed in with a drink cooler, two grocery bags of snacks, and enough handheld electronics to get them to Richmond.
“Everyone pees,” Brian replied. “Just do it now before we leave so we don’t have to stop right away. Do you remember that time—”
