Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
AFTER
By the time Atty got back from his trip, I’d already figured out that all you needed to be a member of the club was to pay for it. Easier than it should’ve been—but a week later, Holly and I were walking in, way too excited.
Things between Atty and me still felt like walking on eggshells, but I asked if I could come see him at work, and he said it was fine.
That same day, they roped him into coaching beach volleyball at the club’s summer camp, so we headed straight to the beach, spotting the nets as we wove through a horde of teenage girls.
“Jesus. Why the Miss Puberty Awards? Is there a tournament or something?” Holly muttered, sidestepping a cluster of giggling girls.
I stopped dead at the sight of him, a surprised laugh slipping out. “Or something.”
No wonder he was drawing a crowd.
Atty stood on the far side of the pool, hands on his hips, scowl firmly in place.
Shirtless. Sunglasses on. He looked like a fucking wet dream if I’d ever seen one.
His dirty-blond hair was pushed back from his forehead, still damp from the pool, and his body gleamed like he’d been dipped in oil.
I knew that wasn’t it—probably just sweat and sunblock—but fuck, he looked like a god, all shimmering and shit.
“It will never stop being unfair.” Holly let out a long-suffering sigh.
I laughed and shoved her shoulder. “Quit ogling him.”
“Why? That’s what the rest of the world is doing.” She nodded toward a group of girls passing by, all giggles and heart-eyes for my boyfriend. Well—maybe not exactly my boyfriend. Not right now.
“Doesn’t this bother you?” she asked.
We made our way to the only empty sun chairs by the pool.
“Atty doesn’t give two flying fucks about it, so why should I?”
“That’s oddly mature of you.” She tugged off her shirt, settling in.
“Well, I am a changed man.”
Across the pool, his eyes met mine, and his lips twitched, just barely.
“Besides, he’s only smiling at me.”
“That part’s true. You couldn’t pay that man enough to snap out of the trance you’ve got him in.
” Her voice was teasing, but the soft, gooey look in her eyes said it all.
It was the same one she always got when I mentioned Atty.
The one that came back full force after I told her we were giving it another shot.
“Aren’t you going to go say hi?”
Atty was mid-conversation with two guys in matching uniforms. I wanted to go over.
God, I wanted to. But I was trying to give him space.
Not just assume he’d told everyone about us.
The idea of hiding made my stomach twist, but he was allowed to ask for time.
Hell, Atty was allowed to ask for the sun, and I’d still find a way to give it to him.
“When he’s not busy,” I said, brushing it off.
Holly started slathering on sunblock while I kept my eyes on him.
A million years could pass, and I’d never get tired of looking at his face.
Atticus King was the most handsome man I’d ever seen.
I didn’t even know if it was his looks or if I was just so far gone in love with him that I couldn’t see anyone else.
He was all sharp edges and cold stares—but get close enough, and the ice melted.
They were setting up a practice game, sorting the girls into teams. Atty tried giving a couple of them instructions, but they couldn’t stop smiling at him. His jaw tightened. I chuckled, watching him grow more annoyed by the second, clearly trying to keep himself in check.
When our eyes met again, I shot him a grin. He answered with a small headshake, like he was silently telling me he was struggling.
Once the game started, he turned his focus to it, and I shifted my attention to Holly—doing my best to ignore the sinking feeling of him not coming over.
This is work, Noah. He’s working. His existence doesn’t revolve around you.
I stood abruptly. “I’m gonna grab a soda. Want anything?”
“Sure. But I’m pretty sure we could flag someone down.” She gestured at a nearby server.
“That’s fine. I’ll go. Wine?”
“White!” she called as I headed for the bar.
I sat on one of the stools and waited for a bartender, drawing a deep breath as I smothered the clinginess creeping in. Atty wanted me here. He could’ve said no if he didn’t.
Could he?
I shut my eyes and pushed the thought away.
Ezra Tate appeared behind the bar with a tight smile. “What can I get for you?”
Fucking fantastic.
“Hey, man. Didn’t know you were working here too.” I reached across the counter, offering my hand. After a beat, he took it.
“Yeah, every summer. This is my last one, though.” He flattened his palms on the bar, eyes steady behind his glasses.
Yup. Still hated my guts.
“That’s great.”
The silence that followed stretched unbearably.
“Look, I—” I started just as he said, “Here’s the thing—”
I let out an awkward chuckle. “Go on.”
Ezra sighed. “I’m trying to be okay with your Noahness.”
That caught me off guard, but I rolled with it. “Okay…”
“You know I love Att. I’d do anything for him, including staging a disappearance and hiding a body. So don’t fuck up again, and we’re good,” he said, calm and matter-of-fact.
“I won’t.”
He stared me down a second longer, then gave a brisk nod and shrugged. “Fine. What can I get you?”
We’d already had this conversation. I’d apologized for the birthday fight and everything that followed, but it still didn’t feel like enough.
I still didn’t feel like enough. And I had no clue how to fix that.
I was used to being disliked—an expert at navigating it, honestly—but Ezra was one of Atty’s best friends.
“For what it’s worth, I’m trying to tone down the Noahness too.”
His lips twitched. “So?”
“Glass of white and a seltzer with lime, please.”
“Righty-roo.” He turned to make the drinks.
I exhaled and ran a hand through my hair.
Ezra placed the glasses in front of me along with a slip to sign. Easy enough.
“Do you drink?”
Spoke too soon.
“Nah, not really.”
“What does not really mean?”
“It means I’ll have a beer occasionally. I cap it at two, but usually I avoid it altogether.”
Ezra nodded slowly, still sizing me up. “I thought addicts drew stricter lines.”
A little jab. I knew what I was—I wasn’t in denial—but hearing it from him hit different. That was the point. Ezra didn’t want me to forget.
You’re in luck, buddy. I already beat myself up daily for those fuckups.
“Alcohol’s always been a choice for me. Not one of the bad ones. And I mean that in terms of quitting. But I know what it can turn into, so I avoid it. Just in case.”
After a pause, he nodded again. “Okay then.” That same tight smile stayed on his face.
“Did I pass the test?” I asked before I could think better of it.
Ezra let out a surprised laugh. “Sure. We’ll call it a pass.”
“Enough awkwardness for one day?”
“Well…” He trailed off, reaching under the bar and placing something in front of me—the tip jar. “What’s the verdict, Rossi? How much is my service worth to ya?”
I laughed, nerves fraying a little. He grinned, clearly pleased with my discomfort.
This motherfucker was ballsy. I’d give him that.
Then a warm hand pressed on the small of my back, sending goosebumps racing over my skin. I didn’t need to look—I already knew who it was.
“Hey. What are you up to?” Atty’s voice was low as his eyes landed on Ezra, widening just slightly.
“I’m playing nice,” Ezra said, almost defensive.
Atty looked back at me.
“Ish,” I said, grinning at Ezra’s scoff.
My gaze dropped. He still hadn’t put his shirt back on.
He could’ve been a sculpture—muscle after muscle etched beneath golden skin, tapering down to that ridiculously sharp V leading to his groin.
Was I drooling?
“We’re between sets, actually,” Atty explained, snapping my attention—and my eyes—back to his face.
“What?”
“Between sets. Just wanted to say hi. Can’t stay long.”
His hand was still resting on me, but then, almost as an afterthought, he pulled it back and set both at his hips.
My lips twitched, ready to frown. I ordered them not to. “So, you have to go back?”
Ezra sighed beside us and walked away.
I sat up straighter. “Not that that’s not perfectly fine—Ezra was just keeping me company,” I added quickly.
Atty tilted his head, brow faintly furrowed. “Okay. Then I’ll go back. I’ll see you as soon as it’s done.”
Nope. You’re not disappointed, Noah. This is normal. Boundaries. We’re learning boundaries, remember?
“Cool. See you in a bit.”
His pale eyes searched my face, and I forced my expression to stay neutral.
He stepped closer and dropped his voice. “You could have come to say hi, you know. It’s okay if you do.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah. I’m not going to kiss you while I’m working, though. That’s unprofessional.”
I smiled. So him. “I get it. It’s okay.”
“Okay.” He looked over his shoulder with a grimace.
“What?”
“Kissing you might help with that, though.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry, Atty. The only way you’re getting rid of the groupies is covering up. Being half-naked sure as shit ain’t working.”
He pressed his lips together, trying—and failing—not to grin. “Really?”
“Really. Trust me. I’m about to join them. Consider me rattled.”
His grin spread to full force—that perfect Atty grin, dimple in his right cheek deepening, a flush creeping all the way to the tips of his ears. He was so fucking beautiful.
With a small headshake, he took another step closer. The scent of sunblock and sweat hit me just as his fingers curled under my jaw, tilting it up. The kiss was quick. Just a soft, unprofessional peck. But I felt it in my fingertips.
“I thought this was a big work no-no.”
He shrugged. “Will you drive me home after?”
His words skated over my skin, and I nodded dumbly. “I’ll drive you to the fucking moon if you’d like,” I whispered, goosebumps prickling along my arms as his warm laugh fanned over me. At some point, my hands had landed on his hips. His skin was sun-warmed and smooth.