Page 9 of Sinful Nights
“Oh, hush,” Bash scolds, standing up and tapping my knee playfully. “Come here and let me see what I can do.”
I slowly get up, following him. “You don’t have to help me. I’m sure I can figure it out.”
“Don’t even start, Cole. I love doing makeup. Hell, I’ve thought about going to cosmetology school, so consider this a small way to help me work toward that goal.”
Out of all the guys here at Peaches, I’m the closest to Bash for sure. He’s the one person here with whom I can be myself completely. I never feel as though I have to act a certain way or watch what I say. I think it’s because Bash is so much himself that it rubs off on me. And the fact that he cares for everyone around him. He’s always making sure that people are having fun, and when someone seems to be in their head or upset, he’s right next to them, cheering them up and putting a smile on their face.
“Okay, let’s try this brownish-pink eyeshadow and see how that works against your eyes. Oh! We’ll definitely add a highlighter to your cheeks, too. Your cheekbones are fucking spectacular, and you need to show those off more.” His hands move all around the table, picking up different containers of makeup. I have no idea what he’s grabbing, but I trust him to know what he’s doing.
“Highlighter?” I ask, bewildered. It’s as though he’s speaking an unfamiliar language to me. “I know what eyeshadow is, but I’ve never heard of a highlighter.”
“It’s like contouring, kind of. But it goes on your cheeks and will make them all pretty and shiny, and it’ll make the sweat look sexy instead of well, sweaty.” He gestures to his face, then mine which has a sheen of sweat. “Just trust me, Cole. I know what I’m doing.” Bash hums along as his body sways to the beat of the music playing in the room. It’s just the two of us in here, so I let him have his way, and I wait patiently to see what he comes up with. “Have you ever thought about plucking your eyebrows? Not to shape them, just make them neater.”
I open one eye, raising my eyebrow. “No. And don’t get any ideas.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll leave them alone.” It’s a few more minutes of Bash humming while his gentle fingers trace over my face, putting way more makeup on my face than I’m used to. “Can I ask you a question? And you can completely tell me to shut up if you want,” he finally says, breaking the silence.
“You can ask me anything,” I answer honestly. I’m not really the type of person to hide things. If there’s something he wants to know, I’ll more than likely answer him.
“I know you’ve said you and Oak aren’t dating, but have you ever gotten together?”
“What?” I sputter, staring at Bash in the mirror. “No, why?”
“I don’t know. You both just seem to be very close. Just wondered if you had ever gotten together or anything.”
“Nope,” I tell him, sweat prickling the back of my neck. “Not once. He’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember.”
“He’s hot as fuck.”
We both laugh, Bash changing the subject as Tristan walks into the room. Tristan and Bash talk about some goat yoga class they’re taking in the morning, and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I’ll never understand people’s obsession with my friendship with Oak. It doesn’t matter where we go or who we’re around; everyone either seems to think we’re together or they’re shocked when we say we’re just best friends. Sometimes I feel as though I upset them when I say we’re not dating, which is crazy as hell, right? But it is what it is.
“Earth to Cole?” Tristan’s hand appears in front of my face before he leans forward, his face getting way too close. “Your makeup looks fucking amazing. Gah, I love when Bash does my makeup. No one is as good as he is. But anyway, I’m getting off topic. Do you want to come with us tomorrow?”
“For goat yoga?”
“Hell yeah, goat yoga. It’s amazing and relaxing and a little bit disgusting, but that’s okay because we’ll be doing it together.”
I’m nodding my head before the words leave my mouth. “Okay, let’s do it. I’ll try something new at least once.”
“Hell yeah, that’s my boy.”
“Who’s your boy?” Declan asks, walking into the room with Caleb behind him. Fuck, I love seeing Declan in his corsets. He’s the only one at Peaches who wears them, and holy shit, there’s a reason no one else ever tries to copy him. Between that and the bright blue hair he’s always sporting, he’s truly one of a kind.
“Cole,” Tristan says, smiling at both of them. “I convinced Cole to try goat yoga with me tomorrow.”
“Ew.” Declan wrinkles his nose, looking over at Caleb. “That sounds like something you would do.”
“What about me screams ‘goat yoga’?” Caleb questions, his hand coming up to rub his forehead. I get it; if I were constantly around Declan’s antics, I might be getting headaches, too.
“Holy shit, Cole, you’re gorgeous,” Declan gushes when he looks straight at me.
Caleb whips around quickly, his eyes darting between Declan and me before adding, “The makeup is a pleasant touch. You look good, Cole.”
“Thanks,” I preen, smiling at them both. “Let’s hope it’ll earn me some more tips tonight.”
“I was coming in to give everyone the new schedule for next week,” Caleb drops the schedule, escaping the room as quickly as he appeared.
Bash’s eyes follow Caleb as he leaves the room. “Why does it seem like we are always chasing him out?”
