Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
HUNTER
LOCK IT UP TIGHT
We had a moment.
Ollie, my best friend, looked like he wanted to kiss me. His eyes were glowing. Want swirled in his brown irises.
I know what that feeling looks like. What it feels like.
Because I was feeling it too.
I wanted nothing more than for Ollie to kiss me, but it didn’t happen.
Now, we’re sitting across from each other in a crowded bar playing Bingo.
Every now and then, his eyes flit over to me. I know because I’ve been watching him all night.
I couldn’t give a shit about how obvious I’m being.
Because right now, all I want to do is kiss him. Haul him into my lap and taste him. Feel his tongue against mine and wait for the sounds that come from him as I deepen the kiss.
I haven’t had this feeling in a long time. Not since I had my heart broken. I swore off love. So why am I feeling these things with Ollie?
Fuck.
I adjust myself, trying not to draw attention to myself. These are definitely not thoughts I need to be having in a crowded bar.
“You okay?” Griffin elbows me in the side.
“Fine, why?”
“You seem preoccupied.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
He nods at my empty game cards. “Then why don’t you have a single chip down?”
Shit. He’s right.
Plastic chips sit in a messy pile next to my cards.
“I don’t care if my drinks are free tonight. I can buy my own.”
The lie spills from my tongue a little too easily.
“Right.” Griffin sips his beer. “Wouldn’t have to do with anyone else?”
I sputter over my own drink. “What?”
“B-Seven!” Charlie calls out.
Every table is full tonight, making it harder to hear the numbers. People groan and cheer as he keeps the ball cage moving.
Griffin’s gaze moves to Ollie before turning back to me. “You two seem different tonight.”
“Why? Because we’re not sitting next to each other?”
“And because you won’t look at one another.” That comment is more on par with what’s going on. “Did something happen?”
“Nothing’s happened.”
Not a lie. But I wanted it to happen. And I think that’s part of the problem.
“O-Sixty-Nine!”
Snickers and giggles are heard throughout the bar.
“Real mature, guys. C’mon,” Charlie goads.
“Bingo!” Theo yells next to us.
“What? No way!”
“It’s too early.”
“You can’t have it.”
“Suck it. I won, losers!” Theo calls out, taking his board up to Charlie to confirm.
“You’re a dick, Theo.”
He blows a kiss in the direction of whoever said it. “No, but I do like it.”
“He is too much sometimes.” Griffin shakes his head.
“You got that right.”
“I got us all another round.” Theo comes back with four drinks in hand. With Charlie manning the Bingo cage, Brooks is helping out behind the bar. “Scooch over.”
Sliding across the leather seat of the booth, I’m squished right up against Ollie. Not where I wanted to be, but I don’t hate it either.
Because the press of his thigh against mine feels really fucking good.
“Sorry,” I whisper as the game starts again.
“It’s fine.”
He shifts next to me and it does nothing to help the buzzy, floating feeling inside of me.
Who knew the softest touch from my best friend could feel so good?
At least since the guys know this isn’t real, we don’t have to put on a show. To anyone on the outside looking in, it would look like any other night with our friends.
Which is how I need it to be tonight.
“N-Thirty-one,” Charlie calls out.
“How can I be bad at Bingo?” Ollie grumbles next to me, looking over his cards.
“All luck, Ol.” I peek over at his cards, and only a few numbers are covered. “I’m not doing much better.”
“Because you’re not paying attention,” Griffin chirps.
He only grins back as I glare at him.
“Maybe if Charlie slowed down, we could get the numbers,” Ollie says, squinting at his card.
“Here.” I pull open my phone and turn on the flashlight for him.
“That’s so much better.”
“It’s what I’m here for.”
Ollie turns to smile at me, looking way happier than anyone should playing Bingo. I want to puff out my chest and beat it like a caveman for doing this small thing for him.
Fuck.
When did I become like this?
Someone who wants to make someone else happy? No, not someone else.
Ollie.
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I was happy. I am happy.
My life is good. I shouldn’t be worrying about this.
“B-Two,” Charlie says into the mic.
“Oh! Bingo! I have Bingo!” Ollie shouts, raising his hand in the air. “I did it.”
He leans over and wraps me in a hug.
One that I like a little too much.
“Way to go, Ollie!” Brooks says, coming over with a round of shots for everyone.
“Oh, I don’t think I can drink that before driving home.”
“I’ll drink it.” I smile at him and take both shots.
“That means I’m cashing in on my freebie next time,” Ollie says around a yawn. “I want a beer and not shots.”
Brooks winks at him. “You got it.”
“You ready to get out of here?” I ask him, resting my hand on his shoulder.
His gaze tracks the move. “Yes, please.”
“C’mon then.”
We wave goodbye to the guys as another round starts, dodging between the tables as we leave.
“Thanks for the excuse to get out of there,” Ollie says.
“Anytime. I have an early morning to get ready for tomorrow, so figured it was as good of a time as any.” I open Ollie’s car door. “I’m going to grab a ride share home.”
“What? Why? I can drive you.”
I shake my head. “It’s the opposite direction for you. Go home and get some rest and I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“I’ll be there. I might need to get toe warmers for my boots if it’s going to snow.”
A chuckle escapes my lips. “You’ll be fine. I promise.”
“As long as you keep me warm,” Ollie says.
I don’t think he realizes what he said, but damn, if I don’t want that. To pull him into my arms and let my warmth seep into him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Hunter.”
I stand outside until his brake lights fade into the night.
Shit. I really need to get these feelings under control. I don’t have time for a relationship right now. I’m too busy at the farm. Ollie deserves someone who will put him first.
Staying busy tomorrow will help. That and a good night’s sleep.
I’ve got this. I can lock up my feelings for my best friend.
Easy, right?