Page 99 of Head Over Feels
Andy, the extreme ironer, showed up next.Hewas good-looking with thick black hair, a beaky nose, and a charming smile.Heobviously worked out—probably pumping iron, heh.Hedidn’t appear to be armed.
Duringa lull in the arrivals,Ileaned down and said toFelixin a low voice, “IfIhadn’t known you liked older men before now, this group makes it impossible to ignore.”I’dbet my left nut none of these guys were under thirty-five.
Felix’sgrin was relaxed and genuine for the first time since we’d arrived at the restaurant.Hebumped his shoulder into my arm. “Don’tworry, you’re still most likely the oldest one here.You’rewhat, forty-five, right?”
Irecoiled from him in mock-anger. “Takethat back.Youknow good and wellI’monly forty-two.”Whichwas still quite a bit older thanFelix’stwenty-six, butI’ddeal.
Felix’schortles cut off suddenly. “Shawn,” he said in a flat voice.
Andthere he was, in all his asshole glory.Hewas attractive in a generic sort of way, with short dark hair thinning on top and narrow face.Hehad a messenger bag across his chest, so he was a maybe on being armed.Iglared atShawnwhile he looked around to make sure no one else was listening before tellingFelixhe was “sorry for how our date went” and he was “trying to be a better person now”.Sure, fuckwad.Butthe way the other guys seemed glad to see him, and even joked around with him, made me think perhaps hehadturned over a new leaf.
Vincewas definitely carrying a gun in a shoulder holster under his utility jacket.Probablyhad one strapped to his ankle too.Hewas bald with deliberate stubble on his jaw and hazel eyes.Hewas shorter thanFelix, with a little too much muscle to be easily achievable without steroids.
Nofucking way wasIleavingFelix’sside tonight.
Lastto arrive wasXavier,Trent’sboyfriend—or possibly ex-boyfriend if he believedTrentto be guilty.HewasBlack, aboutFelix’sheight of 5’7”, with the pointiest chinI’dever seen.Hemust’ve lost weight recently.Youdidn’t spend top dollar on that brand of jeans just to have them sag like that.Xavierheaded straight forTylerandKaitoand spent quite a while locked in a hug with them.
Hefinally turned to faceFelix, his eyes wet and lips trembling. “Hey,Felix,” he said almost shyly.Theother guys in the room slowly stopped talking and turned to watch the two.
Felixshifted, like he couldn’t decide whether to offer a hug. “Xavier,I’mso sorry aboutTrent.”
Xavier’seyes started leaking. “Felix,Ipromise you,Trentdidnotdo this.There’sno way.”
NowFelixdid step in for a quick hug. “Iknow,Xavier.Idon’t think he did.”
Xaviergasped. “Really?”
Felixput his hands onXavier’sshoulders and said, “Really.”
InternallyIgroaned.IfTrentwasinnocent,FelixandXavierhad blown any chance of getting the real killer to accidentally give themselves away.
ON THE SCREWFELICIA DISCORD SERVER
ProfXJune8, 10:55pm
Holyshit!Holyfucking shit!
CHAPTER26
FELIX
JUNE
Theserver came by, and once everyone had their drinks,IborrowedMalcolm’sbeer bottle soIcould tap it against mine to get everyone’s attention.Malcolmtook his bottle back and leaned his shoulder against me, silently giving his support.Hedeserved an epic blow job later for all this.
Wheneveryone was looking my way,Isteeled my spine and said, “Thanksfor inviting me here tonight.Iappreciate the opportunity to speak to you in person.Iam truly sorry for using our dates as fodder for my sister’s sitcom.”Iglanced around the room.Noone appeared to be about to toss their drinks in my face, thankfully. “Someof you have told me you’re grateful to have met each other, andI’mglad you’ve found such an amazing group of friends.Buteven so, it doesn’t excuse whatIdid.I’velearned my lesson andI’mgoing to be more mindful of people’s private information and their vulnerabilities going forward.”
Therewas some polite clapping andTylerraised his glass. “Felix,Itold you before, we got carried away with the glitter bombs, and we’re all sorry.”Therewas a general muttering agreement.
“It, uh, was a little irritating, sure, butIdidn’t actually open any after the first one.”Achorus of boos echoed around the room, and everyone laughed.
Andycalled out, “Okay, butIvote you send us a video of you opening another one.Wedeserve that much at least!”
Ismiled and relaxed againstMalcolm.Thehard part was over.
* * *
MalcolmandIended up standing at a table along the wall by the doorway.Oneby one the guys were coming by to chat with me.Thetwo hoursTylerhad reserved the room for were almost up, andIwas hopeful the events ofCal’sdream had been averted somehow.Maybebecause we knew about them in advance?
