Page 67 of Echoes of Us

“Okay, so I don’t want you to read anything into it, but I kind of had a crush on Chase during high school. Let’s go say hi,” I said dismissively.

He held me again. “That’s pretty cute, Atty. You don’t have to worry about that.”

I let my shoulders relax. “Really?” I asked and he gave me a nod.

We approached the group, and Chase spotted me right away.

“No fucking shit! Atticus, my king, you came!” Chase called loudly, walking over to hug me. I probably should have warned Noah about that.

I hugged Chase back and looked at Noah. He didn’t look as amused as he had a second ago.

“Hey, Chase,” I said as he stepped back.

He blinked at me, surprised. “Aren’t you going to yell at me for being loud? What the hell happened to you in college? Did you go soft?” he asked with a laugh.

Noah scowled.

“I haven’t gone soft. Could you kindly piss off now,” I said tightly.

Chase smiled. “That’s more like it,” Chase said, then looked at Noah. “Are you King’s friend? You’re on his team back at college?” he asked, extending his hand.

“This is Noah,” I said, offering no explanation beyond that. I could see Noah’s jaw clench before he smiled and took Chase’s hand.

“Chase.”

“Noah. No, I played in high school, but I don’t anymore. I train with them sometimes.”

“That makes sense. I can’t imagine this guy talking to anybody outside of volleyball. You look bigger. Have you gotten bigger?” He pulled on my arm and pressed it next tohis to compare. “Definitely bigger,” he said, shaking his head. “Is he still obsessively training?” he asked Noah.

“Pretty much. What position did you play?” Noah asked.

“Middle blocker. King has been my partner since the first year. That’s why he’ll always be my king.” Chase guffawed. “How about you?”

“Same,” Noah said with a smile.

“Really? I guess King does have a type, doesn’t he?” Chase asked.

I tried to ignore the embarrassment his words caused me. “Fuck off,” I told him.

He laughed. “See, that’s more like the devil I know and love. Do you still hate beer? Let me get you one. Do you want one, Noah?” Chase asked, and Noah thanked him. Chase jogged away, leaving a silence behind.

“So, that was Chase,” I said, looking at Noah. “Do you want to meet the rest of the team?”

He gave me an unamused look. “My king?”

I nudged him towards the others. Chase handed us our beers while I introduced Noah to the guys. They started going on about previous matches and training camp, like old friends often do. I could tell Noah was uncomfortable, not because socializing wasn’t second nature to him, but because he had to keep away from me. Chase sat next to me, asking about the college team and telling me about his own. He kept reaching to grab my arm or leg, and I could see Noah glancing at him. It felt weird for me, too, not touching Noah. I had gotten used to his hand in mine or having my arm over his shoulder. He was turning me into a touchy person, but exclusively reserved for him. Chase was making me uncomfortable, as he usually did after my crush subsided.

Chase’s presence felt like a barrier, an awkward reminder of a past crush that now seemed trivial compared to my feelings for Noah. I could see the tension in Noah’s posture, the way his jaw tightened every time Chase touched me.

When Chase’s hand landed on my knee for the umpteenth time, Noah’s restraint wavered. His eyes darkened, and he took a deep breath.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Noah nodded, but his fidgeting leg and bitten lip told another story. “I’m fine. They don’t smoke, right?” His tone was clipped.

“They might, but it’s not legal here, and Ezra’s parents are probably home,” I explained, watching his leg bounce furiously. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked again, more softly this time.

“I said I’m fine,” he snapped, startling me. Noah was mad at me.

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