Page 28 of Solid Foundation
“Then what’s your next move? Are you going to start dating him?” Knox asked.
“I don’t know. It’s new. And…”
“And?” Axton prompted.
“It’s not like I’m out to anyone other than you idiots. What if someone sees us or something?”
Slade snorted. “Give me a break. This is probably the most queer-friendly town in the state. Give it a try. Nothing bad will happen. Promise.”
He had a point. I bit my bottom lip. “You’re right.” I had to learn to move past my fear. I swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay. A date.” My phone vibrated in my pocket and I slid it out to check the notification. It was Max.
Max: Are you busy? I thought I might head back to the library and I thought you might want to join.
I quickly tapped out a reply.
Jake: I have a better idea. Why don’t we go out?
Max: Out where?
Jake: I want to take you on a date.
My stomach was in knots as I waited for an answer. Did he see this the same way I did? Was he interested in more than just what had happened the previous night? And had it really only been twenty-four hours since we’d hooked up, or whatever I was supposed to call it?
Max: I’d love that.
Jake: Great. I’ll pick you up in a bit. What’s the address?
I was grinning from ear to ear, my chest feeling warm and relaxed, rather than the tight knot I’d had a few minutes ago. Once he sent his address, I looked up at the guys, who were all quietly watching me.
“You must really like him,” Knox said. “That smile on your face wouldn’t lie.”
I flipped them all off and stood up. “I’m going to go.”
“Aw, come on, don’t be like that,” Slade protested.
“I have a date.”
They all ooh-ed and I rolled my eyes, chuckling and shaking my head as I left the garage. “See you assholes later.” It was said with love, not malice… probably.
I slid into my truck to go home to a quick shower and change. I didn’t want to show up for Max smelling like the workday and still wearing my dirty Hayes T-shirt. As soon as I was satisfied that I was clean, presentable, and better smelling, I got back into my pickup and headed to Max’s place.
I arrived at Max’s a little while later and parked in his driveway next to his little rental. I started to get out of the truck but he stepped out before I could even close my door, wearing chinos and a dark polo shirt. I grinned—even for a date he looked like he’d stepped out of a production set.
A moment later, he climbed into my truck and my stomach did a flip of nerves. Before I could even say hello, he spoke. “I’m so sorry I look like this. I didn’t exactly bring date clothes for thistrip. All of my good date-appropriate outfits are back in New York.”
Right. New York. Where he’s from.It hit me like a ton of bricks that Max wasn’t from Port Grandlin and he wasn’t staying. “No worries,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “You look great.”
He smiled at me, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip, his eyebrows rising briefly. “So do you.”
I was dressed more casually than he was in jeans and a blue V-neck, with a plaid flannel thrown over it, but I didn’t think that’s what he meant from the tone he was giving me. My face heated. “Thanks.”
Max sat back in the seat. “So, where to?”
“I was thinking we’d go to this old movie theater my crew recently worked on. I didn’t do any of the work but it’s still a cool landmark. Does that sound okay?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
Port Grandlin wasn’t large and it didn’t take long until we were parked on the street a block from the Radiance Theater. A teenager sold me our tickets and we made our way inside, grabbing popcorn and a couple of drinks before settling into seats in the back corner of the theater. It was completely empty besides us.
