Chapter 7 #2
I stood for a moment, watching them walk through the bar’s door, hand in hand, my chest squeezing. This situation was messed up. But he had little choice, didn’t he? Damn it, I understood Malik’s feelings for Grey even better now, and I’d only just met Colton.
After following them into the parking lot, I slipped my keys from my jean’s pocket. I wouldn’t watch him give her a goodnight kiss.
He halted, released her hand, and stepped toward me. “Goodnight, Travis. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Dipping his head, he said, “I’m sorry about this, but I don’t know what else to do.”
“We’ll talk tomorrow.” I squeezed his arm and ambled toward my truck. As I unlocked the door, the corner of my eye caught him kissing her cheek. “Fuck.” With a growl, I hopped in and started the engine.
“You can go harder than that.” With a chuckle, I added another plate to Malik’s bar while he lay on a padded bench under the bench press, and then I stood by his head so I could spot him. We were at the gym, and I needed to blow off extra steam after last night.
“You’re killing me, Tex.” With a grunt, he lifted the bar, his arms shaking.
I pressed my fingers under the bar, giving him a little help. “Come on, you’ve got this.” We’d enter the draft this spring, and he needed to be in top shape.
After lifting the bar all the way up, he slowly lowered it onto the holder and blew out a ragged breath.
“Fuck, that’s it.” He sat up and shook his arms. “What’s gotten into you today?
You’re hitting it hard.” The edge of his lips quirked.
“Feeling the need to work off some sexual tension after hanging out with your tutor last night?”
“No.” I ambled over to the plates, adding a few more to the ends.
It was my turn. “Maybe.” I snuck a peek at him.
“But the girl he’s dating appeared last night, and she’s a piece of work.
” With a scoff, I shook my head and planted my hands on my hips.
Damn it, I wouldn’t talk about it. But I couldn’t remove it from my head. The entire evening had been messy.
“Is he queer or not? Did you ever clarify that with him?” He rested his hands on his thighs, sweat dripping off his dark bangs.
Should I tell him? Colton was sort of out, wasn’t he? Except with his dad? But this was Malik. I could trust him with a secret.
“Tex? Talk to me, man.” He slapped my thigh.
“Yes, he’s bisexual.” I freed a harsh exhale. I could tell him that much. “There’s definitely something between us. But he’s got issues, and I think he’ll need therapy to work through them.”
“What sort of issues?” He stood, and his brows furrowed. “Is he in the closet?”
“Partially. His best friend knows…well, I think.” Had he told me that, or did I infer it because Evan helped him when he was hooking up with guys?
“But his dad doesn’t know, and he thinks his dad wouldn’t accept it.
” I rolled my lips. “He went through hell after his mom died from cancer, and that’s when he found out he was bisexual.
He hooked up with guys. But then, when he pulled himself out of it, he stopped.
It’s some sort of weird control issue with him. ”
Malik’s brows rose. “Yeah, it sounds like therapy would be a good idea.” He patted my shoulder. “Dude, it sounds like he needs a friend who’s family. Maybe for now, it’s all you can do.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.” I chewed the inside of my cheek. I wanted more, but it might be impossible for him to provide it. “Thanks, man.” I side-hugged him. He had enough bullshit to worry about with Grey. I wouldn’t burden him any more with my shit.
“Here goes nothing.” I stared at Colton’s door. It was time for my tutoring session with him. After my brief discussion with Malik, I was determined to keep him in the friend zone and talk to him a little more about the LGBTQ center. I stepped up the stairs and knocked.
The door swung open, revealing a young man with bright eyes and dark curly hair, staring back at me. “Oh, hi. You must be Tex?” He extended his hand. “I’m Grady. It’s nice to meet you. I love watching the games.”
As I shook his hand, I said, “Thanks, Grady.” This must be the student Colton had scheduled before me.
“Yeah, well, I’ll let you get to it.” He pointed his thumb behind him. “He’s a great tutor, isn’t he?” He sidestepped me and walked onto the entry.
“He sure is.” After offering a grin, I said, “See you around.” I strolled into Colton’s apartment and shut the door behind me. Grady was a good-looking guy. Was he queer? I hadn’t gotten those vibes from him, so maybe I was safe. Damn it, I was laying claim to Colton again.
Colton strolled from his kitchen to his couch with a bottle of Gatorade in his hand. “Ready to get started?” He sat in the center of the sofa, his blue polo shirt buttoned all the way and his grey board shorts fitting snugly over his lower half.
Damn, if he didn’t look as studious as the first day I’d seen him. It was such a turn-on. “Sure, we can get right into it.” At some point, though, we needed to talk.
I fell in beside him, dropped my backpack on the coffee table and pulled my laptop out. “You, uh, have you heard from Sara since last night?” I cringed. Why had I blurted that out?
“She texted a few times, but that’s about it.” He gave a long sigh. “I still plan on ending things with her at lunch on Saturday.” He shifted closer.
“Yeah?” Setting my laptop on my lap, I turned it on. “Good.” Should I ask—
“She was over the top last night. I should have dismissed her or something.” He rubbed his neck. “I’m sorry.”
Turning toward him, my gaze searched his face. “She was a little aggressive.” I’d had all day to ruminate over what happened, and one thing struck me. “Does she know there’s something between us?”
“Know?” His brows flew up. “She might see something…” His gaze landed on my mouth and sped away.
One…He’d already looked at my mouth once today. How many more times would it happen? “I think maybe she does. I think she might be jealous of me.” I lifted my chin and gauged his reaction. “Do you think she was searching for you last night?” I clicked my next assignment open.
“No.” Shaking his head, he freed a soft snort. “She knows I hardly ever go out. Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know. It just seems like an odd coincidence.” Maybe she was truthful in how she found us. The other time she’d been with friends. “Anyway, here’s what I’m working on next.” I turned my screen toward him.
“Oh, this will be easy.” He inched closer to my side, and our thighs pressed together.
“If you say so.” Leaning toward him, I breathed him in, and my dick woke. If he wasn’t keeping his distance, why should I? We were finally alone.
After working on the assignment for half an hour, my phone buzzed in my backpack. I slipped it out and looked at it. Dante Garza scrolled across the top. “Hey, I should take this. I’ll make it quick.”
He peered at my phone. “Dante? Isn’t that your ex?”
“Yep.” I set my laptop on the coffee table, stood and strolled toward the patio doors, looking onto the table and chairs and the greenery beyond. “Hey, Dante.”
“Hola, Güero. How are you doing? Is your head okay? You took a hard hit at the last game.” His voice was smooth and deep, just how I remembered it.
“Yeah, I took a hard hit, and they pulled me from the game, but I was fine. The team doc cleared me on Monday.” Warmth fluttered through my heart. As usual, he was concerned about me and had watched the game. “How are things in Austin? Are the bar patrons keeping you busy?”
“You know they are. The holidays will be here soon enough and then it’ll be a madhouse.” He chuckled. “Speaking of which, I was hoping I could pay you a visit and see a game in person before Thanksgiving,” he said. “I saved some money, so—”
“Sure, but there’s no need for you to stay in a hotel room. You can stay with me. My roommates are sleeping together, so I’m sure you can take Malik’s bed.” As a smile pulled at my lips, I dipped my head. Hosting him for a weekend would be a treat.
“Are you sure? Ask him first.” He inhaled. “I checked your schedule, and I thought maybe I’d come out in the middle of November when you play West Virginia.”
“Middle of November works, and I’ll have game tickets for you.
I’ll speak with Malik and make sure the house is ready for you.
” I glanced at Colton, who had sunk into the couch and was wringing his hands in his lap.
What was up with him? “I’ll text you later.
” I should finish my tutoring session. “Anyway, I have to go. I’ll speak with you soon, okay? ”
“Of course. Looking forward to it, Güero.” He offered a soft laugh. “Chao.”
“Chao.” With my chest warming again, I ended the call, smiling at my phone. We’d have fun when he came out. We always did.
“So, your, uh, your ex is coming out for a game, and he’ll stay with you?” He wrinkled his brows as his gaze crept to mine.
“Yeah, I haven’t seen him since last summer. I went home to Austin for a few weeks in June.” I stepped to the couch and sat beside him. “We’re friends now.”
“Only friends? You two never hook up?” As he focused on my mouth, he licked his own.
“No, we haven’t hooked up for a few years.” Why was he asking about this? I peered at him. Did he have exes he hooked up with? I’d never heard him talk about any.
“When did you break up?” He shifted closer to me.
“It was at the start of my sophomore year. We were young and having a long-term relationship wasn’t working for us.” He was so close again. What was he looking for?
“So, you feel nothing for him now besides friendship?” Twisting toward me, he set his hand on my thigh. “Nothing at all?”
I stared at his hand, warming my thigh and sparking heat into my balls. That was a bold move, wasn’t it? “No, I don’t have feelings for him anymore.” Was he jealous? “Colton, what are you—”