Page 49 of False Start

Not for a while. But just as I’m about to give up, that’s when I see him. My Vaughn. His face, bare chest, and arms are painted red, and he’s wearing tight black spandex pants that leave absolutely nothing to the imagination, all topped off with horns on his head.

He looks positively sinful, and that’s even before he sees me. The sheer lust burning in his eyes as he looks me up and down, then crosses the room to come to me, is enough to make me weak in the knees.

“Austin?”

“Hey . . . uh . . . thought you could use a little angel to your devil.”

He’s grinning now, and it should look ridiculous with the paint on his face, especially now that I see his eyebrows are painted black. “You came?”

“I’m sorry. I was an idiot. A real idiot.”

“That’s usually my job,” he jokes, but I growl.

“You’re not an idiot.”

He smirks. “You couldn’t stay away again, huh?”

I should be embarrassed by how needy he makes me, but I can’t find it in me to care. “I never want to be away from you, Vaughn. I know I was an asshole last weekend. I was scared.”

He nods solemnly, crossing his big, bulging arms and making those veins that drive me crazy pop out, begging to be licked. “And you were afraid people would think we were together. But don’t you think they could guess when you’re looking at me like you want to eat me?” He waggles his eyebrows at me, and I shove him playfully.

He drops his arms, stumbling slightly but recovering fast. “Oh, I knew without a doubt if anyone saw us together, they’d know just how badly I want you. After years of hiding it, I don’t think I have it in me anymore.”

“I don’t want you to hide it. I like the way you look at me.”

“I know,” I say softly. “You’re way braver than I’ll ever be. But I don’t want to make your life any harder.”

“You don’t. If they can’t accept me, then I don’t want to be their friend. It’s as simple as that.” And the thing is, I know he means it. It really is that simple for him.

I take a deep breath. “Okay, introduce me to your friends then.”

His eyes light up. “Really?”

I nod. Even though I don’t feel sure about this at all, I need to trust Vaughn. He knows what he can handle, and I know he won’t ever lead me to harm. He doesn’t waste any time though.

He takes my hand and leads me over to a bunch of guys who are standing around, drinking and wearing costumes—big burly guys I’m almost certain have to be his teammates. They’re looking at us curiously.

Vaughn is smiling big though. “Miles. Jacob. John, this is my boyfriend, Austin.”

Okay, so I guess we’re just going to lead with that. My palm is sweating in his, but he doesn’t falter. He isn’t challenging them either. It’s like he’s not really asking for any sort of judgment. He’s just telling them how it is.

Jacob is the first one to speak, reaching his hand out for me. “Nice to meet you, Austin. Cool couples costume. My girlfriend wanted to do that, but we couldn’t agree, so she went to her sorority party instead.”

Miles snorts next to him and looks at me. “That’s because she can’t stand his ass but can’t quite cut the cord.”

“Fuck off,” Jacob says, but it seems lighthearted and fun.

Vaughn wraps his arm around my shoulders, and I instinctively lean into him. “Austin surprised me. I didn’t even know we’d be matching until I saw the angel in the room.”

“Gag, man. You’re one of those adorable couples, aren’t you?” John jokes, and they all laugh.

It’s like this huge weight is lifted off me. Maybe the world really has changed, or maybe it’s just because it’s college and it’s still people from all over, even if it’s more an agricultural, rural area. It still attracts all minds. But my guard remains up. There’ll be someone who will be a prick about it, there’s no doubt in my mind, and years of keeping watch for everyone around me doesn’t just go away.

We stand around and joke for quite a while, but it’s low-key and fun. Vaughn actually has to pull me away from the party to go back to his dorm, but when we get there, I’m done complaining.

I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his soft lips, uncaring that I’ll likely get my glitter all over him and I’ll be covered in red paint. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him being inside me, and I’m going to get it again.

“Thank you for coming,” he says breathlessly, trying to get my costume off.

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