Page 61 of Bump and Run
“I’m not here to hurt Jones again.”
Ollie popped a brow at me.
“I’m here for my career, but I’m also here to win him back. I don’t know why he let me back in, invited me to stay with him during the off week, but I’ll take it. I will gladly accept anything he offers me. No matter how big or small.”
The soft sounds of bare feet caused us both to turn toward the doorway.
“Charlie, are you—Oh, hey.” Jones flushed bright red. He had put on a pair of loose-fitting shorts, and an oversized t-shirt that hung off his shoulder that suspiciously like one of mine. “Wait, are you two actually being civil to one another?”
Ollie nodded. “Trying.”
“What happen to your lip?” Jones gasped. “Ollie, please tell me that Kit didn’t do that. I thought you were going to talk to him about that. You can’t keep letting him do this to you. It’s not right.”
Ollie’s eyes went wide as he looked in my direction. “Uh...” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Could we maybe discuss this later?”
Whatever was going on between him and Kit Atkins was clearly a disaster. And none of my business. Only if it was going to upset Jones, I might have to make it my business.
“I should let you two talk.” I started to move, but Jones grabbed my arm. His hazel eyes begged me to stay. “Bashful, I’ll be right outside.”
Ollie coughed. “I can go. You two have a lot to figure out.”
“Stay,” I told him. “Talk with your best friend, Jonesy. I’ll go and sit by the pool. Come find me when you’re done.”
Jones nodded and then he kissed me. His smaller frame pressed against mine, his hands tangled in my hair, and his tongue in my mouth. When he pulled away, he gave me a shy smile.
“Please don’t leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Bashful.” I leaned forward. “I love you.” My lips brushed his ear, and he shivered against me.
Jones beamed up at me when I pulled back, his hazel eyes sparkling with happiness. “I love you, too, Charlie.”
***
“I brought you a coffee,” Ollie grumbled as he held out the mug.
When I took it, he sat down next to me on the edge of the pool and slipped his feet into the water. “So, you might have some questions.”
I shook my head. “It’s none of my business.”
“I know, but fuck...” he muttered under his breath, and I snickered. “Yeah, I’ve picked up some habits that I’m not proud of. Some of my coworkers are pretty vulgar.”
I could feel Jones watching us from inside the house. The heat of his gaze, the hope that Ollie and I might get along again. I couldn’t blame Ollie for being angry with me.
“It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. Don’t apologize on my account.”
“Kit and I have a complicated relationship.” Ollie dragged his foot through the pool, the sun glistening off the water. “We’re together, but he’s not out. Like at all. He’s so far in the closet that I’m afraid he’s never going to come out.”
I tilted my head. “And he hits you?” I found that strange, considering Kit was on the smaller size. He had a temper, though, and that was what usually got him in trouble. Screaming at the other drivers, yelling at his teammates, heseemed like a complete hothead. The fans loved to love and hate him, and Kit happily stepped into the part of the villain.
“Um, I’d rather not talk about that part.” Ollie’s ears burned pink. “Look, I know how this looks, but Kit hates himself. He hates who has to pretend to be, this cocky playboy. He’s not like that. He’s sweet to me when he wants to be. He cares about me. He’s just... confused.”
That was all kinds of messed up. “That doesn’t make it right, Ollie. Love shouldn’t be like that”
“You won’t say anything, will you? To anyone or to Kit? Please? When he’s ready, we’ll tell the world, but until then, could you just keep this a secret? For me? I can’t lose him,” Ollie whispered, his gaze still on the water.
“Yeah, of course,” I assured him.
Jones rushed out onto the patio, then, a cup in one hand and a big smile on his face. He pushed his way in between his best friend and me, leaning his head on my shoulder. “It’s such a beautiful day.”
