Page 5 of Full Body Hit: Part 2
And wasn’t that a weird fucking thought?
“Right. Yeah, I have a big sister.”
Chase smiled. “That’s cool. I’ve always wanted a sibling.”
“Imagine someone you love, but that will also beat the living shit out of you.”
Chase laughed, a loud, sudden sound. “I mean, I guess Sammy fits that description.”
Auston snorted. “True. He’s skinny but wily.”
“I’d pay some serious money to watch him fight,” Chase mused.
“Oh yeah, and watch Noah combust.”
“Oh, my God.” Chase cackled. “That would be amazing.”
Auston couldn’t look away, mesmerised by the open lines of Chase’s body.
It hit him suddenly—this was the perfect moment to tell the truth.
Fear bubbled up, drowning out the words, leaving him with another type of confession.
“Hey…I wanted to say…I’m sorry. For the way I’ve been acting this season. Giving you such a hard time.”
It clearly caught Chase off guard, his eyes going wide. “No. I mean, thanks, but I know I could be doing better.”
“It’s not about that. I…” Fuck, this was hard. “I have some issues with subtle scents. Shit to do with my past—stuff I shouldn’t have put on you.”
“Oh.” Chase shrunk, shoulders collapsing into each other.
“There’s nothing wrong with your scent! Obviously. It’s me, yeah?Ifucked up.”
Chase nodded, but Auston could tell his words weren’t getting to him.
“Chase—”
“No, it’s okay. I mean, you’re also allowed not to like me, you know?”
“That’s not it,” Auston argued.
Chase smiled. Shrugged. “It’s fine. Hey, you wanna put on that podcast we were listening to the other day?”
Auston let the subject drift away, helpless.
Chase wasn’t going to believe him. Why should he, when the words were countered by months and months of Auston behaving like an idiot?
And there was the problem. Auston couldn’t bridge the gap between him and Aunix bytalking. He had to do it with actions.
But he needed time for that.
He had to undo the damage he’d dealt. Revealing that he was Aunix right now would be too much of a shock to end well. Would hurt Chase too much.
But what if Chase realised Auston could be good, too? That Auston didn’t hate him, didn’t think he was worthless?
Maybe then, they would have a chance.
It wasn’t like it would be manipulation. Auston wouldn’t belying. He would just be himself.ShowChase the truth instead of telling him.
