Page 27 of Tameron

But since the military had never been an option for us, I never thought twice about it. “Was that for boot camp?” I asked him.

He shrugged. “Yeah, then deployment. Trust me when I say there is no privacy, and the nights get long and lonely. I wouldn’t have minded being more deaf back then.”

I couldn’t help my laugh. It was the look on his face and the dry way he spoke. I knew nothing would ever happen between us, but I liked Tameron as a friend too. A lot. And I was feeling better now that he wasn’t so furious with me all the time.

His lips twitched into a little pleased half-grin. “So, do you have a date?”

I snorted and shook my head. “I am still tragically single. I was going to hook up. It’s not as easy these days with all the apps, but yeah. All on my lonesome—for part of the night, anyway.”

I reached for my shoes and began to tie them.

Tameron looked thoughtful as he watched. “If you want some company, I’ve been told I’m a pretty good wingman. Of course I haven’t tried since”—he tapped the back of his left ear—“but no one can hear for shit in clubs anyway, right?”

My face fell. “Oh. That’s a really sweet offer, but?—”

“Never mind,” he said in a sudden rush. “Bad idea. Forget it.” He turned away to face the lockers, so fixing this sudden problem was more complicated.

I stood, gently tapping his arm until he turned his face toward me. “I would love it if you came with me, but I’m not going to a regular club.”

His brows lifted and his cheeks pinked. “Is it like…a kink club, or?—”

“No!” Not that I hated those either, but it wasn’t my lifestyle, so I’d only ever gone with partners who were into it. And honestly, tonight, I just wanted a nice blowjob or a firm, strong hand on my dick. “No, I, uh…I was kind of in the mood to hook up with a man.”

“Okay,” he said slowly, tone confused.

“So the club’s going to be queer.”

He blinked, then rolled his eyes. “Dude. You think I care? I can wingman at a gay club.”

I was a little startled. “But once I find someone, there’s not exactly going to be a lot of prospects for you.”

He scoffed and turned to sit back on the bench to put his own shoes on. “Yeah, I haven’t really been in the mood for that, so it wasn’t on my mind. But it’s totally fine if you don’t want company. I mean, I doubt you need the help.” He gestured at my stomach and my insides went all hot.

I swallowed heavily. “You’d be surprised these days. And I’d love it if you came with me.”

Tameron brightened for a second, then his face fell. “Is this a pity invite?”

I sat beside him and lifted a brow. ‘Square-brain-you,’ I signed. I wasn’t sure he understood the exact sign, but he definitely got the context because his face reddened and he looked like he was on the edge of picking a fight with me. “You have to stop assuming everyone only wants you around for pity. I like you, Tameron. I enjoy your company, and I’d love a second set of eyes to make sure I don’t walk off with a total dud.”

He bit his lip, glanced down, then looked up at me with his big, lovely eyes. “What does this mean?” He repeated the sign, and I laughed before standing and winking.

“Ask your teacher. Then use it on me when I deserve it. Text you later?”

Tameron’s face looked like he couldn’t decide how to feel before his shoulders sagged. But though his mouth wasn’t set in a smile, it was far more relaxed than it usually was with me. And that was definitely progress. “Sounds good. See you soon.”

I felt a thousand times lighter as I turned and left the gym.

CHAPTER NINE

TAMERON

What in the name of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and all his carpenter friends had come over me, offering to be Dayton’s wingman? It must’ve been temporary insanity. What else could explain why I had made that impulsive decision?

Sure, after he’d helped me with my ASL assignment, I’d come to the conclusion that maybe he wasn’t so bad after all. That maybe I’d been wrong about him and his motives and that he truly wanted to be friends with me. Though why he’d made such an effort with a prickly cactus like me was a mystery, but that was his problem.

He’d plain worn me down with kindness, and while that was incredibly annoying to admit, it had been effective. Meeting his brother hadn’t hurt either. Dax had been so nice and supportive with his offer that I could come to the shop anytime and tinker with cars. I had to admit it was tempting. The lack of direction and purpose in my life was starting to bother me. This could be a good distraction, and since Dax was Deaf, it would also be excellent practice for me.

Hmm, maybe I should ask Nash what he thought. As much as I liked riding his ass about kinda being the Daddy for all of us, the truth was that I valued his opinion more than anyone else’s.

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