Page 19 of Touchdown

I grab Luke’s shoulders to help prop myself up onto an elbow. “Will someone untie us already?”

“Oh, so you’re not into that?” Brandon raises an eyebrow but does as I ask.

“Shut up, Brandon,” Luke mutters, but there’s a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

I resist the urge to lean forward and kiss Luke. Sure, all of our teammates know about us at this point—it would be hard not to with us having rather loud sex in the tent right next to them for the past several nights—but that’s different to doing stuff in front of them.

I feel fondness and something else I haven’t felt in a long time curl in my belly as I watch Luke shake his foot, trying to get the snarl of ropes off.

“Here, let me.” I reach over and help free him. He smiles at me, and I feel my stomach swoop. I feel—

Oh.Oh, fuck.

Nope. No way am I doing this. Absolutely not a chance in hell.

“Cody? What’s wrong?”

“I—nothing. I’m just going to the river.”

The new phrase for going to the bathroom out here, and no one questions me. I hurry out of sight, allowing my knees to collapse only once I’m sure I’m well out of everyone’s line of vision. I groan as I let my head fall into my hands.

I’m so stupid. I knew this was going to happen, and yet, I let it happen anyway.

I’m developing feelings for Luke. Dangerous feelings that whisper seductively to me that there’s nothing wrong, that Luke would never hurt me if I gave in to them… but I thought Zack would never hurt me, and we all know how that turned out.

I have to put a stop to this, now. I’ll just tell Luke that what I feared is happening, and we’ll pull back. We’ll be just friends, like we discussed originally.

But that’s not going to work, is it? I know myself well enough by now that I know I can’t resist Luke, either physically or emotionally. The more time I spend around him, the deeper I will dig myself into this pit.

My heart goes cold as I realize what I have to do.

7

Luke

Everyone is laughing and teasing each other about the hilarious results of the three-legged relay race, but my mind is still on Cody. He’s been gone a long time. I hope he’s alright. There could be any number of things wrong. Anything from an upset stomach to falling and hitting his head on a rock before falling into the water.

That last thought has me getting abruptly to my feet. “I’m going to check on Cody.”

“Cody’s a big boy, Luke, he doesn’t need you to hold his cock while he pisses… unless you’re going for something sexier than that.” Jason raises an eyebrow at me, but I’m not in the mood for teasing right now.

“I just want to check on him. I’ll be right back.”

Fortunately, it seems my worst fears are unfounded. I haven’t gone more than a few steps when I almost bump into Cody, who seems to be making his way back.

“Cody, I was just—Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

I stare at him. It’s obvious from his face that he is very much not fine. What’s his issue? “You can tell me. Truly, what is bothering you?”

Cody takes a deep breath and gives me a very obviously fake smile. “I’m just not feeling that well. Maybe something I ate isn’t agreeing with me. I think I’m going to lie down for a bit.”

I press my hand anxiously to his forehead. He doesn’t feel warm, but he certainly looks out of sorts. “You rest, then. I hope you feel better.”

“Thanks, Luke… for everything. You’re—you’re a great guy. I’m so glad I met you.”

“Don’t talk like that—you’re not dying. You’ve likely just got food poisoning. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be back to full health in no time.”

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