04

𝓣𝓲𝓶

I froze the moment I felt someone sit down beside me.

The chair scraped softly against the floor, close enough that our arms almost touched. I didn’t need to look. I already knew who it was. My body reacted before my mind did, every nerve going tight at once. I kept my eyes on my coffee like it suddenly required my full attention.

Eric didn’t seem to notice anything strange. He was mid-sentence, talking about something related to work, his tone casual, relaxed. Laura smiled along, her hand resting on his arm.

Then the man spoke, his voice a baritone that sent the memories of last night to my mind.

“Morning.”

His voice was calm, polite, and completely unfamiliar in tone, like we had never met before.

I slowly lifted my eyes.

Frank was sitting there like he belonged, dressed casually, his expression neutral. No trace of what had happened between us. No hint that he had been in my bed only hours ago. If I hadn’t known better, I would have believed him to be a stranger.

Eric turned, surprised. “Oh. You’re here already?”

Frank nodded. “Came down early.”

Eric gestured between us. “You two haven’t met yet, right?”

My heart started pounding.

“Frank,” Eric said, “this is Tim. My best friend, we usually hang out together.”

Frank turned to me fully for the first time, his gaze steady, unreadable.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, holding out his hand.

For a second, I couldn’t move.

My brain screamed at me not to touch him. My body felt stiff, heavy. But Eric was watching, and Laura was smiling expectantly. I forced myself to act normal.

I shook Frank’s hand.

“Nice to meet you too,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t betray me.

His grip was firm and warm. His thumb brushed lightly against my skin before he let go, slow enough that I knew it wasn’t an accident.

I pulled my hand back quickly.

Eric smiled, satisfied. “Frank’s my younger brother. I told you about him.”

“Yes,” I said automatically. “You did.”

Frank raised his head slightly. “You did?”

Eric laughed. “Yeah. A long time ago.”

Frank smiled faintly, then turned his attention to the menu like that was the end of it. Just like that, he erased everything between us. The ease of it made my stomach twist.

Breakfast was ordered. Plates were set down. The smell of food filled the air, but I barely noticed. I sat stiffly, hyper-aware of every small movement.

I felt Frank’s knee brushed against mine under the table, I inhaled sharply and nearly knocked over my cup.

“You okay?” Eric asked.

“Yes,” I said quickly. “Just tired.”

Frank shifted again, his leg pressing more firmly against mine this time. I clenched my jaw, keeping my face neutral. My heart was racing so fast I was sure it would give me away.

“Relax. You look guilty.” He leaned closer, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I didn’t respond. I couldn't, it felt like If I opened my mouth, the truth of our last night escapades would slip out.

His foot brushed against my ankle. Slow and intentional, I dug my nails into my palm beneath the table.

This was insane.

We were sitting at breakfast with Eric and Laura, and Frank was acting like this was some kind of game. I shot him a warning look, but he only looked amused.

Eric was talking again, something about high school. “Did you hear about Mark Thompson?”

Laura shook her head. “What about him?”

“He’s sick,” Eric said. “Apparently he has HIV.”

I stiffened.

Eric continued, unaware. “Someone from our class ran into him. Said he let himself go completely. You know, drugs, random hookups. He became gay after high school too. I guess that explains it.”

The words caught my attention.

“How could anyone like the same sex?” Laura frowned slightly, then laughed under her breath.

I felt my chest tighten, my appetite vanished completely. I stared down at my plate, my hands trembling slightly under the table. Before I could say anything, Frank spoke.

“That’s a stupid thing to say.”

Laura looked at him, surprised. “Excuse me?”

“Liking someone of the same sex doesn’t make someone disgusting,” Frank said calmly. “And HIV doesn’t work the way you’re implying.”

Eric blinked. “Frank…”

“I’m just saying,” Frank continued, his tone even, “being gay doesn’t make someone reckless or dirty. Straight people get HIV too.”

The table went quiet.

“Why are you so defensive?” Laura’s smile tightened.

Frank shrugged. “I don’t like ignorance.”

Eric frowned, clearly uncomfortable. “Frank, you don’t need to start an argument.”

Laura crossed her arms and turned to me.

“Tim,” she said, her voice sweet but sharp underneath. “You must think being gay is disgusting too, right?”

My heart dropped as their eyes turned to me. I felt trapped. My throat closed up, panic flooding my chest. I couldn’t lie convincingly and I couldn’t tell the truth either without complicating myself. I opened my mouth, then closed it again.

“Don’t drag me into your debates,” I said quickly. “This isn’t appropriate breakfast talk.”

Frank looked at me with clear interest now, his eyes sharp and focused, like I was a science fair project he needed to study.

Eric laughed awkwardly. “Okay, okay. Let’s change the subject.”

Laura huffed but didn’t argue further. The room fell into this uncomfortable situation with Laura shooting daggers at Frank but he leaned back in his chair, satisfied, like he had gotten exactly what he wanted.

Not long after, he stood up.

“I have things to do,” he said casually. “Nice meeting you, Tim.”

I looked up, caught off guard.

“Yeah,” I said. “Nice meeting you too.”

His lips curved slightly, just enough for me to see it.

Eric nodded. “We’ll talk later.”

Frank left without another word.

Breakfast felt slow and heavy. Eric and Laura sat close, laughing and whispering like no one else was there. Laura pressed herself against him, kissed his cheek slowly, and held his hand like she wanted everyone to see.

By everyone, I mean me.

She laughed a little louder, leaned in a little closer, and I could feel every move like it was meant to hurt me. She was showing off, and I couldn’t look away even though it made my chest ache.

A message popped into my phone, I picked it up and frowned when I realized who had just texted me.

‘I know you wouldn’t contact me first, so yesterday I memorized your phone number and even saved my own number in your phone.’

My heart jumped. I quickly locked my phone, hoping no one noticed. Laura laughed loudly at something Eric said and kissed him again. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I need some air,” I said, standing up. “I’ll be back later.”

Eric nodded. “Text me.”

“I will.”

I left quickly, my chest tight, my mind spinning. Frank was leaning against a black motorcycle parked nearby the moment I stepped out, one leg bent, helmet resting against his thigh. He looked completely relaxed, like he had been waiting the whole time.

He straightened when he saw me. Without saying a word, he lifted the helmet and tossed it toward me.

I barely caught it.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go.”