Page 49 of Overtime Goal
He pulled the cup away from his mouth. “What? Why are you asking?”
“Just curious. I’m gay, so I’ve never figured out what men see in women that makes them hot. I can tell she’s pretty.”
“She’s pretty hot,” he said, chuckling at his own joke before finishing his cappuccino. When he set the cup down, his expression changed. The smile disappeared, and he scrunched his forehead into deep creases.
“I think she’s into you,” I said.
He nodded. “Probably, but that doesn’t mean I’m?—”
“Do what you need to, Riles.” My stomach balled into a knot, but I forced myself to go on. “Like I said before, I know you’re attracted to women. It’s a part of you, the same way wanting men is for me. I don’t want you resenting me because you feel like I’m standing in your way.”
“Okay,” he said, then looked toward the sea. “I’ll keep that in mind.” After a long moment, he turned back and met my eyes. “But I don’t want Giorgia like that. She’s friendly, and I was only trying to be the same since we’ll be seeing her every day.”
“That makes sense.” My stomach didn’t relax. I believed him, but if not Giorgia, it would be someone else. After seeing him with women for years, I had a clear idea of what to expect.
He leaned across the table, looking uneasy. “We came on vacation together, and I want to be with you.”
I nodded but said nothing.
“Logan?” He tilted his head. “Do you want to find men here? Is that why you came?”
Why the hell would he think that?“No. I asked you to come along because I want to spend time with you. It’s just that…” I wondered if I’d taken what Riles said the wrong way. Maybe he hoped I’d be interested in other men so he wouldn’t feel bad about picking up women. “Goddammit, why is this so hard?”
He used his hand to signal me to keep my voice down. “I think you’re reading into this situation,” he half-whispered. “It doesn’thaveto be hard. Do you want to spend the day with me or not?”
“Yes.” I was almost confused enough to cry. “I’d like that more than anything.”
The lines on his forehead relaxed, and he gave me a smile that started melting the tension in my gut.
“Then try to stop worrying so much,” he said. “We’ll have a great time.”
I glanced inside where Giorgia was mopping the kitchen. Picking up my cappuccino, I said, “I’ll finish this, then let’s head to town. We’ll have to save the other thing for later.”
He gave me a dubious grin. “As long as we don’t wait too long.”
I finished my coffee, and my phone buzzed before I set the cup down.
GABE: You made it safely? I stopped by to check on your house, and everything looks fine there.
Since Gabe and I both lived in Williamsville, we kept an eye on each other’s places when one of us was gone for a while.
LOGAN: Got here just fine. Positano’s going to be a great place to relax. Thanks for checking the house.
GABE: No worries. You and Riley are there together, right?
We hadn’t told anyone that, not that I wouldn’t have loved to. Gabe was my oldest friend on the team, but if I told him, it wouldn’t be long before everyone knew.
LOGAN: Sorry, someone’s here. Talk soon.
He could make of that what he would.
After quick showers, we put our beach clothes into canvas bags and slung them over our shoulders. The path to town consisted of winding trails broken up by ancient stairs cut into the cliff, the stone worn smooth by centuries of feet. Although the sun beat down from a flawless sky, a sea breeze took the edge off the heat. The salty air was alive with scents of lemon, lavender, and sweet wisteria.
Riley wore a loose white linen shirt and blue shorts that showcased his muscular legs and ass. Aviator sunglasses were a dashing touch. I struggled to keep my eyes off him as we joked our way down toward the water.
The amazing sex we’d had the night before was never far from my mind, and I couldn’t help fantasizing about what it could mean.Couldwas the keyword. After watching him flirt with the housekeeper, I wasn’t sure where things stood.
The conversation after she’d gone inside hadn’t settled much. In fact, it left us with more questions than answers. The only certainty was that we wanted to be together today. Even that came with an ache because I couldn’t stop wondering about tomorrow. I had the sense I hadn’t said what he needed to hear.He hadn’t given me what I was hoping for either, though I wasn’t even sure what that was anymore.
