Page 16 of Zero Confusion

“I’m heading out, and I promised you a birthday shot before I go.” He stopped on Joel’s other side, briefly acknowledging Zach with a sharp nod. “Zach.”

It could have been the pulsing colors painting the air or the never-ending beat of the bass distorting the sounds, but he could have sworn there was a flash of contempt in Tyler’s eyes and something bitter in his voice when he looked over. It had to be Zach’s imagination. They’d always been friendly, and he couldn’t recall doing anything to lose Tyler’s favor.

“Tyler, I didn’t know you came here,” he greeted him back with a smile. “Having fun?”

Tyler offered a tight “Yep” before glancing to his side. “Hey, Miles.”

As Tyler ordered the drink—some complicated concoction that made Joel squeal in delight—Zach glanced between him and Miles in confusion. Did they know each other? Everything about tonight was weird, and Zach’s scrambled thoughts spread before him like puzzle pieces that refused to fit together.

After Tyler left, not even bothering to say goodbye to Zach, Joel leaned into Kade. They whispered to each other for a while, long enough for Zach to get bored and walk back to Miles, who’d been shooting him apologetic looks.

“Everything okay?”

Miles rested his palm on Zach’s lower back, far lower than his usual spot between Zach’s shoulder blades. “Of course. I’ve never been somewhere so loud, but I kinda like it.”

Zach chuckled. “I’m sure there are some clubs near your campus.” As he said it, he knew Miles wouldn’t go. Not even if Zach looked it up and drew him a map. And a part of him liked that, liked that this experience wouldn’t be diluted by future trips, would be forever inextricably linked with Zach.

“We’re gonna head out,” Joel announced. “Kade’s gonna take me to Thrum.”

“Already? We just got here.”

“Dude, it’s been—” He checked his phone. “—almost two hours.”

Shit, time had really flown by tonight. Still trying to wrap his mind around it, Zach followed their group upstairs and outside, pausing when they stopped next to a sleek black sedan parked down the block. Kade reached inside his pocket and waited for the car to make a low chirp before throwing the passenger door open for Joel.

“Are you okay to drive?” Zach checked, wondering if it was a good idea to let Joel out of his sight with this stranger.

“He’s fine. He only had a seltzer,” Joel promised and gave both him and Miles a quick hug, then climbed inside. “I’ll text you tomorrow.”

Kade gently shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, then paused, meeting Zach’s gaze. “I’m glad little Joey has friends that care so much.” His deep voice rumbled in the darkness, a slight lilt giving it a melodic quality.

“It’s Joel!” Joel’s indignant yell came from inside the car. “J-O-E-L!”

“I’m sorry, Joel.” Kade dragged out the vowels in the name. “Such a pretty name for such a pretty boy.”

Zach didn’t need to hear more. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

Kade chuckled and folded himself into the driver’s seat. When the car pulled away from the curb, Miles’s arm slipped around his waist. “Do you want to go back inside?”

“I don’t think so.” Zach sighed. Whatever strange magic had hold over him earlier was long gone. He’d revisit those memories later, reliving Miles’s scorching touch and their bodies sliding together over and over, but they’d be nothing but echoes of time long past.

Waves of disappointment and exhaustion hit him at the same time. “Let’s go home.”

“Okay, Zee.” Miles threw his arm around Zach’s shoulder and kissed the top of his head. Zach pretended to be engrossed in his phone, ordering a car, staring at the screen far longer than necessary, willing his emotions to ebb.

The silence on the ride back was almost ominous. Miles stared out the window, much as he did on the way there, but this time felt more oppressive, more personal. Zach hunched over and rested his forehead against the passenger seat.

“If you’re gonna be sick, you have to leave the car,” the driver said, not taking his eyes off the road.

Zach straightened and frowned. “Seriously? I’m tired, not drunk.”

“Don’t care. I’ve cleaned puke out of this car too many times. If it looks like you’re going to be sick, I’m pulling over.”

Huffing with annoyance, Zach leaned back in the seat and folded his arms across his chest.

“Everybody’s being a dick tonight,” Zach grumbled to Miles softly, lowering his voice enough so the driver wouldn’t hear. “Did you see how Tyler looked at me?” he complained before remembering the strangest part. “And how did he know your name?”

Miles made a strangled sound. “We met while you were dancing.” It sounded like he wanted to add something, but they were already slowing down in front of their building. Zach wished the driver a good, puke-free night and scrambled out of the car after Miles.