Better than Sex (San Francisco Sex Gods #1)

Chapter 23

TWENTY-THREE

Spencer

“Earth to Spencer,” Xander said, waving his hand in front of Spencer’s face. “What’s going on, man? You’ve been quiet all morning.”

Spencer batted his roommate’s hand away. He was hungover and the motion was making him nauseous. It was bad enough that he had to deal with the background noise from the diner’s brunch crowd. The incessant clink of plates and silverware had his nerves on edge. “How can you be so perky?” He rubbed his eyes, dry and gritty from lack of sleep. “You went to bed after me.”

“It’s all endorphins, baby. Me and Cato spent a lot of quality time together once everyone else went home.”

“Cato?” Quinn asked with a hint of amusement. “Is he the hot guy who was checking Spencer out every chance he got?”

“He was checking both of us out,” Xander clarified, clearly miffed.

Spencer groaned and shook his head. He pressed his cheek against the window, which was refreshingly cool from the midmorning air, and kept watch for Mickey.

He’d laid awake most of the night, replaying their call and walking through every moment they’d spent together in his bedroom. From the thoughtful gift Mickey had given him, to their amazing kiss, to the tender way Mickey touched his body – everything had been going so well.

Until he’d pressed their erections together and Mickey flinched. Flinched and froze , like a spooked rabbit.

When Spencer pressed pause on their make out session, he thought for sure it was only temporary. Mickey wasn’t ready then, but Spencer had every expectation he would be after they’d spent more time together. And when Mickey was finally ready, he’d eagerly pick up where they’d left off.

But no. When they talked on the phone, Mickey made it clear he wanted to be friends. Can we move past this? The memory of those words left a gnawing ache in Spencer’s chest. Maybe Mickey decided he’d rather share his first time with someone he cared about. Someone who could be his boyfriend. Spencer could hardly blame him for changing his mind – he was far from boyfriend material.

His heart sank when his phone vibrated with a text notification from Mickey.

MICKEY

Something came up. I won’t make it to brunch today.

Spencer had hoped to talk things through after brunch. To let Mickey know that nothing had to change between them. He liked him, and he wanted him in his life. But apparently Mickey needed some space.

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn’t realize Blake had arrived until he was sliding into the booth next to Quinn.

“Sorry I’m late,” Blake said, lifting his cap and brushing his hair off his forehead. “Are Mick and Henry coming?”

“Henry is home working on a brief. He sends his love,” Quinn said.

Spencer held up his phone. “And Mickey just texted. He can’t make it.”

Blake knitted his brow. “Is he okay?”

Spencer shrugged. “Something came up.”

“Hey Blake?” Xander asked, reaching across the table and tugging on the cuff of Blake’s grey Henley. “Is this the same shirt you wore to the party last night?”

“Maybe.” Blake held Xander’s gaze, staring him down. “It’s laundry day.”

Xander snickered, but before he could taunt Blake about his walk of shame, Ethan stopped over to take their orders.

“Hi guys,” Ethan said, waving his pen at the empty spots in the booth. “Are the others joining you?”

“Just the four of us today,” Quinn said.

“Does everyone want to start with coffee?”

Everyone nodded, and Xander added, “We’ll also have a round of mimosas on me. A celebration is in order.”

Once Ethan left to get their drinks, Blake asked, “What are we celebrating?”

Xander threw his arm around Spencer’s shoulders and pulled him into his side. “Spencer finally finished his fuck-it list. With hours to spare. You cut it close there, dude.”

Spencer shook his head, but before he could get a word in, Blake blurted, “You found a virgin?”

“Yep,” Xander answered. “Mick’s a virgin. Was a virgin.”

Quinn frowned and hung his head. Blake’s eyes widened with glee. Words vomited out of him in an excited tumble. “Wait, Mick’s a virgin? You slept together? I didn’t even realize he was at your party.”

“That’s what happens when you show up two hours late,” Xander snapped.

“Ethan was finishing up his shift.”

“He could’ve come later. You should’ve been there.”

Spencer slapped his hand against the table and barked, “Cut it out!” To Blake, he said, “It’s fine that you and Ethan came later.” He then turned to Xander. “Mickey and I didn’t have sex.”

His three friends fell quiet, at a loss for words after Spencer’s outburst. Quinn was the first to break the silence.

“I saw him leave early. What happened?” He shot a frosty glance in Xander’s direction.

Xander’s mouth fell open. “It wasn’t because of me. I was on my best behavior last night.” When Quinn raised his eyebrows, Xander conceded. “Okay, my medium-best behavior.”

“It wasn’t because of Xander,” Spencer said. “I think Mickey was embarrassed. We made out a little, but he wasn’t ready to go any further.”

“You and Mickey made out?” Ethan asked. He was standing at the end of their booth, a coffee pot in one hand and a tray of mimosas in the other.

Spencer hid his head in his hands. “Oh for fuck’s sake.”

After passing out their drinks, Ethan asked, “Is everyone ready to order?”

Spencer opened his fingers just enough to peek through. “We’ll need a minute.”

“Take your time,” Ethan said. He tucked his order pad into his apron and moved onto the next booth.

Blake opened two jelly packets, one strawberry and one grape, and mixed the two together on his plate. He scooped the reddish-purple blob into his mouth and talked around the goo. “Mick needs a sex lesson.”

“Sex lessons are freely available, Blake,” Xander said. “It’s called Pornhub. Maybe he can find one of your videos.”

“ Shut up ,” Blake hissed, craning his neck and shooting a quick glance in Ethan’s direction.

“Blake has a good idea,” Quinn said.

Blake settled back into the booth. “I do?”

“Look, clearly Mick is nervous. He’s probably getting in his head. Worrying he won’t live up to your expectations.” Quinn lowered his menu and leveled his gaze at Spencer. “Have him over for drinks. Make it fun. Answer his questions, give him some tips and tricks. Then, next time you’re together, he’ll be ready for whatever happens.”

Spencer shook out his napkin and rested it in his lap. “I don’t think there’s going to be a next time for us.”

“Then the next time he’s with a man he’ll be ready,” Quinn said, an edge to his voice. “Look, you agreed to build him up and help him become a sex god. Just because things didn’t go the way you wanted doesn’t mean you get to wash your hands of him.”

“I wasn’t going to wash my hands of him,” Spencer snapped.

“Do you guys remember how messed up I was after Dylan broke up with me?” Blake asked. He opened another jelly packet and spooned what appeared to be orange marmalade into his mouth. “Well, the three of you…” His face contorted into a grimace, and he spit the jam into a napkin. He swiped the jelly packet off the table and squinted at the label. “What is this? Why is it chunky?”

“You were saying?” Spencer prompted gently, while Blake swished coffee in his mouth.

Blake swallowed and picked up his mimosa. “The three of you really helped me get my confidence back. I want that for Mick.” He raised his glass over the center of the table. “To sex lessons,” he cried, far more loudly than necessary. Half of the diner’s patrons glared at their table.

Chuckling, Xander lifted his glass and thrust it toward Blake’s. “Hear! Hear!”

“What the hell,” Spencer said. “To sex lessons.”

The four men enthusiastically clinked their glasses, sending droplets of orange juice splashing onto the table right as Ethan returned to take their orders.

Spencer wasn’t a huge fan of champagne, but he gulped his mimosa down while the other guys ordered. The champagne went straight to his head. Sex lessons. His shoulders shook as he tried to suppress his giggling. Now that he had a bit of a buzz, it didn’t sound like a bad idea at all. His original plan had been to teach Mickey about sex by doing it with him, but this could be fun. He was imagining a list of supplies he would need when Ethan interrupted his reverie.

“How ’bout for you, Spencer?”

He fumbled with his menu. “Oh, um, maybe the special?”

“Which one?” In response to Spencer’s confused expression, Ethan clarified. “We have three specials this morning.”

“The one with eggs?”

“The eggs Benedict with smoked salmon?”

Spencer recoiled. “Salmon? Who eats fish with eggs?” He shuddered involuntarily. “Can I get it with bacon instead?”

“So, just the regular eggs Benedict,” Ethan answered in a sarcastic tone.

“Yes, please.” Spencer handed his menu to Ethan with a wince.

Xander patted him on the shoulder. “Good job, Sparky.” Once Ethan had left to place their order, Xander turned the conversation to the week’s sexual exploits. “We already know Spencer’s story. Blake?” He nodded in Ethan’s direction. “Anything to share?”

Blake rearranged his silverware, studiously avoiding Xander’s gaze. “Pass.”

Xander tsk-tsked. “No fun.” He looked to Quinn and let out an exasperated sigh. “Quinn? Anything to share with the class that doesn’t involve documentaries or long, thoughtful conversations about world events?”

While Quinn regaled the group with the details of him and Henry making love by candlelight, Spencer pulled his phone into his lap and fired off a quick text to Mickey.

SPENCER

What are you up to next Sunday?

Mickey

Mickey had been dreading brunch all morning. Even though he and Spencer had worked things out on the phone after the party, it was still going to be awkward. He hadn’t recovered enough yet to face the pity he would see in Spencer’s eyes – pity for the poor little virgin who choked when faced with his first real chance to get laid.

He was relieved when Keith called, asking if he could come in earlier for his volunteer shift. Although he still could have gone to brunch beforehand, at least long enough to say hi to the guys, he texted Spencer at the last minute to cancel. It might have been a coward’s way out, but he needed more time to let the dust settle.

When Mickey opened the door to Underdogs, Logan raced ahead of him, waving to Sophie, whose hair was purple today. She came around the desk and crouched down to Logan’s height.

“Today’s the big day, huh?” she asked.

Logan bounced with excitement. “I’m going to meet a doggie!”

Mickey crossed his fingers on both hands and held them up so Sophie would see. It was a big day, indeed. Greg had given Mickey the go-ahead to adopt Pepper – on the condition that she and Logan were compatible.

When he called, Keith had mentioned Pepper was experiencing more anxiety than usual. Mickey almost rescheduled the meeting with Logan, but he and Keith decided they should proceed. Anxiety was something Pepper would be dealing with for a long time, maybe the rest of her life. If she was comfortable around Logan on one of her worst days, it was an excellent sign she’d accept him on her best days.

Keith peeked his head out of the office. “Hey, I was hoping it was you two. Ready to come back?”

Mickey nodded. While he fell into step beside Keith on the way to the meeting rooms, Logan lagged behind, jumping from floor tile to floor tile and carefully avoiding the lines between.

“Thanks for coming by early,” Keith said. “A couple of the new dogs we brought in yesterday are yappers, and Pepper is all keyed up from the noise. A visit from you will help her relax.”

Mickey looked back at Logan, who was balanced on one leg and windmilling his arms. “I hope so.”

Keith pointed out their visitation room before disappearing down the side hallway that led to the kennels.

“C’mon Logan, let’s get settled.” Mickey gave Logan’s hand a gentle tug. The boy stumbled forward a few steps and pulled his hand out of Mickey’s with a huff. He crossed his arms and thrust out his lower lip.

“You made me step on a line.”

“Sorry, buddy.” He hoisted Logan into his arms and balanced him on his hip. The young boy screwed his face into a frown. “Hmm.” Mickey tapped his chin. “What can I do to make it up to you? Do you want to pick out a toy for the doggie?”

His anger forgotten, Logan nodded enthusiastically.

Mickey carried him into the visitation room and set him down, careful to place him in the center of a tile. As soon as his feet touched the floor, Logan ran to the corner to explore the colorful dog toys piled there. “I thought you weren’t stepping on any lines?”

Logan squeezed a squeaky bone. “It’s only the lines in the hallway you can’t touch, Mickey,” he said with an authoritative tone that suggested his logic was unassailable.

Mickey laughed and strolled toward the familiar tattered armchair that was used by dogs as much as by the people who came to visit them. Above the chair was a framed print of a golden retriever, with a quote written in flowy white cursive: Dogs can speak to those who listen.

Logan’s excited voice rang out. “Doggie!” Mickey spun in time to see Logan running toward the door, his sneakers slapping the tiles, a toy squeaking in his outstretched hand. Pepper whined and cowered behind Keith’s leg, shaking like a leaf.

Logan slowed to a stop, letting his arm drop to his side. He turned to Mickey, his chin quivering. “She doesn’t like me.”

Dropping to one knee, Mickey ruffled Logan’s hair and pulled him into a hug. “She just doesn’t know you yet. Why don’t you have a seat in the chair near the dog toys while I say hi to her?”

Logan eyed the chair in the corner and melted, his shoulders collapsing forward and his chin dropping to his chest. The dog toy slid from his fingers and hit the floor with a tiny squeak.

“It’s just for a minute, buddy. Just until I get her settled,” Mickey assured him.

Logan trudged to the chair and climbed into it, folding his hands in his lap. He stared at the shy black dog with obvious longing.

“This is Pepper,” Mickey said. After fetching the crochet afghan from the back of the armchair and spreading it on the floor, he sat on the motley mix of mismatched granny squares and offered his open hand. Pepper cautiously approached him, casting skittish glances in Logan’s direction. When she finally reached Mickey, she licked his hand before nestling against him. “She’s anxious, so you have to be very gentle with her.”

“Why is she ank-sis?” Logan asked softly.

“Somebody hurt her, and she’s scared.” An image flashed through Mickey’s mind – the one and only time his father had raised his arm to backhand him. “ You little fuckin’ pansy ,” he’d slurred before swinging. Mickey had caught his father’s wrist before it could strike his cheek.

Pepper hadn’t been able to defend herself in the same way.

He scratched behind Pepper’s ears and was rewarded with a lick to his nose. “Keith, could you hand Logy a treat?”

Keith pulled a small bone-shaped biscuit out of his pocket. He beckoned to Logan, who slid off the chair and tentatively stepped forward to take the treat.

“Now, come a few steps closer,” Mickey said, holding up his hand to stop Logan when he was about a foot away. Pepper whined and pressed into Mickey’s side. “It’s okay, girl,” he said soothingly. “Logy, hold out the treat and let her come to you.”

Logan did as Mickey instructed, holding out his open hand with the treat resting in his palm. Slowly, Pepper inched forward, sniffing the air with interest. She nosed at Logan’s hand, tapping and backing off a few times before using her tongue to pull the treat into her mouth.

Logan giggled, startling Pepper. She backed up against Mickey and whimpered, only calming down when he murmured into her ear and hugged her against his body.

“Okay, Logy, very slowly hold your hand out to her.”

After stepping a little closer, Logan held his hand out to Pepper. “Hi, Pepper,” he said, his voice a tiny warble.

Pepper looked to Mickey before leaning forward to sniff at Logan’s hand. Perhaps because he still smelled like a dog treat, she lapped at his palm with tiny flicks of her tongue. Delighted, Logan bounced on his heels. “Can I pet her?”

“Gently,” Mickey said.

Logan stroked the top of her head, his little arm trembling from his effort to keep his touch light and gentle. Although she shrunk away from his touch initially, after a few seconds she pushed up into his hand, her tail wagging.

“Unbelievable,” Keith said in amazement. “I swear, man, you’re like the dog whisperer.” He fished another treat out of his pocket. “Do you want to give her one more treat, Logan? Then you can go out and play with the puppies. Sophie set up the puppy pen for you.”

Logan eagerly took the treat and held it out for Pepper, who took it without hesitation. “Good doggie,” Logan said, petting her head once more before Sophie appeared in the doorway to escort him to the puppy pen.

Once they were alone, Keith pulled the door closed and leaned against the frame. “That went well.”

“It did.”

Pepper walked in a circle a few times and curled up near Mickey’s feet, resting her chin on her paws and looking up at him with her wistful brown eyes.

Mickey rubbed behind her ears. “With the exception of her anxiety this morning, she’s getting better?”

“She has her setbacks now and then, but overall, she’s improving. She’s even started socializing with the other dogs. You said Greg is okay with the adoption?”

“He is, if she and Logan get along.”

“They seemed to hit it off.”

Mickey nodded. “I’d like to bring him by a couple more times, just to be sure.”

“That’s a good idea. If today is any indication, though, she’s going to be fine.”

Mickey lay on the floor and Pepper fit herself against his side. He ran his hand along her flank in long, soothing strokes.

“Mickey, she belongs with you.” Keith flicked off the light, leaving the room softly lit by the sunlight streaming in through the small window by the armchair. “Let me know if you need anything,” he said, letting himself out and closing the door.

“You’re okay, girl,” Mickey murmured to Pepper. “You’re safe.” The steady rise and fall of her flank let him know she’d fallen asleep. His own eyelids felt heavy, and he’d nearly dozed off when his phone vibrated, startling Pepper awake.

She whined, her gaze darting around the room until she found Mickey. With her tail wagging and thwapping against his thigh, she licked his cheek and wriggled until she was facing him.

Mickey reached for the toy bone Logan had dropped. “Here, want to play with this while I check my texts?” He squeezed the bone to make it squeak, which thrilled Pepper. She carefully took it in her teeth and grabbed it with her paws to hold it steady.

While Pepper gnawed on the toy bone, Mickey slid his phone out of his pocket and checked his text.

SPENCER

What are you up to next Sunday?

Mickey chose to interpret that as a good sign. If Spencer was interested in making plans with him, he couldn’t be too upset about him canceling on brunch at the last minute.

MICKEY

No plans yet. What’s up?

SPENCER

Do you want to come over for drinks Sunday night? 8 o’clock?

MICKEY

Sure. Should I bring anything?

SPENCER

Just yourself. I have a surprise planned.

Mickey tapped his phone with his thumbs. A surprise? Maybe something to do with his sex god lessons? Were they even doing that anymore? He hadn’t clarified with Spencer what the terms of their friendship would be moving forward. It’s possible the offer to make him a sex god was off the table after their failed make out session.

MICKEY

Can I have a hint?

SPENCER

Nope. You have to wait and see.

Spencer followed that up with a wink emoji. Mickey smiled. What’s Spencer up to? Drinks and a secret surprise sounded almost…flirty? Was this just a friend thing?

He chastised himself for getting carried away. Of course they were just friends. He’d had his chance at something more, and he blew it.

(But Spencer sent a wink emoji…)

Mickey huffed in confusion. He tossed his phone to the side. Pepper was watching him, content and happily chewing on a squeaky bone.

He scratched behind her ears. “Why can’t people be as easy as dogs?”