Page 35 of French 75
“He’s good then,” he states, wagging his eyebrows at me. “Can I get some details?”
I snort. “You want to know about my sex life?”
“Considering I haven’t gotten laid in eight months, yes. I really do.”
I gawk at that. Max is, like, spectacularly hot. He has this whole male model, boy-next-door vibe going on that I’m sure the ladies—or gents—love. Thick blond hair that reminds me a bit of the Hill brothers, dark blue eyes that literally smolder, and a bright white smile that can knock someone on their ass. “Eight months?”
“Hey,” he argues with a frown. “My question first.”
I huff and look down at my aching friend. This certainly isn’t going to help my raging boner go down, but I suppose family shares this kind of stuff. At the same time, I can’t exactly gush to Cassius about a hookup he participated in, and I’m sure the guys at the bar won’t want to hear it, so I take this opportunity for what it is. “It was really good,” I rush out with a giddy smile. “Oh, my sweet Lord, it wasamazing.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “And you and Cassius have never…”
“No,” I answer his unfinished question. “I mean, we kiss and cuddle all the time, but we’ve never done anything like last night.”
He nods along. “He seems like a cool guy.”
“Oh! He’s the very best!” I say excitedly. “Cassius is the single most greatest person on the entire planet. He’s overprotectiveand sweet and considerate. He never has a mean word to say to me, and he’s always there when I need him.”
Through tearful breakups, haunted nightmares, and memories of the past, Cassius has been my lighthouse. He guides me through the storm and makes everything all warm and fuzzy. I’m the luckiest guy to have him in my life.
“Sounds awesome. I wish I had someone like that,” he mutters, then his eyes widen, as if he just realized what he said. “Not that Bryson isn’t a great friend! He totally is! It’s just that he has Juandi and Dalton now. I was his person, and I’m not angry at him for finding love and shit, but we’re just not as close as we used to be.”
I feel for him. I can’t relate, though, because I’ve always had Cassius. However, I can’t imagine what life would be like without that relationship. I think everyone needs someone who’s extra special. With that in mind, I place my hand atop Max’s and smile. “I’m your friend now. If there’s anything you ever want to share, or anything you ever need, I’ll be here for you.”
His eyes water a bit, and he sniffles. I love it when guys are in touch with their emotions. It’s just so authentic, and Max strikes me as the kind of person who just can’t help but be himself. “Thanks, little dude. That means a lot.” Wiping the corner of his eye with the back of his hand, he clears his throat. “Okay, my top priority now is helping you with this list. No matter what, we’re finding you a forever guy.”
“Really?” I beam at him and can’t help but throw myself into his big arms. “Thank you, Max.”
He pats my back a little too roughly and pulls away with a smile. “Operation: Find a Great Guy for Skylar has begun. Let’s rock this shit, man!”
And we try our best. We sit and talk about the plan, but I get too caught up learning things about Max to pay attention to that.We chat about meaningless things, some big things, and laugh a lot. All the while, I enjoy his company with a smile on my face.
Because our family just got a little bigger.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Cassius
The buzzingin the air has my blood roaring.
I’m grinning as I enter the skate park in the late hours of the night. Already prepared, I whip off my shirt and tuck it into my back pocket, hoping for a good fight. I make my way down a slope and skid, looking around for Knox. It’s when I see him by the pit, standing next to Rhys and Everest, that I have to do a double take.
“What the hell?” I say, no malice in my voice, just sheer surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Everest grins brightly, stepping away from Rhys so he can look into the pit. “It’s so cool. When Knox told me about it?—”
“Knox told you about it,” I repeat, narrowing my eyes at the man in question. “Really?”
Knox doesn’t even have the decency to look guilty as he shrugs. “We’re rekindling our friendship. Deal with it.”
I can’t be mad at that. Knox has been surprisingly forthcoming about what happened with him and Everest a few months ago. Apparently, they were best friends at one point, before Everest got with Rhys, and before Knox repeatedly tried to get with him, regardless. I don’t blame Everest for taking time away from him—because it sounds like Knox really was theasshole in that situation—and Knox doesn’t seem to hold any lingering resentment.
I raise an eyebrow at them. “Rhys?”
He scoffs. “As if I was letting Everest come to this alone.”
“Right,” I mumble, sneaking a look at Knox. “And you’re chill now? It’s over? The dick-swinging contest can cease?”
