Page 114 of Hollywood

I appreciated that he wasn’t trying to play it coy like Knight and Aiden.

“Good,” I said, flipping open the box. “Who wants a doughnut?”

“Ooh, me.”

“Me too!”

I went around the room, holding out the box. Knight snagged a couple of jelly-filled doughnut holes for him and Aiden. Joyride opted for a glazed with sprinkles. Such a kid. Hollywood had just gorged on Cocoa Pebbles, but that didn’t stop him from taking the chocolate-glazed doughnut. I snagged a simple glazed and took a big bite.

“Just good, huh? I thought our date advice would go over better than that.”

Hollywood stirred. “Oh, it was better than good?—”

“Your advice almost got me in trouble,” I interrupted. “Hollywood wasn’t so sure about the karaoke.”

“Oh no,” Aiden said. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize,” Holly said. “It was great. I just needed a little push to get up on that stage. I don’t normally sing publicly.”

“So it all worked out?” Knight asked.

“It did.” Hollywood beamed. “It was really fun, in the end. Wasn’t it, Tex?” He laughed. “Although, I suppose I had all the fun up there singing. You were stuck watching.”

“Oh, that was fun too,” I murmured, my body warming a few degrees. He’d been damn sexy on that stage.

“So, our advice was perfect then,” Knight said, sounding smug.

Joyride snickered. “Look at Tex’s face. That date wasfire.”

I shoved the rest of the doughnut in my mouth, a little embarrassed I was so transparent.

“Don’t tease him too much,” Hollywood said. “This was his first date with a guy. It’s a big deal.”

I swallowed with difficulty.

“Sorry,” Aiden said. “We sort of glossed right over the coming out. How are you doing with all of that?”

I shook my head. “It’s not like that. I didn’t have my first date with aguy. This is Hendrix. He’s the only guy.”

“Aw,” Aiden said.

“And look, I know I took my time, but I’m okay with being bi if it means I get to be with him. Because that’s what matters. Not who I sleep with or how I identify. Just that I get to be here with him.”

Knight pressed a hand over his heart as if he felt the words personally. “I get it, man.”

“We’re happy for you,” Aiden said.

“Glad you guys worked it out,” Joyride said. “I really don’t like babysitting enough to take your place.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Yeah, don’t even think about it.”

He smirked. “I knew you were jealous of me.”

Hollywood laughed. “As if I’d date Joy. He’s like a little brother.”

“Hey,” Joyride objected. “I’m a hot little brother.”

“Ew, incest,” Aiden teased. “So much better.”