Page 3 of False Start

“No way. Warm. Stay.” My heart squeezes tightly in my chest at his request, and I have to close my eyes and try to remind myself he doesn’t mean it that way. We’re friends. He’s straight. Totally and completely straight.

This is so unhealthy.

“I have to go home and change before school.” I grab his forearm and try to pry it off me, but he just laughs and holds me tighter. Damn jocks and their delicious, stupid muscles.

He’s starting to stir more and more awake, but he doesn’t release me. “You should just bring some clothes here and leave them.”

“Sure. You won’t live with your girlfriend, but you’d be fine with me moving in here with you.” That’s right, folks. He has a girlfriend. And I’m lying here in his bed that smells like him, with his arms wrapped around me.

I tried to make it sound like a joke, but I feel him stiffen behind me before he finally lets go and sits up, rubbing at his eyes. “You know that’s different.”

Do. Not. Look. At. His. Chest.

I have to force my eyes to stay on his face—which, if I’m being honest, isn’t much better. Vaughn is absolutely perfect every-single-where. His face is movie-star handsome with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. Full red lips and dark-blue, soulful eyes surrounded by long inky lashes. It’s not fair. He should have some sort of flaw, but he doesn’t. Trust me, I’ve looked.

“Sure,” I grumble because of course it’s different. We aren’t in a relationship. He’s in a relationship with Vanessa, and he doesn’t want to live with her. But I’m just his buddy. His pal.

Goddamn, I need to get a grip.

I start to leave his bed, but he stops me with a hand around my wrist, keeping me there. “What’s wrong? You seem grumpier than normal this morning.”

And... I just looked at his chest. I mean, that’s just not fair. He’s sculpted. I mean everywhere. He has strong pecs with just a hint of dark chest hair with pink dusty nipples and then stupid—and I meanstupid—abs. Six of them. Defined and perfect with a light dusting of dark hair trailing from his belly button down to the top of his tight, black boxer briefs.

Holy shit, I could come just looking at him.

“I’m fine,” I say, pulling my arm away gently and standing up, then grabbing my shirt and hoodie to cover my crotch because my dick is still 100 percent hard, and I’m hoping he doesn’t notice. “I just hate being late. I didn’t mean to fall asleep last night.”

He shrugs. “We’ve been sleeping over at each other’s house since we were five. It’s no biggie.” He lies back on the bed, reaching his arms up and covering his eyes with them, leaving his body on full display for my traitorous eyes. His biceps bulge, and I want to lick them.

Yup. Time to go.

“Take my truck, and then come get me.”

I have my own truck but rarely drive it because Vaughn likes to ride together. Austin and Vaughn. BFFs. Forever and always. Even if I die a little inside when I think about how we’ll never be more than that.

“You better not be late.”

He waves me off, snuggling back into his pillow.

“Vaughn.”

“Won’t. Promise.” He’s starting to drift off again, but whatever. I’ll drag his ass out of bed when I’ve showered and maybe gotten a little smidge of relief. I wave a quick goodbye to his amused-looking parents and hop into Vaughn’s truck, driving the quick mile down the road to my house.

When I walk through the front door, I see my mom sitting on the sofa, sipping her coffee, wearing a similarly amused look as Vaughn’s parents did. “Stayed at the Montgomerys’ again?”

I shrug, feeling a blush creep over my cheeks. “Yeah. Sorry.”

She waves me off easily because, of course, she’s unbothered. “Oh please. I think your friendship is so cute. And besides, you’re eighteen.” Yup, I’m officially an adult with a ridiculous crush on his best friend.

It’s so not cute. Sometimes, it’s crippling, feeling this way about my best friend. I try to tell myself it’s because I’m gay and I live in a small town that still believes intraditional values. Whatever the fuck that means. That I’m just fixating on Vaughn because he’s good-looking of course, but he’s also the best friend I’ve ever had. I’m safe with Vaughn.

Unless I mess it up and let him know about all the crazy feelings I have about him. Feelings that are unrequited.

Feelings that are dangerous.

3

VAUGHN

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