Page 12 of Colin

“When is it over?”

“One.”

“Perfect. Text me his number, and I’ll call him after one.”

“Suure…”

“Thanks.”

Then I waited. Impatiently.

I stormed around the house under the guise of checking out the work being done. I didn’t actually give a fuck what the contractors were doing, but I needed something to occupy my time. Until I could call Colin.

That boy was already getting under my skin. And I didn’t seem to mind. I was pretty sure he was interested in me too. But something was holding him back, and I sure hoped it wasn’t my reputation. I would find out one way or another.

I walked back to the pool house and changed into swim trunks, still needing to kill a little more time. The pool was being tiled, but the hot tub on the far side was operational, so I got in. A good soak would do me good. But I couldn’t have been in more than five minutes before I got out again. I took a shower and sat on the sofa, staring at my phone. The second the time changed to one, I pulled up Andy’s text and tapped Colin’s number.

It rang. And rang. I was probably calling too soon. I left a message. “Hey. This is Rourke Lazarus. I got your number from Andy. I didn’t like the way I left things last night, and I want to talk to you. I’ll call back in about fifteen minutes.”

Then, more impatient waiting. This was killing me. If he was already messing with my head like this, would he be too much for me to handle? Nah.

I saved his number into my phone.

Fifteen minutes later, I called again.

“Hello. This is Colin.” His voice practically purred. Or maybe that was only me reading into things.

“Hi, Colin. It’s Rourke.”

“I figured. From your voicemail. I was cleaning up. At work. You know?”

“Yes, Andy told me you were off at one.”

“Goes late sometimes.”

“Mmm…indeed.” He was quiet after that. “I don’t like the way I left you like that last night. I didn’t want you to take it personally. I was in a bad mood that had nothing to do with you.”

“Yeah. Figured something like that. It didn’t seem your kind of place. You know?”

“It isn’t. But you didn’t seem comfortable there either. Though, you looked good.” I closed my eyes, remembering the fancy top he wore that teased a peek at what was beneath but didn’t deliver. And his long hair pulled in front of his shoulder on one side. I would so like to get my hands in all those silky strands.

“Oh, thanks, but yeah. I didn’t have a good time. I…don’t like clubs. And I don’t like dressing up. Honestly, you may not want to know this, but I’d prefer gym shorts or jeans and a baggy tee.”

“Colin, I want to know everything about you. And I mean the real you. Not the toy you let Andy dress you up as.”

“Yeah. I think I’m done with that but…”

“But what?”

“Never mind. Anyway, I’m not mad at you or anything. But I have a lot to do this afternoon.”

“Oh, okay. I understand, but when are you off next? I’d like to take you to dinner.”

Silence.

“Colin?”

“I, uh, yeah, sure. That would be fun. I’m off tomorrow, so dinner tonight would be great. Do you want to meet somewhere?” He was adorable. Meet somewhere. As if.

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