Chapter 34 - Nick
“Oh damn, he looks amazing.”
Alex hummed, agreeing with Declan. “He’s a real celebrity.”
“He is,” Declan mused.
Nick knew they were talking about Reece, so he marched right over and swiped Alex’s phone out of his hand to get a look for himself.
He expected some candid shots, or another magazine feature, but there were several pictures and even a video of Reece on a catwalk.
He looked stunning, and yet his blue eyes lacked that bright gleam that had always been there before.
He looked so serious, so fierce. And he’d cut his hair.
“Do you mind?” Alex took his phone back. “He’ll be at the draft, you know.”
Nick didn’t know, but now that he did, his heart was pounding.
It would be the first time the two of them saw each other in person since Nick ended things, and Nick missed him every second.
He knew with it being as hard as it was for him, he’d put Reece through hell, and as badly as Nick wanted to see him again, he didn’t think he deserved to. Didn’t know if he could handle it.
* * *
Draft day was eventful. Nick was dressed in an all black suit, looking his best, and thinking more about seeing Reece than being drafted all day.
Kent was there at Nick’s table. His only family and support aside from his agent, Donovan.
Kent started speaking to Nick again, but Nick knew he missed Reece and thought of him often.
Nick couldn’t blame him for that since he was even worse.
The event was strict. Seating arrangements not to be broken.
But Declan’s table was right next to Nick’s, and Reece was Declan’s guest. He should have been Nick’s—Nick had wanted to invite him.
He wanted Reece to be at his table, but how could he even think about being selfish with Reece yet again after he left him heartbroken.
Nick was still thinking about him when Reece showed up, dressed in black slacks and a white and black designer shirt, he walked right up to Nick’s table, laying a hand on Kent’s shoulder to catch his attention.
He’d already secured Nick’s but hadn’t looked at him once.
Not yet. Nick didn’t look away from him, though, because it felt like the first time he’d seen Reece in years instead of weeks, and yet the memory of Reece in his bed, in his arms, was so vivid in his mind that he didn’t think he’d ever be able to let it go.
Reece still wore the same cologne he always wore, a brand he’d modeled for a few times. He smelled good. Clean. Nick’s fists clenched over his legs under the table.
Kent was out of his seat instantly, hugging Reece tight, the two exchanging words Nick couldn’t quite hear.
Reece was smiling at Kent—and after they’d spoken, he finally looked at Nick and smiled at him, too.
So softly it broke Nick all over again. He stepped behind Kent to be closer and laid a hand on Nick’s shoulder, slender fingers sporting silver rings.
He was wearing the earrings Nick gave him, and a thin silver chain hung around his neck, resting under his shirt.
It had a loose fit but was tucked in at the waist, the top button undone to show off his collarbones.
“I’ll be cheering for you,” he said, squeezing Nick’s shoulder, and then walked to his seat.
And Nick hadn’t been able to say a word.
He’d still been taking the moment in—and it was over too soon.
But Nick could still feel Reece’s hand on his shoulder, and his support was so genuine that Nick could only close his eyes and thank him silently.
It was more than he deserved, more than he could’ve hoped for.
Reece would be okay. Nick would be okay.
They would be okay and they could still love each other and be friends, just like it was always meant to be.
Kent’s hand laid over Nick’s under the table, and Nick saw him smiling for the first time since Reece left. It was a soft, pleased smile that Nick found himself matching.