7. Chapter 7 #2
His eyes bug out of his head, his footing falling wrong on the belt and I grip him under his arm to help him compose his stride again. He doesn't flinch away from my sudden closeness, the furrow between his brows gone.
“No one! I just didn't know what you meant when you said someone like me.”
“I meant a literature student. You know, hobbies include reading, writing. I'd never care if someone was gay.” Now the doubt creeps in. “I'm sorry, it was pretty dumb. I've never seen you here, but anyone can work out…”
My eyes drop to the floor, blush creeping up my neck. Nimble fingers appear under my chin and I can't look up fast enough, as Miles stops his machine.
“Hey, don't do that. It wasn't dumb. I normally go to another gym, but I wanted to try the one next to campus. This is easier for classes.”
I nod, his finger still touching my skin and sending shivers across my collarbone. Have I ever reacted to someone like this before? Especially a guy before? Old memories flicker to life. That dick pic has done a number on me.
“Why are you mad?”
He blinks, mouth slightly open. “Why do you think I'm mad?”
“Your brows got all scowly and you stopped smiling.”
“I did not.”
I give him a pointed look, finally stepping back onto my machine to end the madness of his touch.
“You normally smile so big we should all call you Miley.” I press the treadmill on, setting the speed low at a steady stroll.
I'm so far from my usual mindspace here, I might as well start my cool-down.
“You did a big, old scowl that scared the birds off outside.” I smirk, looking at him sidewards.
Now he's definitely scowling, but the side of his lips twitch upwards.
“No one is calling me Miley, keep your popstar references to yourself.”
I hold my hands up, watching as he returns to his machine but holds our eye contact. “I'm not mad. It’s just…I’m not Grace, we're not alike.”
Unsure why it seemed to bother him so much, I nod, fully aware he's nothing like Grace which actually is a great thing.
Despite how hard I tried, we really didn't have anything in common. We both share a great work ethic, passionate about our futures, but I’m not dim enough to have believed they would revolve around one another.
We share a silent acknowledgement, he nods too and sets his machine to match my pace again. Has he been here long? I didn't notice him working out, but being completely honest I haven't exactly been present.
Walking in silence for a long awkward minute, I'm worried I've ruined all conversation when my phone vibrates, giving me a reprieve from spiraling. Swiping it from the ledge, I open the text notifications and feel relieved it's just our rugby team group chat.
Rowley: Does anyone have a lemon I can borrow?
Kade: Borrow or have?
Rowley: What's the difference?
Harris: One implies you'll give him a lemon back, the other means it's yours.
Rowley: WHY THE FUCK WOULD I GIVE THE LEMON BACK?
Kade: Oh, so you just want my lemon for free?
Rowley: I'm not doing this. Forget I even asked.
Levi: There’s lemons in the cupboard above the toaster Roe, ignore them.
Kade: NO ONE CAN IGNORE MEEEEEE
Kade: ????????????
Em: What are you lemons for? ??
Rowley: I want to shave them on top of my cheesecake which none of you are having ??
Kade: Fuck right off I want some of that!
Levi: Everyone come round in 10 xoxo
Rowley: Leeeeeeeeeeeee
“Grace?” Miles curiosity drags me away from the chat.
“No, actually.” I chuckle under my breath, unable to keep the note of bitterness out of it.
“Are you guys meeting up today before class?”
Tucking my phone into my shorts, I take a short inhale knowing this is the start of explaining we are no longer together.
“No. No longer on boyfriend duty. We broke up.” I give him a small smile and wince, but not for the reason he probably thinks.
I felt terrible about myself last night, but actually I feel pretty relieved it's over.
Which obviously makes me feel ten times worse than terrible.
“Ah man,” Miles starts, but I wave him off before he can continue.
“It's fine, don't apologise for me. Honestly. I feel like a shitty person admitting it, but I'm really ok it's over. It wasn't anything serious.” I frown at myself and slow my speed, wondering why the hell I felt the need to add that last part.
Slowing his machine down too, he gives me one of those blinding smiles.
“I wasn't going to say sorry,” he says unapologetically.
“She wasn't the one for you.” As he turns his machine off I catch the way the turquoise in his eyes glint, the all knowing spark in them giving me shivers.
I can feel the ghost of his touch under my chin.
“I’m not straight.” I blurt out, cursing under my breath at how of all times, I can't control what comes out of my mouth.
“It's not the reason we broke up, but yeah. I’m bi, maybe?” I've had sex with girls and didn't hate it.
It just always took a long time to connect emotionally and for the light bulb to click on in my pants. “I don't know.”
Miles raises his eyebrow at me, leaning against the treadmill bar with a tiny smirk. “You don't know?”
Of course I fucking know, but it's too long of a story and a confusing childhood to explain. One that I've only started to think about more, in the past couple of days. “Maybe?”
He nods, still looking at me with sparkling eyes. “Maybe.” It sounds more definitive when he says it, like he knows what I actually want to admit.
Turning the machine off and grabbing my water, we both step off at the same time and I aim towards the changing rooms. “Are you still working out?” I'm elated when he shakes his head, whilst taking a long drink from his aluminium bottle and making his t-shirt rise to show a sliver of light skin in the process.
“Nah, that's it for me. Do you wanna grab a coffee before heading onto campus?” The invitation is easily given, Miles doesn't even look at me whilst he asks, but it feels like fucking everything to me.
He barely broke a sweat, so I took the quickest shower of my life and returned to the locker room in just a pair of tight black boxer-shorts.
His ears turn an adorable shade of pink when he sees me, so I intentionally flexed my glutes as I passed by.
I don't have a clue what possessed me to do it, but being the Inkedreaper is definitely a confidence boost. Getting dressed in record speed too, into black jeans, my vans and of all the things I'm trying to not internally die about right now, his hoodie. He of course notices straight away, but sensing my apprehension when I smooth it down my torso, he doesn’t say a thing.
Miles just smiles like I gave him great news and we head out to the coffee house before class.
Chatting the entire time about farm life, the book he's currently reading for class and of course I had to show him the live stream of Winnie that Harris’s sister had set up.
I felt swept up, suddenly being plopped in front of Brew and Bramble, the coffee shop.
More pumpkins and golden brown leaves have been added to the window display, the door even has a wrap around reef of autumnal foliage.
I loved this place and turns out he does too.
The doorbell tinkles as we step inside and I place my hand on his back, leaning in. “Go find a spot and I'll grab us two coffees.” I say, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla from his jumper blending with the aroma of the coffee shop.
“How will you know what I want?” He bats, not moving away but lifting his arm so the back of his hand rests against my chest.
“I’ll make an educated guess from the time you soaked me in caramel.” The noise that crawls out of his throat makes me laugh as I give his back a little pat, pushing him towards the seating area whilst I step in to join the cue. “Go sit Miley, I'll surprise you.
So I may have got excited buying sweet treats for him, but gifts are my love language, that I tend to throw on all my friends.
I got us both a pumpkin spiced latte, extra cream and cinnamon dusting for Miles.
I then indulged in the confectionery department, buying a cinnamon swirl, two chocolate chip cookies, a blondie brownie, a pumpkin short-bread cake and because I couldn't resist, two croissants.
As I bring our loot over to the little table by the window, his eyes widen. “Is someone else joining us?”
I grin. “I’m a feeder.” Balancing the tray, I place both our drinks down before dishing the treats onto plates and carry it back to the counter.
Turning, I witness the moment the pumpkin spice hits and his eyes practically roll into the back of his head.
A small warmth sits in my chest. A light layer of cream and cinnamon coats his upper lip.
His tongue darts out and slowly licks it away.
Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck me.
I quickly stride back to our table and slide into the free seat, my knee brushing his thigh.
“It tastes so good.” Miles hums, taking another large sip. “What do you want to eat?”
Doing my best to ignore the fluttering in my stomach, I acknowledge all the food and take a sip of my own coffee before answering. “Let's share everything. Oh, apart from a cookie. That's Ems.” I reach over and slide one of the cookies into a paper take away bag the barista gave me.
He smiles, ripping into the cinnamon swirl and I take the other half. “You're friends seem great.”
“They really are. We grew up together. Harris and I could wave at each other from our bedrooms if we leant out far enough.” I chuckle, taking a huge bite and groaning inappropriately. I don't miss the way he watches my lips, but he quickly recovers.
“That's awesome. I bet you were all happy you got into the same university.”