Page 2 of Catching Him

“Your silence isn’t giving me hope.”

Eric realized he had gotten lost in his thoughts. “I’m not sure what to do. A huge part of me wants to go with you, but I also don’t want to go to Jakk’s wedding. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Oh. Okay.” Oakley sounded crestfallen. “I guess maybe I could call someone else.”

Eric’s throat swelled so fast and hard, he lost his breath. The idea of Oakley spending that weekend with someone else made him feel sick. He felt worse at the thought of Oakley on a date than he did knowing his ex was about to marry someone else. That was his big ex too. The one he was supposed to marry. It should have been his wedding.

“Exactly how much work would I have to miss?”

There was a pause—like he had shocked Oakley. “We could leave after you get off work that Friday. The wedding is on Saturday. Then we could head back home on Sunday. So, maybe two days.”

“Hold on.” Eric picked up his phone and found his employee app for work. He opened it and pulled up his schedule. “My days off are always different. It looks like I’m already off that Sunday and Monday. So, I’d only have to miss one day. I think Cheryl would probably let me off that day too.”

“Are you being serious?” There was no missing the happiness in Oakley’s voice. “Will you really go with me?”

Ugh. How was he supposed to say no? He covered his eyes and tried not to cringe. “Yeah. I’ll go.”

“Woot!”

A smile exploded across Eric’s face at Oakley’s shout. “Maybe don’t get too excited. I’ll likely get blackout drunk and cry, even though I’m over it. I’m just bitter about my current circumstances.”

“I know.” It sounded like Oakley was still smiling. “I swear I won’t take it personally.”

Eric didn’t know why he would. They were just friends. Eric didn’t mean anything to Oakley. He didn’t mean anything toanyone. They had to talk about something else. “Tell me about your panels. I want to hear every detail.” Eric enjoyed listening to Oakley talk about himself. The pride in his voice when he talked about his career and the game he loved made Eric forget about the ugliness of the world.

Eric closed his eyes and listened to the cadence of Oakley’s voice. He blocked out everything else. In his head, he saw Oakley. His ridiculously light blue eyes always seemed to stare right into Eric’s soul. They were at such odds with his dark hair. Eric intentionally kept his mind from thinking about the guy’s amazing body. If Eric had been a different person, he would pursue Oakley like no one else ever had. But Eric was tired and used up. He had nothing to offer. There was a black hole where his heart used to be. It felt nice to have a friend, though. He had been alone for a long time, even when he had been with Jakk. For once, someone wanted his company. Eric would be there.

Chapter Two

To say Eric lookedlike he might be sick was a colossal understatement. Eric’s dark hair was on point and his clothes were perfect for the event. But his dark blue eyes looked like a scared rabbit searching for an escape. It was painful to watch such a big, cuddly-looking guy look so unsure. Oakley didn’t see any of the wedding from staring at Eric. He honestly didn’t think Eric was upset about Jakk marrying someone else. It was like he expected to get attacked for simply being there. As far as Oakley could tell, no one had even looked their way. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a trend that continued when they headed to the next banquet hall for the reception. Oakley immediately spotted two familiar faces headed their way.

Chipper was all smiles. The guy’s light brown eyes always swam with good humor. He gave Oakley a one-arm hug. Luckily, he kept it light. Chipper was an MMA champion. His arms were deadly. His gaze moved over Oakley before jumping to Eric and back again, as if he fought to point out the obvious. Oakley had brought Jakk’s ex to his wedding. “It’s been forever, man. How have you been? Who is your friend?”

Oakley bit back a laugh. Chipper was a huge player. It hadn’t occurred to him Chipper didn’t know Eric. His quick inspection of Eric had nothing to do with him being Jakk’s ex. The guy was always on the lookout for fresh meat. “This is Eric. Eric, Chipper.”

Eric shook Chipper’s hand. At least, he tried. Chipper brought Eric’s hand to his mouth. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

Oakley exchanged a glance with Jayme. He assumed the two were there together, but Jayme was straight. Jayme was one of Jakk’s teammates. A lot of athletes ran in the same circles. When Jayme’s gaze met Oakley’s, they rolled their eyes before going back to watching Chipper’s sad attempt at seducing Eric.

Eric took his hand back and stepped closer to Oakley.

Oakley’s chest swelled with pride. Maybe they weren’t a couple, but it was nice to dream. He motioned toward Jayme. “This is Jayme. He—”

“Plays on Jakk’s team,” Eric finished for him. “We’ve met. Of course, you probably don’t remember me, since I was‘just afriend.’” Eric didn’t do a good job of hiding his bitterness with those air quotes.

Jayme didn’t call him on it. “No. I remember. You were at one of our after parties. It’s nice to see again.”

“I’d very much appreciate if you would find your places at the dinner tables.”

They all turned at the interruption. Oakley nearly snorted. He would recognize Baylor’s snotty voice anywhere. The guy looked exactly like Oakley expected. He was ridiculously beautiful, as if polished by money. No doubt his services were astronomical.

Chipper was immediately distracted. “Well, hello. Who are you?” His gaze slid down Baylor’s tiny body. He left no doubt he would do anything. Oakley might have found it hot had that look been directed at him, but he knew Chipper too well. He wasn’t interested in that bullshit, and that was all a relationship with him would be.

Baylor looked every bit as uninterested. “Find. Your. Seat.”

“Damn, sexy. I love a bossy man.”

Green eyes narrowed on Chipper.

---