Page 11 of Announcing Love
The pair continued painting in silence while Tip made a video catalog of Artem’s artwork in the light and the dark under the black light. No one spoke. It was uncomfortable as hell, but Tip refused to back down. Artem deserved to have his work seen, and he doubted Artem had any plans of trying. Tip would help.
When he finished his task, he moved to Artem’s side and eyed the canvas. It was Medusa, but in the same style as the ship. She blended, yet somehow still clashed against the colorful background, as if raging against life. Artem blew him away.
“Can we talk?”
“Talk. No one’s stopping you.”
The bitterness in Artem’s voice hurt Tip’s chest. “I meant in private.”
Jathan dropped his brush in a bucket and took off his paint-stained apron. He hung it on a nearby hook before moving to Artem’s other side. “I have to get cleaned up and go. There’s still that thing tonight.” He never acknowledged Tip’s presence.
Artem nodded. “Text me and let me know how it goes.”
Jathan’s gaze slid Tip’s way for half a second before focusing on Artem again. “You too.” He kissed Artem’s cheek. “I’m just a call away if you need me.”
The way Artem smiled at Jathan had Tip contemplating whether he could take the guy in a fight. “Thank you for everything. I had a great time today.”
“Me too. Call me.”
With another quick peck on the cheek, Jathan finally left them alone. Tip was ready to tear off his skin. Artem still hadn’t looked at him, and Tip didn’t know how to navigate this. He didn’t understand why Artem made him act so out of character all the time. Now was no different. Tip snapped under the strain. In a flash, he held Artem’s jaw in a tight grip. He didn’t ask permission or give Artem time to argue. His mouth came down hard on Artem’s, refusing to be rejected or ignored. He half expected to get bitten or kneed in the groin. Artem simply stood like a statue in his grasp. Tip didn’t give up. Finally, Artem softened and shuffled closer. His arms encircled Tip’s neck when Tip’s hold changed, turning loving. The backs of Tip’s eyes burned. He really wanted this. Tip didn’t understand why he had done that shit earlier. Artem was amazing. Tip wanted to be with him. It was like the guy saw him too clearly or something and knew Tip wasn’t shit. Tip couldn’t hide from the way Artem saw the world.
He pulled away a hair. Just enough to brush noses with Artem. “I’m so fucking sorry. I don’t know why I acted that way earlier. Please don’t shut me out.” Tip felt sick just thinking about the way Artem had refused to look at him. He never wanted to feelthat way again. Tip still sort of felt that way because Artem hadn’t said anything.
“I’m getting paint on you.”
Despite everything, Tip caught himself smiling. “I don’t give a fuck. You can roll me around in paint if you say you forgive me.”
Artem leaned back, looking thoughtful. “You know. That could be fun. I could get one of those giant canvases and paint your body. Then you could roll on it. I’m really curious now how that would turn out.”
Tip couldn’t stop smiling. His arms refused to unlock from Artem’s waist. He stole another kiss because he couldn’t stop himself. Holding Artem, when he thought he wouldn’t again, made the truth fall out. It surprised Tip more than anyone. “You scare the hell out of me. I haven’t thought about anyone or anything else since the day we met. That’s not something that happens to me.”
“Meeting people you don’t know?”
He knew Artem was joking, but Tip wasn’t. “I’ve never wanted to keep someone as badly as I do you. But for the first time in my life, I don’t think I have a damn thing to offer. You don’t need me for anything at all and that makes me act ways I never have. I know I have to actually make you like me and I don’t think I’m very likable.”
He felt the last bit of tension leave Artem’s muscles. “I like you.” He hesitated. “When you’re not making me feel like shit about myself, that is. Before that, I loved spending time with you.” Artem’s expression turned uncomfortable. “I’m sorry I’m not like other people or what you expected. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to be the typical twenty-year-old college student, partying and sleeping around.” He visibly swallowed. “At least, I thought I wanted those things until I was finally free to do so. Then I realized I’m still not like anyone else. I don’t want those things.” He took a step back and motioned toward the mess of art supplies scattered everywhere. “This is what I want. Quiet and beauty. Peace.” He focused on Tip with an open vulnerability Tip didn’t deserve. “You.”
A lump lived in his throat when he was with Artem. He made Tip realize he lived a life he didn’t want. Tip looked at what he wanted. “Please give me another shot. I want to be with you. I know I don’t deserve it.”
“Okay.”
Tip blinked. That shouldn’t have been that easy. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t forgive me.”
A smile exploded across Artem’s face. “That’s why I’m forgiving you. I already know you won’t forgive yourself.”
Tip shook his head. He would never understand how Artem’s mind worked, and he was so fucking grateful for it. “Wanna go to dinner?”
Artem’s smile never dimmed. “Okay.”
The tightness in Tip’s throat and chest eased. Artem didn’t hate him. He still had hope left. His life wasn’t empty. Artem would make it better.
Chapter Six
DespiteArtemagreeingtogive him a second chance, Tip still had a knot in his stomach as he jogged up Artem’s front steps. They were coming along strong, even though Artem hadn’t done more than let Tip kiss him since their falling out. For the most part, he thought they would be okay, but then he had left town for two days and had gotten inside his own head. This was the first two days they had gone in a row without seeing each other since Artem agreed to give him a second chance. It was two days for Artem to think clearly without Tip to cloud his thoughts. Now Tip didn’t know what would happen when he saw Artem again. Maybe Artem would change his mind about them. Tip was hyperaware of how unsettled things felt since he hadn’t been brave enough to try a second time to get Artem out of his clothes. They had texted several times while he was gone,but Jathan probably texted with Artem every bit as much and that guy hated him. So far, Jathan hadn’t convinced Artem to boot him to the curb, but he also didn’t know if that was even something they talked about. Fuck, he couldn’t stand all these new insecurities. In his defense, Tip hadn’t truly felt free to date another man while playing professional sports. He had never hidden his sexuality, but he’d also never flaunted it. Tip hadn’t wanted to be known for being gay and nothing else. Now he was free, and he had this whole-ass relationship, and everything felt so real. They had actually made it a full six weeks, and that was incredible. It was also terrifying.
Bandit answered the door. His goofy smile was exactly the relief Tip needed. “Hey, man. Come in. Artem will be down in a minute.”
Tip stepped inside. “Hey. How are you? I feel like I just saw you yesterday.”
