Page 29 of Overtime Goal
“Yes, but nothinghashappened.”
“I know, and it doesn’t have to. That was part of the deal.”
His green eyes were too bright, and he was still wringing his hands. “Right, but I hurt you by how I reacted the next morning.”
“You did, but that was then. I thought we were moving past it.”
“I’m still hurting you.” He shook his head, making his hair fall over his eyes. “And I don’t want to.”
My pulse ticked up. “I don’t understand. How are you still hurting me? Have you lied about something?”
Now he was picking at a fingernail. “No. Well, I haven’t lied, but I haven’t been completely honest either.”
I nodded. “Okay. Say what you need to, even if it’ll be hard for me to hear. I’m not going anywhere unless you want me to.”
He let out a slow breath. “I’m glad to hear that.”
We were quiet while a clock in the living room chimed, and when he looked into my eyes, the world tipped sideways. He was so fucking beautiful it hurt. From the first day I met him, all breathless and cocky, trying to play it cool, I’d felt the pull. He must have too, because Riley the Rookie attached himself to me like I was the only person who could show him how to survive in the league.
He was friends with Holky too, and they became the Wild Warrior Pair on social media. Riles and I had moreof a mentoring relationship, but somewhere along the way, it changed. We became friends and started spending a lot of time together. Before I knew it, I wanted him in ways that complicated everything. At first, I’d thought it was a temporary crush. I tried to let it go because he was a young straight guy who dated models, partied with actresses, and never looked back when he left a room. In other words, he was a heartbreak waiting to happen.
Although my crush didn’t let up, I got it under control, at least until that night in LA. What we did then shattered everything I thought I knew about us. We hadn’t had sex since then, and he still flirted with women like it was second nature, but I couldn’t ignore what we’d shared. The searing heat and intense desire burned in my memory. I’d never forget how he held onto me, like an anchor that could keep him from falling.
As much as he’d enjoyed it, he had to be bi. But that didn’t matter if he didn’t want to be with me. He was still interested in women, something that would never change, so I needed to keep myself in check. I couldn’t get carried away again unless he was ready to meet me halfway.
He cleared his throat. “You get kind of weird sometimes, and I think I finally put it together. It’s usually…”
I raised an eyebrow.
“It’s usually when women are around,” he said. “I’m straight, but you and I like each other. We spend a lot of time together, and…Fuck it.Are you afraid that if I start dating, I won’t have time for you? Or that I’d pull away if I got a girlfriend?” His voice softened. “I can say the same thing you did, Logan. I won’t go anywhere unless you want me to.”
I pursed my lips and chose my words carefully. “You’ve dated women since I’ve known you, and I’ve dated a few men. It’s never stopped us from being friends.”
“It hasn’t. But we’d never… you know, had sex. That changes things.”
“It does.”
“Is that why it bothers you when I flirt with girls now?”
He was being honest, and I owed him no less. I lifted my head and met his eyes. “Yes, but it isn’t like I didn’t want you before we had sex. I’ve always been attracted to you, but I tried to ignore it because I thought you were straight.”
He tilted his head. “Are you still attracted to me? Do you still want me?”
My stomach twisted into a knot. I didn’t know what would happen if I said yes, but I couldn’t lie. “I do. And I know I get weird when you flirt, but I don’t think it’s because you’re talking to women. I’d be jealous of anyone you flirted with.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “I still want you too. I’m so fucking sorry I’ve made you uneasy. I didn’t mean to, and I’m… I’d like it if we had sex again.”
My heart leapt, then stumbled just as quickly. I wanted to pull him into my arms and never let go, but what if he didn’t realize what he was saying?
A muscle twitched under my eye. “If you’re serious, I’d like nothing better.”
“Totally serious. We’ve talked about how much we like each other, and this is a way we can show it. We both have needs.” He winced and held up a hand. “Shit, that came out wrong. I’m not saying I want to sleep with you just to get off, and I don’t want it to be casual. I need you, and whatever is going on, we can’t let it go without finding out what it is.”
“I need you too.” My voice cracked on the words. “So much it fucking hurts.”
He nodded. “Okay. There’s one thing we need to be clear on, though.”
What the fuck is it now?I nodded for him to go on.
