Page 27 of Announcing Love
“I swear I’ll make you happy.”
They were the most pointless words Artem had ever heard. He knew Tip. Tip would cut off his own arm before he failed anyone he loved. That was why it broke Artem’s heart how Tip’s family treated him and the way they had forced him to cut out his heart. Artem would make it better. He would love Tip so hard, he wouldn’t notice anything missing. Artem wanted what they lost. He would treasure Tip forever.
Chapter Eleven
Itwasabeautifulday. The temperature was perfect, and Artem had the best spot outside to set up easels. With the light of the day, they got to try something fun they had been planning for a while. With their easels back-to-back, they painted each other’s portraits. Jathan wasn’t good at it, but that wasn’t the point. It was supposed to be fun. They were supposed to get a good laugh out of the final project. He already knew Artem’s painting would be flawless, but that was cool. Artem never hesitated to humiliate himself on the pottery wheel. So they were even.
They had started taking turns visiting each other shortly after Artem’s move to the ranch. Jathan didn’t mind making the drive. Artem always showed up for him. No one else did that.While they had only been friends a little under a year, Artem had easily become his best friend. Jathan didn’t think anyone he knew—other than Artem—liked him that much. He was that friend on the outskirts. Jathan got invited, but no one cared if he actually came. No one sought him out. Artem was different. They had a lot in common and Artem never went more than two days without checking on him. He had missed three days of texting Artem once when he had the flu and Artem had shown up at his door, worried something had happened to him or that Jathan was mad at him. It felt great to be with him.
“Oh, damn, baby. That looks fantastic.” Tip appeared from nowhere and wrapped his arms around Artem.
Bitterness immediately washed over Jathan. That was the only downside of these visits. He wished Artem had picked a better guy.
“Are you sure? Something about the area over here just doesn’t feel right.”
Jathan kept his gaze on his canvas and his mouth shut. He couldn’t say Tip didn’t treat Artem like a king.
“He has a small scar under his left eye. That’s what’s missing.”
“Oh damn. You’re right.”
Jathan hummed inside his head, pretending he wasn’t there. A minute passed in silence, making Jathan hopeful Tip would leave soon.
“Why don’t you like me?”
Jathan’s chin shot up at the question. He hadn’t expected Tip to ask. They never spoke, but Tip stared at him directly, openly awaiting an answer. Jathan wasn’t one to back down. “You said I’m a mediocre player who doesn’t deserve to make the kind of money I do.”
Tip stared at him, blinking for a second before responding. “No, I didn’t.”
Jathan nearly growled at the denial. “Yes, you did. I was standing three feet from you. It was at that New Year’s Eve party the year before last.”
Tip blinked again. “That wasn’t me. I know exactly what you’re talking about. We were talking about how Ramirez got a contract extension from Phoenix, making him nearly the highest paid player. I said I couldn’t believe they offered that much for him since he really wasn’t that good. That guy, Sean from UE-TV Sports, is the one who responded that it was just like the Fireballs negotiating to keep you for millions when you were barely a mediocre player. But I don’t think that and even disagreed with him when he said it.”
It was Jathan’s turn to blink like an idiot. To be fair, his back had been turned when he had caught every word of that conversation. Tip’s version made more sense. “Oh. That doesn’t surprise me. The weekend before, I ran into Sean at Area 9. He felt me up and said I should join him in the bathroom so I couldget on my knees. I told him to go fuck himself because I wasn’t the one.”
Tip nodded, looking thoughtful. “That doesn’t surprise me. Sean’s always been a disgusting asshole who thinks everyone wants his dick. I don’t understand why he doesn’t hang out in places where people actually do that shit. He’s in the wrong crowd. No one I know wants to get on their knees in a public restroom. I don’t care how clean it is. That’s fucking gross.”
“Right?” Jathan felt so vindicated. “Plus, the guy is like five foot seven. If I got on my knees, I’d still be eye level with him.”
A gorgeous rumble of laughter nearby caught Jathan off guard. He glanced over to find a guy in a cowboy hat, working close enough to hear their conversation.
Tip used his moment of distraction to steal Artem. “Is it okay if I show you something in the barn real quick?” He looked at Jathan. “I’ll have him right back.”
Jathan shrugged. “That’s fine. It’ll delay him seeing this absolute shit show of a painting.”
Tip linked fingers with Artem.
Artem flashed him a smile. “I’ll be right back.”
Jathan nodded and went back to trying to fix the mess he had made.
“It’s actually not that bad.”
Jathan nearly jumped out of his skin at the softly spoken words. He glanced over. Cowboy hat guy was at his side. He was probably only two inches shorter than Jathan. That was a nice change. It got tiresome always looking down.
“Thanks. I mean, you’re lying, but still thanks.”
“Nah. You’re good. I could never do this.”
