Page 53 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
"If you're lucky," Tyler replies, his voice dropping in a way that sends heat through my entire body.
"I'll find something lucky to bring with me then," I say, surprising myself with my own boldness. "See you Saturday. Try not to get your brothers too excited before then."
"Too late," he mutters. "See you Saturday."
Hanging up I stare at my phone for a moment, not quite believing what just happened.
"Holy shit," Sylas breathes. "Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"
As I fall back in my chair, a giddy laugh escaping me. "I don't know what came over me."
"Uh, Tyler Landis came over you. Or hopefully will soon." Sylas winks, then dodges as I swat at him. "Seriously, though. 'Does this mean I get to see you without a shirt on?' That was smooth as hell!"
"I don't know where that came from," I feel my cheeks heat up. "It just... slipped out."
"Well, keep letting things slip," Sylas says, sitting back on my bed. "It's working for you."
Spinning in my chair, I process what just happened. "He asked me on a date. An actual, public date. With all his fraternity brothers knowing about it."
"I know," Sylas says. "I was right here for that shocking twist."
"It's just so different from..." My voice trails off.
"From Darth Hideous," Sylas finishes, his expression sobering. "Thank god for that."
Nodding, I try to organize my thoughts. "Tyler's not even hiding it. He called me his date with all his brothers listening."
"That is... unexpected," Sylas admits. "I thought for sure he'd be trying to keep it on the down-low."
"So did I," I say. "I mean, he's only just figuring out he might be bi, right? I thought he'd want to take things slow, keep it private."
"Maybe he's not as conflicted as you thought?" Sylas suggests. "Or maybe he's just really into you."
A small smile that forms at that thought. "Maybe."
Sylas studies me for a moment. "You're really into him, too, aren't you?"
"I don't know what I am," I admit. "I like him. He's sweet and funny and stupidly hot."
"Stupidly hot is right," Sylas mutters. "Those shoulders alone should be illegal."
I throw a pillow at him, but I'm laughing. "I'm trying to be serious here!"
"Fine, fine," he says, hugging the pillow to his chest. "Continue your emotional processing."
Taking a deep breath. "I'm just... cautious. I spent too long with Ryan sneaking around, never acknowledging me publicly, making me feel like his dirty little secret. And now here's Tyler, who's barely even figured out he likes guys and is already more open about itthan Ryan ever was."
"That's a good thing, right?"
"It is," I nod. "But what if it's just novelty? What if he's just excited about this new thing and then realizes it's not what he wants? Or what if his fraternity brothers aren't as accepting as they seem?"
Sylas's smile fades, his eyebrows drawing together as his eyes narrow with concern. "Look, you know I'm the last person to trust frat guys. After what happened freshman year..." He shakes his head. "But this seems different. Tyler seems different."
"He does," I voice is soft as I agree.
"But," Sylas holds up a finger, "I still think you should be careful. Not because of Tyler specifically, but because this is all new territory for him. He might not even know what he wants yet."
Nodding, because Sylas is right. "I know. I'm not jumping into anything serious. Just a date. Just seeing where it goes."
