Page 23 of Obnoxious Bad Boy

‘You want to be friends with me?’ asks that needy voice inside of me, but fortunately I’m a man rational enough to silence it. I know he’s probably saying this because he liked fucking me. We don’t know each other well. But I’m still giddy to hear it, since I don’t have that many friends. Will he spend his lunch breaks with me more often from now on?

I smile at him and grab a macaroon. It’s so nice of him to pay attention to which flavors I like. “Does that mean you won’t kick me out of your place without a shoe next time?” There. I’m not some lovesick puppy. I’m a grown-ass man and won’t let another guy walk all over me even if he’s as sinfully hot as Vex.

He leans closer and rests his elbows on the tabletop, looking straight into my eyes from above the cup. His gaze is icy blue, but there’s nothing cold about the way it feels on my skin. “I was kind of hoping you’d call me to demand it back, but you chose to avoid me instead.”

Heat is climbing up my neck all too fast. “I freaked out a little. I can get a bit too tangled in my own thoughts sometimes. Like, one moment someone accidentally spills their coffee, and then the next, I’m convinced they hate me, laugh at me behind my back, and secretly plan to ruin my life…” I laugh nervously, but I’m not sure if it comes off as funny or pathetic. I probably shouldn’t be telling him this in the first place.

But he doesn’t recoil in disgust and just keeps watching me as if I were the most interesting person in the room. His presence is magnetic, and I’m certain I’m not the only one feeling shivers down my spine, but while the other patrons are certainly watching us, neither of us acknowledges it.

“Why would you think that?” Vex asks and helps himself to a chocolate macaroon. “I spilled my coffee because I saw you and was so dumbstruck by that cute little fuckable face of yours I missed a step.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “What? Why were you so rude then?”

He shrugs with a groan. “I just broke up with a guy I moved to Springton for, and I guess I lashed out.”

That’s interesting to know about him, but all I can think of is that he considers me cute. And fuckable.

I take care of myself, I’m picky about how I choose my clothes and style my hair, but while I aspire to look classy, refined, or dramatic, I don’t know the first thing about sexy. I only know it when I see it, and it’s sitting right next to me.

“That… makes a lot of sense.”

“Does it?” Vex grins and pokes my foot with his under the table.

“I guess, if you were in a bad mood. I’m not always the most pleasant either.”

Vex chuckles. “Well, you’ll have the chance to show off your charm later. I know we were supposed to meet up at mine, but I forgot I was invited to this party. Would you like to come too?”

I’m struggling to swallow my macaroon. “As your date-guest-person?” Didn’t he just say he doesn’t want people to know? Unless this is a party with his other friends who know he’s into guys? Am I his boyfriend? Or does such a thing require official stating of intentions?

“As my friend,” Vex says, putting a lid on my hopes for being his official partner.

I laugh. “Of course. I knew that. Just messing with you.” Because I can be all cool and casual about these things and not at all a silly, inexperienced barely-not-virgin who’s flailing around like a headless chicken.

I wonder if this is the right time to ask him whether he’s gay or bi, because it’s burning a hole in my head, but I spot Jessica in the corner of my eye.

“Oh fuck. My frenemies. I’m here for a study session with them.” I want to tell Vex to act casual, but it’s me who is panicking while he seems perfectly relaxed as he sips his coffee.

“Oh, studying with frenemies, sleeping with your nemesis who spilled coffee on you... where does it end?” he quips as Jessica finds us in the crowd and her eyes widen to the size of saucers.

I don’t get a chance to answer because she waves at me, pulling Declan along by the arm. He points to something on the specials board, but I know it’s just a failed attempt at trying to get his girlfriend’s attention.

“Hey, Aaron! Sorry we’re late,” she says with a smile much wider than she would have had for me only. “Who’s your friend?” she asks as if she doesn’t know. Her little flush speaks volumes.

“I’m Vex,” he says and offers her his hand.

She grabs the opportunity to shake it.

Just Vex. No biggie.

His gaze then moves to Declan, who stands over the table with the face of someone who’s trying to hold in particularly aggressive farts. “Nice to meet you.”

I introduce Jessica and Declan, deciding not to provide a handy explanation of how I know Vex. Let them simmer in their curiosity. Jessica might claim Vex is a vapid Instagram influencer, but we both know she’d bang him given half the chance.

She goes as far as sending Declan to the counter to get their coffees.

“Now that I think about it…” Jessica says. “I might have seen you around. You do tattoos at that studio down the street? I was always interested in the process.”

As if she didn’t stalk him on Instagram with the same ferocity as I.