Page 264 of Releasing 10
“You should stop,” he protested weakly, only to lean in closer and bare his throat to me. “Christ, don’t ever stop.”
I didn’t plan to.
Not until I left my mark on him, at least.
HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIOS AND THE TOP 1 PERCENT
Hugh
SEPTEMBER 2, 2002
“ABOUT FUCKING TIME, BIGGS,” COACHMULCAHY BARKED WHENI FINALLY JOINEDhim and the rest of the team on the bus. “Jesus Christ, I thought I would have to send a search party out for my fly half.”
“Sorry for being late, Coach,” I mumbled, climbing the steps of the bus. “It won’t happen again.”
“Yes, well, considering you’re usually always on time, I’ll let it slide,” he grumbled, hands planted on his hips. “But don’t make a habit of this.”
“Thanks, Coach,” I replied, making a beeline for the aisle.
“Hold up.” Clamping a hand on my shoulder, he pulled me back to face him. “You’re all right, aren’t ya, Biggs?” Concern filled his tone. “You’re not feeling sick or anything?”
“I’m grand, sir.”
His eyes studied mine for a long beat before he shook his head and released me. “All right then, Biggs. Go take your seat.”
“Did someone skip breakfast this morning?” Feely snickered when I collapsed onto the seat beside him “Holy fuck, lad, she ate the neck off ya.”
You have no idea. Knees bopping restlessly, I exhaled a shaky breath and strived to calm my nerves. “I’m in so much trouble, lad.”
“With Coach?”
“No, not Coach,” I spat, turning to gape at him. “With her, Pa, withher.”
Instead of offering support to a friend in need,myfriend decided to laugh into my face. “I thought you’d be delighted to finally have your girlfriend join Tommen.”
“Iamdelighted,” I choked out, eyeballing him. “I’mtoodelighted.”
“There’s no such thing as being too delighted, lad.”
“There is when you have a girlfriend that looks likemine.” Feeling panicked, I bit down on my fist and whispered, “Did you see her in that uniform?”
“Is that a trick question?” my best friend replied, instantly wary. “If I say yes, are you going to rage at me for looking?”
“Youdidsee her in that uniform,” I strangled out, burying my head in my hands. “How in the name of Jesus does she walk with those stilts for legs?”
“No clue, Hugh, but they are, by far, the sexiest stilts for legs I’ve ever seen.”
“Not fucking helping, lad.”
“My apologies.”
“She wants me.”
“Yeah, Hugh, that’s generally how it goes when you’re in a relationship.”
“No.” I turned to look at him again. “I mean shewants mewants me.”
“Relax, will ya?” Feely laughed, patting my shoulder. “You have the self-control of a eunuch monk.”
