Page 80 of Seer
GREG
I hadn’t intendedto interrupt Cal’s evening out with his friends. Hell, I hadn’t even known he washavingan evening out with them. It’s not like we were a couple or anything.
But an hour ago I’d texted Craig and Malcolm and suggested we go to Henry’s. I’d needed the company, and even if I couldn’t discuss magic or fog monsters when Malcolm and Foster were present, I could absolutely whine about how I’d fucked things up with Cal.
I’d already told them I’d taken Cal to meet my mother, inferring that the visit concerned Cal’s psychic abilities, which was partially true.
I’d wait until we sat down with some alcohol before going into my romantic woes.
Romance. I’d finally allowed myself to start thinking about Cal in terms offeelings. Falling in love maybe. I could see it happening. I admired him already, and hell knew I was attracted to him.
After stopping by my new house to get some measurements for Ruben, I met up with the guys at Craig and Foster’s place, and Malcolm drove us to Henry’s in his gigantic convertible.This was exactly what I needed. A regular night out, with no talk of magic or Wonders. Just shooting the shit with my friends.
It wasn’t until we were heading up the sidewalk to the restaurant that I realized I was getting closer to Cal.
And there he was. As soon as we walked in, my entire body was drawn to him.
From the doorway I could only see the back of Cal’s head. Felix was sitting opposite him and that must’ve been Steve next to him, kissing his temple.
I couldn’t have stopped myself from walking over there if I’d tried. But I didn’t try. It didn’t even occur to me. Vaguely I registered Foster asking the hostess for a table, and Malcolm, who’d probably seen Felix, was following me.
When I reached their table, Steve had his arm around Cal. I’m not sure if he was trying to make me jealous, but it wasn’t Steve Cal was staring at.
“Hey.” I never said I had a way with words.
“Hey. Um, obviously you know Felix here. Have you met Steve?”
I nodded at Steve. “We met at Malcolm and Felix’s place a few years ago.”
Malcolm leaned over to kiss Felix.
I wished I was here with Cal alone. I wished I was brave enough to tell him I’d missed him in the hours we’d been apart.
But I only said, “Uh, would you be interested in going with me to a friend’s house for dinner Friday night? Nothing fancy, but I need to go for, uh, work.” I darted a glance at Steve’s over-interested face before looking back to Cal, whose expressionwas blank. All I was getting through our connection was tension. Sweat broke out across my entire back. “Um, and afterwards we could go for dessert or a drink by ourselves. If that’s okay with you?” Fuck, had I lostallof my self-confidence? This was torture.
Cal’s face eased into a small smile. “Sure, Greg. Sounds fun. I’d love to go.”
My whole body relaxed. There was less tension coming through our connection, but I could also feel a tiny bit of amusement. Fuck me.
“Great. I’ll text you the details. Um, good to see you, Felix, Steve. Have a good night.”
I wished I could kiss Cal like Steve had done earlier. At least touch him.
Instead I kept my head high and my steps even as I walked through the restaurant to where Craig and Foster were sitting.
I slid into the booth across from them, scooting over to make room for Malcolm, who was right behind me.
The server materialized with water glasses for all four of us.
Malcolm pointed at me and said, “He’ll have a whiskey sour with two shots of bourbon on the side. I’ll have a Shiner Bock.”
Craig and Foster placed their own orders. As soon as the server left, they looked between me and Malcolm.
“What the hell happened?” Foster asked.
I put my elbows on the table and let my face fall into my hands. “Shoot me now.”
Malcolm patted my shoulder. “You know in the movies when the barely pubescent nerdy kid asks out the super-coolpopular girl, and you just cringe inside at how awkward it is?”
