“That’s highly unlikely, but you’ll be the first person I call if I suddenly decide I’m curious.”
“I think you already are curious.”
“Yeah, right,” Levi groaned sarcastically.
Wade narrowed his eyes. “Something tells me you ain’t afraid to try new things, and probably have already.”
Levi itched with anxiety. Had Wade heard something? That seemed highly unlikely considering how careful Levi was to be discreet. “If you’ve heard any rumours about me, Wade, I can assure you they are full of shit.”
“Oh, nar, bro. Nothing like that. The only rumours I’ve ever heard about you are that you dig your pussy, love spending money and that…”
“And that?”
Wade’s eyes burned in on Levi’s crotch. “That you have a little cock.”
“That’s just a bullshit rumour my ex and Lucas Maxwell started,” Levi said angrily.
“I wouldn’t care even if you did have a small dick. There’s more to a guy than just his cock,” Wade said honestly. “Seriously, bro, if I was lucky enough to have a night with you, I’d be loving every inch of your body. A boy as beautiful and sexy as you deserves to be licked from head to toe.”
Levi tried not to laugh. “That’s a very kind offer, Wade, but I think I’ll pass.”
“Your loss, bro.”
“I’m sure it is.”
“Still give me a call though. I’d be keen to hang out sometime even if it is just as mates.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, bro. You’re a cool sort.” Wade lowered his face and coughed into his hand then returned his gaze to Levi’s. “Plus, I’d love to see inside that mansion you live in.”
Levi was used to people wanting to be his friend just to get an invite to his home. The Candy residence was one of the town’s most prestigious homes. It was a grand old building that had originally been the local nurses’ hostel, which helped explain its large size and huge grounds. Mark’s father had purchased the derelict building in the nineties, rescuing it from demolition before renovating it to the dream home it was today. When Mark’s parents decided to retire and downsize twelve years ago, they gifted it to Mark and his first wife, adamant the grand home stay with the family.
“It’s hardly a mansion,” Levi said, downplaying its grandeur.
“Trust me, bro. It’s a mansion to me.”
“True.” Levi nodded, tapping his foot. “Right, well I better go. Nice seeing you.”
“You too, bro.” Wade gave him a hearty smile. “And remember. Give me a call.”
“Will do.” Levi quickly turned on his heels and made his way towards the bottle store, knowing there was no way in hell he’d be giving Wade Benson a call.
Once he had finished buying three bottles of whisky and two bottles of coke, Levi made his way back to Josh’s car by going the long way around the block to avoid bumping into Wade again. As he walked along the street, bottles clanging in the bag, Levi got a shock to see some girl with long bronzed legs leaning inside the passenger side window chatting to Josh.
It wasn’t until he got closer that he realised who it was. Jessica. Levi’s stomach knotted. He did not want Josh’s ex anywhere near them. Not now. Not when he was so fucking close to having Josh all to himself.
Jessica pulled her head out of the window and turned to give Levi a friendly wave. “Hi, Levi.” Her eyes darted to the bags Levi was carrying. “Looks like you have the night well and truly sorted.”
“Ha. Yeah. It’s best to be prepared,” Levi answered, coming to a stop beside Josh’s ex-girlfriend. He flicked Josh a subtle frown, subliminally asking his friend what was going on.
“Jessica was just on a break from work and was walking past, and stopped to wish me a happy birthday.”
“I didn’t know you worked weekends,” Levi said, referring to Jessica’s job as a legal secretary.
“I don’t normally, but Mum called me this morning and begged me to come cover a shift at her café.” Jessica pointed to the baggy purple t-shirt she had on. “I don’t walk around town wearing this ghastly thing because I want to.”
Levi saw on the front of her t-shirt the name of her mother’s café Bonnie’s Diner.
“I loathe missing out on a day off,” Jessica continued, “but Mum has promised me she doesn’t need my help tomorrow. Thank god.”
“That’s good,” Josh said.
Just fuck off Jessica, Levi thought to himself.
As if Jessica had heard his wish, she sighed loudly and declared, “I better get back before Mum sends out a search party.” She gave Josh a flirty glance. “Who knows… maybe I’ll see you boys later.” On those cryptic words she turned and walked away.
“I thought I told you not to go overboard,” Josh said, craning his neck around to watch Levi put the bottles in the back of the car.
“It’s not that much.”
“I think you’ll find that it is.”
“Aren’t I allowed to treat my best mate for his birthday?” Levi raised his eyebrows and smiled expansively. He shut the back door and then went and jumped in the passenger’s seat.
“I feel stink though. I’ll never be able to pay you back for all of that.”
“I don’t expect you to,” Levi replied, fiddling with the clip of his seatbelt until it clicked into place.
“I think you’re spoiling me way too much, man.”
“If I want to spoil you then I will spoil you, so shut the fuck up already.” Levi crossed his eyes and gave his pal a silly grin.
Josh pretended to zip his lips shut. “Okay. I’m shutting the fuck up before angry Levi comes out to play and gives me a good spanking.”
“That’d probably just get a kinkster like you off,” Levi teased.
“Nar, man. None of that fifty shades of grey shit for me thanks.”
A part of Levi wanted to quiz Josh more about his sexual tastes, but a more burning issue chewed his brain. “What did Jessica mean by she might see us later?”
“I told her that you and I were going up to Dad’s for the night so we can go fishing tomorrow and I said that if she didn’t have anything planned tonight then she should come out and join us.”
“Why would you want to hang out with someone you’ve only just dumped? Isn’t the whole point of breaking up with someone is so you don’t have to spend time with them?”
“I did say to her when we stopped dating that I was keen to still be friends.”
“Yeah, right,” Levi scoffed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re talking shit.”
“No. I did tell her that when we split.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t mean it. The only reason you have invited her out is so you can get laid. And don’t tell me I’m wrong.”
Josh opened his mouth but nothing came out.
“See. I am right,” Levi said. “You’re thinking with the little fella.”
“I can assure you that I am not,” Josh said indignantly. “And even if I was—which I’m not—why would it be such a big deal?
Levi could hardly say the truth, that Josh’s impromptu invite to Jessica threatened to jeopardise his own horny plans. “Well, if Jessica turns up then you two are just going to get back together again and piss off to do what it is that couples do, and then I’ll be left to sit and drink with your dad, and trust me, I would rather swallow razor blades.”
Josh laughed. “Look, I know you and Dad don’t get on that well, so I promise not to ditch you with him.”
“You better not.”
Josh smiled at him with familiar affection. “I promise I won’t, okay?”
“Okay.”