In the Distance (6 page)

Jamie pushed away from wall and headed to the front doors of the restaurant. “Can’t wait. See you tomorrow.”

Tomorrow he would no doubt want a full report, but I didn’t want to think about tomorrow right now. I wanted to focus on tonight and how much I was looking forward to going out with Tyler to celebrate. It wasn’t a hookup. I’d meant it when I promised Jamie that Tyler wouldn’t be a fuck and chuck. It was a night out to celebrate with a friend. Nothing more.

Chapter Nine

Tyler

“Shit.”

Trevor’s business card wasn’t in any of the drawers in the apartment. I’d checked the dirty laundry basket and no luck there. It wasn’t stuck on the fridge, near the phone, in one of my books or anywhere else. How hard was it to find one small card? I’d accepted Trevor’s invitation on impulse, but now that I’d had time to think, I wasn’t sure I could go through with it.

Ethan and Jamie thought it was their responsibility to look after me, and most of the time I didn’t mind it. My own family hadn’t given two shits, so it had been almost too good to be true when Ethan had taken me under his wing, protected me and stayed late to practice new techniques with me time and time again.

When Bistro 30 had finally opened with Ethan and Jamie as co-executive chefs, I’d worried it would be awkward working for Jamie. But during his first night as the solo chef in the kitchen, he’d treated me just like Ethan had. Ethan and Jamie stayed away from questions about my personal life, instead only offering advice about school or finances when they thought I needed it. I’d accepted their brotherly concern, and in return, I’d thought they would accept the decisions I made on my own.

At least I’d thought so until tonight when Trevor had walked in and asked me out to dinner. I’d survived six months on the streets before I’d ended up at Sharpe’s. Ethan’s insinuation that I wasn’t able to make good decisions had pissed me off. It was my decision who I went out with, no one else’s. And because of that, here I was, supposedly getting ready to go out to dinner with Trevor.

I sat on the floor and flung my backpack aside. The truth was, even though I was freaked-out about dinner, I didn’t want to cancel. I’d been awkward and quiet the last time we’d gone out and a part of me wanted to show him I wasn’t a social reject.

Steeling my resolve, I got up and took one last look in the bathroom mirror. I had no idea where we were going to dinner, but I was certain it wasn’t one of the hole-in-the-wall places I went to, where the daily specials were cheap and the refills on coffee and Coke were free. I’d dug through my closet, but my budget barely covered food and bills, let alone new clothes. In the end, I’d decided on the burgundy button-down Claire had given me last weekend as an early Christmas present and my best pair of jeans, which meant the only pair I owned that didn’t have a rip or hole.

Who was I kidding? It would be better for everyone if I just canceled now. I pulled out my cell phone to call Jamie for Trevor’s number, but then a knock sounded at the door.

For a split second I considered not answering, but I’d never been a coward, regardless of what my parents had said. I took one last look in the mirror and sent up a silent prayer that I’d make it through the evening without making a fool out of myself.

Trevor was poised to knock again when I opened the door. He’d changed clothes and it took everything in me to keep my mouth from gaping at him like an idiot. Earlier, he’d worn a simple light blue button-down and slacks. Tonight, he wore a tight black V-neck sweater that hugged his chest and abs perfectly and a pair of black jeans that looked like they were specially made for him.

“You ready to celebrate my mad skills as a manager?”

I cleared my throat. “Sure.”

If he noticed how nervous I was, he didn’t mention it. “Good, because I’m starving. I entertained the idea of ordering a few extra desserts to drop off at the restaurant on our way home as a peace offering. But then I remembered Ethan’s an asshole and that idea died a quick and painless death.”

I blurted out, “He can be an ass, but underneath it all, he’s a good guy. At least, he’s been good to me.” When he wasn’t acting like an overprotective douche.

Trevor nodded. “I agree. He has.” He paused, as if struggling with what he wanted to say. “He’s been good to Jamie, too. But tonight’s about having a nice time, which means no more discussion of Ethan’s charming personality.” He tilted his head toward the stairwell. “Ready to go?”

No?
Yes?
Maybe?

I locked the door behind me as I watched Trevor walk down the stairs. One glance at how well those black jeans fit made my dick stir. As I watched the tug and pull of the denim over the swell of his ass, I questioned my decision-making skills. But I followed him anyway, cursing cute guys in tight black jeans and the effect they had on the only part of my body that seemed to be working tonight.

* * *

Half an hour later, I found myself at Dizzy’s, trying to keep the shock off my face as I looked over the menu. The price of one appetizer was more than I spent on an entire meal on the rare occasion I ate somewhere other than Bistro 30 or at home.

“Good evening. My name is Crystal and I’ll be your server this evening. May I get you gentlemen something to drink? One of our local beers? Some wine? Something stronger, perhaps?”

I glanced up from the menu to see a beautiful brunette smiling at Trevor. Everything about her expression screamed she’d happily take Trevor’s number instead of his order. True to form, he flashed a brilliant smile at her. “I’ll take a scotch and water on the rocks.” He shifted his smile to me, making it almost impossible to focus on the menu.

“What do you want to drink, Tyler? Order whatever you want, the night’s on me.”

My mouth instantly went dry. I dropped my eyes back down to my menu, pretending to consider my beverage options as I felt the heat spread across my neck and cheeks.

“Um, I’ll just have a Coke.”

“A Coke? Are you sure? If you’re worried about either of us drinking too much, we’ll call a cab and I’ll have Jamie drive me over to pick up my car in the morning. Seriously, order whatever you want.”

I closed my eyes, willing myself to be anywhere but here. When I opened them, my stomach sank with the realization I wasn’t going to be able to get out of this easily. Without looking up at either Trevor or the server, I repeated, “I’m sure. I’ll just have a Coke.”

“Not even a glass of wine? Come on. Don’t make me celebrate alone.”

I took in a deep breath and steeled myself for the mortification that would inevitably follow as I lifted my eyes to meet Trevor’s. “My birthday’s not until June.”

His eyes narrowed in confusion, then widened as the realization of my age hit him. I’d grown up hard and fast while I was on the streets, but none of that mattered now. The only thing that did matter was he was easily ten years older, and now he knew I was practically jailbait.

Trevor tilted his head and the surprised expression faded.

“Scratch the scotch, Crystal, and make that two Cokes.”

“No problem, sir. Did you both need a moment to look over the menus some more?”

There was a pause. No doubt Trevor was waiting for me to answer. After a brief pause, he said, “Why don’t you give us a few more minutes to make our decision.”

“Of course. I’ll be right out with your drinks.”

The server walked away.

“It’s no big deal, ya know,” Trevor said casually.

I sighed and picked at the corner of the menu. “It is when you feel like the only kid sitting at the adult table.”

He looked at me like I was crazy. “Have you met Ethan? I’m pretty sure he’ll be stuck at the kids’ table for life.”

“You know what I mean.”

His smile softened as he leaned forward to rest his forearms on the table. “I do, but it really isn’t a big deal.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “That’s easy for you to say.”

“It’s the truth. So you can’t legally order a beer? Who the hell cares? Most times drinking leads to some stupid shit not even middle schoolers would do.” He shook his head and laughed. “Yeah, really stupid shit. But, my lips are sealed since Jamie has as many stories on me as I do on him. Now that I think about it, remind me to make Jamie swear an oath of silence about our first few years in New York.”

I quirked my eyebrow up and leaned forward, slowly relaxing for the first time since we’d entered the restaurant.

“Nope. I refuse to further incriminate myself on the basis that it will inevitably give Ethan more ammunition. Thanks, but no thanks.”

His eyes crinkled up as he continued to laugh, most likely remembering one of the stories he’d vowed to keep away from Ethan’s ears. The tension I’d felt in my neck and shoulders was slowly starting to ease.

Crystal finally brought our drinks and a basket of bread twists. I hadn’t eaten since this morning, and now that I had relaxed a little, my stomach rumbled in hunger.

“You ready to order?”

No. I pretended to look over the menu again, desperately wishing I wasn’t a nobody with nothing to his name except the twenty-dollar bill in my wallet. As if reading my thoughts, Trevor turned to look at our server and smiled.

“Tell me, Crystal, what’s your favorite thing on the menu? My best friend is a chef and he told me to always order what the server suggests.”

Crystal’s flirty smile made me uncomfortable as she laid on the charm with Trevor.

“Well, the special of the day is the pecan-crusted amberjack, but my personal favorite is the blackened trout with sautéed crab meat.”

Trevor asked about one of the other dishes. Crystal leaned over his shoulder with a seductive smile on her face, her cheek mere inches from his as she pointed out several different dishes. Did he know the effect he had on her? Was that the type he went for?

Trevor finally pointed at something and nodded, snapping the menu closed before handing it to her. “We’ll take two of those.”

I had no idea what he’d ordered and was too embarrassed to ask. What could I say? “
Sorry
,
could you tell me what you just ordered for us?
I
was too busy imagining you naked and wondering if you prefer guys or girls.
” Yeah, no. That was something better kept to myself, thank you very much.

Crystal flashed Trevor one last smile before she walked off. I picked up one of the bread twists to give myself time to come up with something to talk about now that we were alone, and instantly began coughing as the cayenne pepper hit my throat. I lunged for my water glass, guzzling it as fast as I could. Trevor laughed and pushed his water glass across the table toward me.

“That hot, huh?”

I eyed the breadsticks again and shook my head. “Trust me, I like spicy food. I just wasn’t expecting an explosion of cayenne to hit me all at once.”
Or my embarrassing reaction to it.
Oh
,
God.
Just kill me now.

Trevor picked up a breadstick and nibbled the end off. Even though I tried not to, I couldn’t help watching him while he took a bite.

“If you like spicy food, there are some kick-ass Thai restaurants here in Seattle. A guy I went out with a few times took me to this one over on Fifth I swear rivals some of the places I’ve eaten at in New York.”

Guy?
Score!
The revelation helped ease the tension I’d been feeling. Unable to stop myself, I found myself leaning my elbows on the table just to be closer to him.

“I’ve never been to New York—never been out of the Seattle area except to visit my mom’s family in Portland—but Jamie talks about it all the time. Even Ethan admits the food is good there.”

Crystal came back to fill up our water glasses, but Trevor didn’t even look up to acknowledge her. I shook my head, barely suppressing a smug grin when she left our table looking a bit dejected.

“You’d love New York. I mean, it can be crazy and it definitely isn’t for everyone, but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Did Jamie ever tell you about the time we almost got kicked out of a toy store? No? Let’s just say we got a little carried away.”

I couldn’t imagine my straitlaced boss almost getting kicked out of a toy store, and my stunned expression only made Trevor’s smile grow.

“Don’t believe all the stories you hear about your boss being the good little boy everyone thinks he is. He had his fair share of fun when we first got back to the States from Paris.”

I listened as Trevor launched into story after story about growing up in New York. Before I knew it, we had both finished our dinner and not once had the conversation lagged. Crystal returned to take our plates, hovering near Trevor’s chair as she listed our dessert choices. I was already full to the point of bursting and was about to tell her no thanks since the meal was already well on its way to triple digits, but Trevor had other plans.

“We’d like one white chocolate bread pudding. Oh, and a cup of your strongest coffee, please.”

Crystal must have seen this as her in since she leaned in closer and winked at Trevor. “Our chicory coffee is guaranteed to keep you up for hours. You got any plans later to fill up all that free time you’ll have once it kicks in?”

There was no reason for me to be feel threatened by Crystal’s attention to Trevor, but the knowledge that Trevor was available for someone, someone who could give him a lot more than I could, hit me harder than I’d expected it to.

Trevor looked at me. “Actually, we do. Tyler? You want a cup of coffee, too?”

Trevor’s mouth quirked up into a smirk. I wasn’t going to read too much into his comment, but I also wasn’t going to lie and say it didn’t make my stomach do a little flip.

“Um, no. No thanks.”

Trevor turned back to Crystal and smiled. “Just one coffee and the dessert, then. Thanks.”

Crystal straightened up and walked away, her smile replaced by a scowl. I was certain she was either cursing the universe for the injustice of all the cute ones being gay or she was running through the hour we’d been here, wondering where the hell she’d gone wrong with Trevor.

Once she was out of earshot, Trevor leaned back in his chair and laughed. “Well, that was interesting.”

Suddenly the lights dimmed and a group of musicians walked out on the small stage near the bar. Within minutes, all conversation slowly drifted away across the restaurant as soft, soulful jazz filled the room.

Trevor stood up and dragged his chair around to my side of the table. Sitting next to him like this, my body ached to get closer to him, but my mind came up with a million reasons why I shouldn’t. I barely noticed when Crystal brought our desserts, too focused on trying not to hyperventilate from Trevor’s body so close to mine. I had limited experience with this stuff, if you could call the “Oh God, I have no idea what I’m doing but this feels too good to stop” kissing and over-the-clothes groping with Keith in my bedroom right after graduation actual experience. Being with him had answered my question as to whether I was really gay or just curious, but it had also sealed my fate with my parents when they’d walked in on us kissing. Once I’d hit the streets, I’d been too scared to even talk to anyone, let alone get physical with them. Even though my body desperately wanted there to be more going on between Trevor and me, my head kept screaming this was just a dinner out with a friend to celebrate his new client.