“We do love Rig, but this adds a wrinkle,” Essie admitted. “They’re all going over there to finally talk things out, as Rig put it, but now it’s not just about one kiss at a wedding or David’s evolving sexuality. Does Rory know?”
David’s lips formed a silent, frustrated snarl. “Rig told him last night, even though I wanted to wait. He said it had to come from him, but then Rory got drunk and mentioned something about not wanting to step on any experimenting toes, so I think he misunderstood.”
Essie winced. “Yeah. Well, we knew Rory was sensitive when it came to you. He always has been. As close as he and Rig are, you’ve always been special to him. It adds a wrinkle,” she repeated. “But we’ll deal with that in a minute. Now let’s get to that blowjob. Was it good? Did you prove it to yourself?”
The blood flowing to his face changed direction and he shifted, adjusting his pants at the memory of Rig’s hot, magical mouth. “Prove what?”
“That you’re gay. Or bi. Whatevs.”
David snorted. “I haven’t wanted another man yet, and you know I’ve tested the waters once or twice with that app you gave me. Rory is different and Rig and I... Maybe it’s because I trust them, I don’t know.”
“You haven’t even looked at a woman in the last twelve months,” Janice added helpfully. “So…did you like it?”
“God yes.” David turned beet red as they laughed at his emphasis. “But Essie’s right, I’m not sure how Rory’s going to feel about that.” Or the fact that I’d like to do it again.
“He’ll be fine. I’ve been secretly buttering him up for a while now. I gave him all those Kindle books for Christmas, and why do you think Hermione’s first litter went to the Finn family months ago? That was for you. In anticipation of this moment.”
“You anticipated this? Really, Es?”
Janice sent David a wink. “Of course she did. Also, they were the only ones who agreed to send yearly pictures and the background check she ran on all of them came back with two thumbs way up so she knew the babies would live like royalty. So there’s that.”
David glanced down at the sleeping Boston terrier and Boxer who’d given him a bushel of brownie points with most of Rory’s family. Thank God Essie had honored his impromptu offer. He’d been desperate to find a way to apologize to Rory for dropping out on him so abruptly and nothing had been working. Nothing was enough.
It was painfully apparent that Rory didn’t completely trust him anymore. Not the way he used to. It shamed him.
If he knew the real reason David had continued to keep his distance after the initial shock of his desire… He shook his head. Long-term friendship or not, Rory might run in the other direction if things got too romantic. He always did. That or draw an uncross-able line, the way he had with Rig. This far only, it said. Beyond this there be dragons with issues.
David and Rig agreed they were both really damn tired of that line.
As for the puppies… “No one could love those cute little rascals more than the Finns do.”
“Whatever. I still potentially saved your bromance and/or eventual romance and you can’t take that away from me. Ten thousand points to Hufflepuff and free wine for life.”
David was skeptical. “You can’t take credit for everything in my life. You know that right? Also that point system is rigged.”
“Says the Ravenclaw.” Essie sent a speaking look to Janice. “Men. It’s a wonder the species has survived as long as it has.”
“Sing it, baby,” Janice murmured, her eyes twinkling.
Essie sang. “I brought him food and kept him busy when all he wanted to do was binge on all things Joss Whedon, grow a beard and search out medical precedents for being temporarily gay. I convinced him to shower, which everyone in his apartment complex privately thanked me for. We’ve bent over backwards since he broke up with Bette the Ball Crusher New Year’s before last to protect him from the horny female hordes that for some reason I’ll never be able to explain think he’s adorable. And there he sits. A clean, well-fed, recently confirmed bisexual. Still completely clueless after all my work.”
David grabbed a handful of Janice’s white cheddar popcorn. “You didn’t just bend over backwards. You danced on Instagram and lit a Barbie effigy in Bette’s honor the day I told you about that break up. Thanks so much for that, by the way, since everything I still had at her place was sent to me in a garbage bag a few days later. Somehow burnt and soggy at the same time.”
Essie winced. “How was I supposed to know she’d see that? She’d never shown any interest in social media before.”