Page 104 of Mr. Picture Perfect
With a smile on my lips and just a pinch of fear in my heart, I reach back and flick off the nightlight. In the pure darkness of his bedroom, the sound of our soft breaths lost to the sheets, I realize I have never felt more safe in the dark than I do right now, with Cole wrapped tightly in my arms.
Chapter 18
Noah
I inspect Cole’s arm as he stands before the mirror shirtless. “It’s practically gone,” I tell him as I run my fingers across the soft, smooth skin. “Like it never happened.”
“The wound might’ve healed, but itdefinitelystill happened,” says Cole, turning from the mirror to face me. “It’s why we’re all here. It’s why I’m standing in front of this mirror. It’s why …” The confidence drains from his eyes. “It’s why I’m not wearing a shirt.”
This is the third time since arriving that he’s started to spiral. “You’re going to be great, Cole. Amazing. The whole opening part ran smoothly, didn’t it? And the question section, well, that won’t actually happen until the day of the event, but I think you’ll nail it. You’re great on your feet. This is just the rehearsal. Everyone’s supposed to feel awkward the whole time. You remember what Tamika said? Theatre’s her thing. This is normal.”
He frowns. “But I’m not an actor. And I’m not a showboating model. I’m …” His eyes drift down to the Speedos he’s got on. He lets out an exasperated laugh. “I’m notanykind of person.”
I find myself surprised by his fear right now. Cole has always been the brave one who leads the way. He never trembled at the idea of being in front of so many people in just a few short days. But the closer it looms, the more I see the change in him. The way his eyes gloss over. The way his throat constricts when he talks. And he’s been doing this weird thing lately where he stares at me for too long without blinking, then his left eye starts twitching.
There’s a knock at the door. “Cole?” comes Tamika’s voice.
I quickly dive behind one of the clothing racks, hiding. Cole appears to find that strange, chuckles, then comes up to the door. “Yes?” he calls out.
“They’re about to start the swimsuit part,” she says. “Are you dressed yet? Need another five?”
“Just another minute’s all I need,” he calls back with a smile. “Thank you so much, Tamika.”
“Take your time. Anthony’s being a fussy baby down the hall. Something about the color of his swimsuit. Ugh. Am I getting paid enough for this?” She lets out a laugh and walks away.
Cole takes a breath to calm his nerves, then faces the clothing rack, where he finds my face between two shirts. He cracks a smile. “Why are you hiding?”
“I just … It’s …” I come out from behind the rack. “Uh, no one knows I’m here with you. I told them I needed a bathroom break, so they probably think I fell in. They’ll send someone to spelunk me out of the toilet if I don’t get back soon.”
He smiles. “I’ll be fine, Noah. You can go if you need to.”
“Are you sure?”
“Completely.”
I take a step away from the clothing racks. “Okay.”
He smiles at me, then fishes around for his shirt. He struggles to put it on, the sleeves tight on his arms. Then I watch his fingers shaking as he tries to do up the buttons.
I quickly come to him and take over with the buttoning. Cole watches me, gnawing on his lip, then whispers, “Thank you.”
I finish, then look him in the eyes. “You’re going to be great. Think of how fun it’ll be, coming out in a shirt, everyone thinking you’re the modest one, and then …” I make the gesture. “You rip it off and reveal your sexy Speedos. The crowd goes crazy. You have officially entered everyone’s spank bank.”
Cole snorts, then squints at me. “I’m not sure ‘spank bank’ is a term I ever thought I’d catch you using.”
I frown at him. “Why not?”
He chuckles, then tilts his head. “So you think they’re sexy? These tiny things they’ve got me wearing?”
“Of course. Objectively sexy.”
He takes hold of my shirt and tugs me toward him, surprising me. Our hips come together. “You thinkI’mobjectively sexy?”
I give him a look. “I think anyone who claims not to have a totally human reaction to looking at you is …” I squirm. “… a liar.”
He finds that funny, his face lighting up. “I’m so lucky you’re here with me.”
“You did insist on inviting approximately no one to the dress rehearsal today to support you,” I remind him, “unlike Dean and Anthony, who have people out there in the audience, so … I guess that makes me your only guy.”
