Chapter 4
OAKLEY
It’s been three weeks since I stopped responding to Alex’s texts, and she still hasn’t given up.
I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I thought ignoring every single text would let her know that I’m done.
Hell, my last text to her was me nicely telling her that it’s been great, but I’m no longer interested in seeing her.
That was a lie—it was not great—but I had no desire to be mean to her.
My phone buzzes again, and I have the urge to shuck the damn thing across the gym floor. Squeezing my eyes tightly, I glance over at the screen, wincing when I see her name light up on my screen.
Alex: Hey, I miss you
Fucking hell. At what point will she get that I don’t want to talk to her anymore?
I already know what Cole would say if he knew.
Block her. Which, duh, I should block her, but that feels so final and so mean.
What if something were to happen, like an accident, and I was the only person who could help?
Yeah... not likely.
My phone buzzes again, and I’m done. Picking up my phone, I go to her contact information, then scroll down, satisfaction filling my body as I press the block button.
She knew it was coming, after telling her multiple times I no longer wanted to see her or talk to her. I tried to be nice, but I’m done.
“Maybe I can work out now,” I whisper, nodding my head when the man next to me stares at me. “Just blocked a girl I was talking to. Feels good,” I tell him, waving my phone in the air. I’m probably oversharing, since I have no idea who this man is. But whatever, I’m just so glad it’s over now.
The man nods his head, raising his fist in the air. “Right on, man. I love when I get to do that. On to the next one.”
“Yeah,” I mumble, “on to the next one.”
Or not.
My body sags, exhaustion kicking in. I’m kind of over dating, to be honest. It feels like I’m constantly giving so much of myself and getting nothing in return.
I’m either being bitched at or being told who I can and can’t hang around with, or even where I can and can’t go.
It’s so damn tiring, so I think I’m going to take a break. Just focus on me.
And Cole.
Of course.
My life and Cole’s are so intertwined that there is no Oakley without Cole. My life without his. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s the only person I need.
My phone buzzes again, and for a split second, I worry that it’s Alex texting me from a different number, but my heart rate evens out when I see Cole’s name on my screen.
Cole: Wanna watch Spider-Man when you get home?
Cole: Too late. I’ve already got some popcorn and candy ready on the counter.
Cole: Hurry home
Cole and I have a lot in common, and one of them is our love for movies. Right now, we’re on a Marvel kick, where we’ve been watching all the franchise movies in timeline order. But Spider-Man is a movie we can watch over and over, no matter what time it is.
Knowing that Cole is at home waiting for me has me working out faster.
I pay no attention to those around me, just lifting weight after weight before moving onto the next set.
I started exercising regularly a few years ago, and I developed a passion for it.
Cole and I decided to try to find a new hobby, and we tried a new gym that had just opened near our apartment.
While Cole wasn’t much for it, I fell in love with it.
Being able to see how my body changes based on the different workouts I do.
It’s exhilarating to witness not only how much more I can lift but also just feeling healthier overall.
It was also around that time that I stopped drinking a lot.
I’ll still have the occasional drink every so often, but not as much as I used to.
Now I just need to figure out what the hell I want to do with my life.
I already know that I don’t want to work at the company I’m at forever, but I’m still not sure what path I want to take.
Hell, I’m only twenty-three, so I still have plenty of time to sort it out, but sometimes I’m harder on myself.
Cole usually helps me when I’m too in my head, but it’s still there in the back of my mind that I’ll eventually have to figure out something.
While I love the freedom of working from home, it doesn’t pay me enough, and I’m starting to realize I need to think more long-term and less about what’s good for the moment.
After rushing home, I take a quick shower while the apartment fills with buttery aroma.
I make sure to wash all the important parts, then rush out of the bathroom, skidding into my bedroom.
I toss on some pajama pants—without my briefs, of course—then head into the kitchen to see if Cole is ready to go.
“Alright, what can I do?” I ask, rubbing my hands together as I walk around the counter.
Silence greets my ears, and I smirk, seeing the headphones on Cole’s head as he bobs around to the music playing.
It’s adorable as hell and I should have known.
Walking up behind him, I grab hold of his waist as I reach past his lean body, grabbing a piece of popcorn out of the bucket and popping it into my mouth.
“Hey!” Cole scolds, turning around in my arms, his hands finding a spot on my chest. “Don’t eat all the popcorn yet. You have to wait for the movie.” He shoves me gently, pushing me back an inch.
Shrugging, I smirk at him, as though I’m innocent. “My bad, I just wanted a little taste.”
I try to psych him out, pretending I’m going to walk away before quickly turning back around. Cole and I wrestle in place, his hands hitting mine as I continue to attempt and grab some more popcorn.
Cole shrieks, smacking me in the chest, eyes wide. “Oh my god, do you ever get tired of your dick swinging around?”
“Hmm?” I reply, thrusting my hips so my cock moves around freely. “Try it sometime, and I guarantee you’ll never want to wear underwear again. Besides, I’ve never had any complaints about my dick being out.”
Cole shakes his head, his gaze pinging to my crotch, before his eyes get wide. “Ugh, I don’t want to think about all the people who’ve seen your cock. And no, I’m okay. I don’t need to be freeballing. My dick and balls like to be snuggled, thank you very much.”
“I don’t know; I think you should try it, but what do I know? All I know is my cock and balls thank me every day. Come on, I’m excited to watch the movie.”
I pick up the bowl of popcorn and grab two cans of Coke while Cole snatches up the bowl of candies he dumped out. We each set our items down on the table, then grab a throw blanket and place it over our legs.
“Did you ever watch that video I sent you with Tom Holland?” Cole asks when Spider-Man shows up on the screen.
“Oh, the one for the lip-syncing thing?” Cole is always sending me videos whenever he can. He’ll send a million a day and ask if I’ve seen them all. Sometimes I can keep up, but most times, I’ll quickly scroll, picking out the ones that seem the most interesting.
“Yeah, ever since I saw it, I thought how fucking awesome it would be to do that at Peaches. Now, I don’t know if Caleb will let me have water on the stage, but damn, can you imagine?”
“Caleb seems like a pretty laid-back guy; he might let you.”
Caleb is the other co-owner of Peaches with Jonas. I’ve only met him once or twice, but from what Cole has said, he sounds like a decent guy. Secretive but decent.
“I might have to try it. I feel as though my head is constantly scrambling to come up with new ideas, trying to keep things fresh. I don’t want anyone to get tired of me and no longer want to see me out on the stage.” He turns away from me to face the TV, wringing his hands in his lap.
I grab hold of his chin, turning his head to look at me. “What the fuck? Why would you think no one would want to come see you?”
I’ve been to Peaches time and time again, and I might be a bit biased, but out of all the performers that get up on that stage, Cole is hands down the top performer.
From his outfits to his choreography to just his aura.
Everything about Cole screams sunshine and light.
I have never met another soul who could easily put the biggest smile on my face or turn my mood from upset to happy in a millisecond.
And yeah, he’s my best friend, but even if he wasn’t, he’d still be the one person I would go to Peaches for.
Cole is the whole damn package. I just wish he saw himself the way everyone else does.
He sighs deeply, trying to drop his head from my grasp.
“I don’t know; it’s just a feeling. Like, I know I can dance, but there are still times when I mess up.
For instance, a few weeks ago, when I fell down.
I stood up again, but it’s still there in the back of my mind that if I don’t keep updating my choreography, then my customers will grow bored. ”
“What the hell, Cole? Don’t even think that.
I need you to really listen and hear what I’m about to say.
Trust me, since I’m the one who’s out there in the crowd and believe me when I say those people get all hot and bothered by you.
” I wait a few seconds, making sure he heard what I said.
“You, Cole. Get that through your thick skull.”
“Thanks,” he beams, offering me a bright smile. “Working at Peaches has tested my confidence, so I might get in my head a bit.”
“Seems like you’re in there way too much,” I tell him, flicking him on the forehead. “Get out of there. No one knows you better than I do; have more belief in yourself.”
“Alright, fine. I’ll try. Now stop distracting me when Spider-Man is on the screen.”
Leaning forward, I pop him on the nose with my finger before placing a soft kiss where my finger just touched. “Whatever you want.”
Cole and I get comfy on the couch, finishing the snacks within the first few minutes.
From the corner of my eye, Cole shivers roughly, his body jerking inside the blanket.
Without a second thought, I pull his body to mine, turning us on our sides so that we’re lying sideways on the couch with his back to my chest. Stretching my arm wide, I make sure he can use my muscle as a little pillow so that he’s more comfortable.
Once he settles against my body, I ensure the blanket covers us both before placing my arm across his stomach to guarantee he doesn’t fall off the sofa.
It isn’t long before my eyes drift shut, my arms protectively keeping Cole to my chest.