Page 53 of Numbers Boy
“I take it you’re… okay with this?” he asks cautiously.
“Uh, yeah,” I say, not sure why I wouldn’t be. “Should I not be?”
A spark of something that looks like approval lights his blue eyes. “No, it’s just not everyone who can accept their partner being so close to someone else.”
Ah, now it all makes sense. Steve has told me bits and pieces about Adam and how he felt threatened by literally everything. I guess this is Henry’s way of not-so-subtly making sure I’m not about to do the same thing. I decide to help point out the obvious.
“It would be pretty hypocritical of me to care when I literally workandlive with my best friend.” I punctuate the sentiment by throwing an arm over Blake’s shoulder and tugging his hair, put up in a carefully crafted messy bun today, playfully. “I think it’s great Stevie has a great support system who gets him.”
I swear I hear an “aww” from somewhere down the table, but I’m more concerned with Henry. Good thing Henry’s grinning now, too.
“Good answer, Noah. Now, tell us all about the cute fur babies you guys work with. Who’s your favorite? Besides Stacy, obvi. How did you get started? Do you have pets of your own?”
Blake chuckles beside me, still tucked up next to me. “I can help answer those.”
And just like that, we’ve moved on to the get-to-know-you portion of the morning.
“Why don’t you guys just get a cat then?” Leighton asks when I mention that Blake and I would love a dog of our own, but we can’t have one in our apartment. He’s been fairly quiet up to this point, a bit distracted by something on his phone. It’s a fair question, but also one with an easy answer.
“Blake’s allergic. Can’t be within twenty feet of a feline without puffing up, and pretty soon after that, he can’t breathe. Call me crazy, but I prefer my roommate to stay alive.” I shoot said roommate a mocking grin. “Plus, he’s a whole lot cuter this way.”
“Aw, you were almost being nice,” he throws right back, finally shoving away from me and extending his middle finger as he picks up his glass to take a drink.
“So, is that why you’re gay?” Stu pipes up from across the table.
Blake and I both turn to face him, and I see an exasperated look on Steve’s face like he knows what’s coming. He probably does. Stu flinches like he just got an elbow to the ribs. Or maybe a heel to the ankle. Ouch. What Steve doesn’t realize is, if this question is heading where I think it is, Blake has made the same stupid joke plenty of times himself.
“Because I can’t be near pussies?” Blake asks dryly from beside me, stealing the punch line. For a second, he’s completely still, giving his words time to sink in, before his face slowly splits into a huge grin. “You know it, dude!”
Stu looks dumbstruck, like he can’t believe he was beaten to the punch, and then both he and Blake crack up while the rest of us shake our heads. Looks like their chatter on our group chat has made them pretty comfortable with each other. Steve gives me an eye roll, but I can see the corners of his lips twitching. I wink back at him. I doubt either of us is truly surprised by the antics of our best friends.
My suspicions prove correct when Steve pulls out his phone, and a moment later, mine pings with a message. I open it to find a GIF fromStar Warsof Nute Gunray saying, “Now there are two of them.” I chuckle and send him a giant grin across the table.
From the other end of the table, Mark leans forward and asks in his soft voice, “What about trans men?”
Blake swivels toward the quiet blond man, laughter fading and face contemplative as he thinks about it for a few seconds. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never been with a trans man before, so I can’t say how I would feel or if that would affect my attraction to a guy. But…” He trails off, head tilted, causing a loose piece of hair to fall over his face. Blake absently twirls the lock around his finger like he often does when he’s focused on something. “I don’t think I would let someone’s genitals automatically ruin a great relationship for me without giving it a chance. I think it would depend on the guy, you know?”
“Not really, but I guess I can see your point about the right person making a difference,” Mark replies, seeming to accept Blake’s answer without issue.
Next to Steve though, Stu’s brow is furrowed like he’s lost in thought. His dark brown eyes are watching Blake’s fingers as they twist and twirl in his hair. Then, Stu gives his head a tiny shake and hops back into the conversation, asking Leighton if he’s excited for hockey playoffs to start soon.
The rest of brunch flies by quickly, and soon, the guys are all standing, and goodbyes are being exchanged. I’m pleasantly surprised when Blake and I are pulled into hugs by most of them before they go, and even those who don’t give us hugs make sure to say goodbye.
Henry is the last one to snag me, petite arms wrapping around me in a shockingly strong embrace. I easily return his gesture, eyes finding Steve’s over the shorter man’s shoulder. Steve’s mouth pulls up in a soft smile, and I’m so entranced by the sight that I almost miss what Henry is whispering in my ear.
“I’m glad you’re here, Noah. Steve deserves someone who sees and loves him for the amazing person he is. Just be patient with him? I promise he’s worth it.”
“I know he is,” I reply, tearing my eyes from Steve’s so Henry can see just how much I mean it. “And I’m glad I’m here, too.”
Bright blue eyes crinkle at the corners from Henry’s smile, and he gives me one more hug before flouncing off, a playful “Later, lovelies!” tossed over his shoulder as he goes. From beside me, I feel Steve’s hand slip into mine. I squeeze gently, loving that he so easily reaches for me now.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask,” I begin, tugging Steve close and feathering a kiss to his cheek as we walk out with Blake and Noah. “Would you guys want to come see me play sometime?”
I’m glad that Steve invited me to brunch today, and I want to share more of myself with him as well. Full honesty, I’m also hoping that having him see me perform will encourage Steve to invite me to see Eve perform, but I don’t think he’s quite ready yet. There’s still something holding him back. Even though I know he’s been getting more comfortable with me seeing his drag things lying around, that’s not the same as actually seeing him in the outfits or even him showing them to me again like he did that one time. Fortunately, I’m willing to wait as long as he needs. Like I thought earlier, I’m not going anywhere.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Steve
