23. Porter
PORTER
I’m not sure why I made that joke, I shouldn’t have, and now Will’s not responding. A follow-up text seems a bit too desperate though.
Oh god, and he’s around his team! Now I’m picturing Will shouting out, “What does vers mean?” in a locker room.
RIP to me. Cause of death: ill-timed gay humor.
I roll onto my stomach and shove my face into my pillow, groaning.
I wasn’t trying to be suggestive. Okay, maybe I was a little.
It’s been so much harder to act with normal friendly behavior since the whole flirty Daddy night.
Clearly, I should’ve learned my lesson in the past, but I’m only human.
It’s not my fault he’s so hot and nice, and I’m apparently always drawn to what I can’t have.
I peek at my phone again because I have no self-control.
Still nothing. Fuck.
It’s only the first full day away from him, and I’ve already made things weird. It should be day two, but he came to see me yesterday before he left for the bus. I’ve been telling myself it’s because he wanted coffee and not that he’s dreading the time apart as much as I am.
But it will be good for us.
For me.
The distance will be healthy—the space I need to get my head on right and remind myself why I shouldn’t go down this path again.
Besides, one text that he doesn’t know how to respond to is no big deal.
Maybe he’s doing something else. His coach could be talking to them or they could be checking into their next hotel.
I don’t know. Will just usually doesn’t shy away from things, so I kind of feel like he’d ask me if he didn’t understand rather than ignore me entirely.
Probably.
I can’t keep lying here overthinking this. I should get up and do something instead of wasting away waiting. I need a distraction.
But the second I move and swing my legs over the side of my bed, my phone buzzes, and I’m unlocking it so fast.
Will
I did have to Google that, but yes, I’m vers on the field. ;p That’s a good one.
Oh for fuck’s sake!
Porter
Do not start making that joke to your teammates lol
Saying it to Will is one thing, but I don’t know the rest of his friends, and I don’t want it to somehow bite him in the ass.
I wish I could bite his ass.
Fuck. No. Will is just a friend. I need to get that through my thick skull during this time apart.
Will
They could use a little more sex ed, I’ve heard their stories
I huff out a laugh at that. I have no idea what his teammates are like, but I can’t imagine they’re filled with love for the queer community.
It’s a stereotype, and I shouldn’t stereotype people, I know—especially because Will is absolutely nothing like an asshole jock—but I have a hard time believing they’d all be so open to hearing about gay sex.
Porter
Are your teammates cool with queer people?
The dots appear and disappear repeatedly.
My pulse spikes because I have no idea what he’s going to say, and I’m scared my gut reaction might be right.
What would it mean for Will and my friendship if any of them did say something to him about us?
Would that be the thing that finally gets him to put distance between us?
He can pretend it doesn’t affect things, but I’ve learned that what people do in public carries far more weight than what they say behind closed doors.
Will
I really don’t know. No one on the team is queer, at least that I know of, so it’s not a topic that’s come up.
I stare at the screen for a second longer than necessary, my thumb hovering uselessly over the keyboard.
I want to believe it’s a good thing, that if no one has ever brought it up that means his teammates aren’t vocally or outwardly homophobic.
But who knows what would change if I were thrown into the conversation.
Porter
I was just curious. Sometimes people surprise you, sometimes they really don’t.
Will
In case you’re wondering, I’d shut that shit down so fast if anyone said something stupid. You’re my friend and I care a lot about you.
My stomach tightens, and I wish I could ignore the friend part. But I can’t.
Porter
I know you would.
Will
We’re pulling up to the next hotel now.
Will
What are you up to tonight?
Porter
Meeting up with some friends and a couple of my coworkers at the bar
Josie went home to see her family this weekend before our plans at the lake house. Thankfully Dom and Greg are still here, and a few other people I’m sure I’ll know, so I don’t have to spend the start of spring break completely alone.
Will
Don’t have too much fun without me. I hate I’m not there to walk you home and feed you Taco Bell
Porter
I’m sure no one else will ever do as good of a job. You can resume the role when you’re back
I grab a hoodie, only hesitating for a moment before pulling on the one he left at my place weeks ago now.
I might have started wearing it around my room, but Will is in a different state, so it’s not like he’ll see it.
I pull it on and slip my phone into my back pocket while I check my reflection in the mirror.
I look fine, but I’ve put almost no effort into my appearance, and definitely no panties since I really don’t have any intention of flirting with anyone tonight.
Even if I probably should shift my attention to someone who could reciprocate it.
Will
Text me if it sucks without me and you need a distraction.
Fucking hell.
What is with that easy availability he’s always offering so freely? And how does he do it in such a casual way?
Porter
I think I can manage one whole night without you.
Will
We’ll see ;) I hope you have fun though. I’ll stop distracting you.
I want to say he can distract me any time he wants, but I really should try to spend some time with my friends from work. I like his message instead because I can do this. I can treat Will like all my other friends.
One week. I have one week until he joins me at the lake house.
One week to get over this crush before we’re all alone on a trip together.
It’ll be fine.
One week was not nearly enough time to get over Will.
My stomach flips, and my heart rate skyrockets as he pulls up to the rental house. His face lights up after he gets out of the car and notices me wrapped up under the blanket on the patio furniture enjoying my morning coffee.
I probably should have acted a bit more casual than literally waiting outside for him, but when he texted me that he was almost here, I forgot any plans of relaxing on my own and couldn’t help myself.
Will grabs his bag and practically jogs up to meet me on the porch.
I want to jump up and throw my arms around him while I complain about how much I missed him during our time apart.
But that would be a bit much, even for me.
I manage to remain in my seat, instead calling out, “Hey, you made it!” in greeting.
“Wouldn’t have missed this.” He aims his megawatt smile right at me, and I want to melt.
Is it possible that he somehow became even more attractive over the last week?
Maybe it’s the stubble on his jaw, it looks like he hasn’t shaved in a few days, but I can’t tear my eyes away from his gorgeous face as he looks around the outside of the house. “This place is unreal.”
“Right?” I agree, hoping the hearts in my eyes aren’t as obvious as they feel. “Josie crushed it as usual. We had such a good time.”
“Yeah? What have you guys been up to?” he asks like we haven’t been texting all week as he sits down on the chair beside me.
“Nothing crazy. We took turns cooking, drank too much wine, and played cards by the fireplace. She made me open another gift because she said I needed something to unwrap even though this lake house was far more than enough.” I look up and almost forget how to speak as I meet Will’s gaze.
He’s staring at me like I’m telling an elaborate story, and he doesn’t want to miss any of the details.
I can feel my cheeks heating under his attention, but try to continue normally.
“Yesterday we went into town, got coffee, and walked around the little shops. It was nice.”
I pause, looking out at the water. The lake is small enough that I can see the other side.
It’s quiet and calm out here, just the wind moving through the trees and the occasional ripple breaking the surface.
The truth is, as much fun as it was being here with Josie, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about when Will would be here with me the whole trip.
Friends enjoy spending time together. I’m not admitting to anything more by being honest about missing him. So I decide to tell him. “I’m really glad she went to that engagement thing, though, and that I get to spend the rest of the time with you.”
Somehow his smile grows even bigger as he nods. “I’m glad too.”
We look at each other for a long moment, and I wish I knew what he was thinking. Finally, I force myself to move, nudging his foot with mine as I tease, “If you’re finished staring at me, I’ll give you the tour.”
He laughs. “Lead the way.”
We stand, and I do just that. The cabin smells faintly of wood, and a leather couch with decorative pillows faces the fireplace with a small wood dining table tucked into the far corner of the open space.
The kitchen looks completely remodeled while still tying in some personality with blue and green accents.
The house is very lake themed, but not in a cheesy way. I love it.
“There are two bedrooms,” I explain when we get to the hallway. “Josie slept in that room, and I slept in this one. We can see if they have extra sheets, I haven’t—”
“Can we just share a bed?” He cuts me off.