Page 60 of Topping the Jock
I took a step back, the smile not leaving my face. “I saw a funny meme earlier about gay gladiators. Reminded me of you. I’ll send it to you later.”
“Can’t wait,” he dryly said. But the excitement I felt in my chest reflected in his eyes. He could pretend all he wanted to be uninterested, but I knew he was happy. Just like me.
I left his classroom and went to the teachers’ lounge to heat my lunch in the microwave. Then I pulled out my phone and sent him the meme I’d told him about.
Quinn:You’re a moron.
Me:I bet you laughed though!
Quinn:You’ll never prove it.
Earlier, he had said he’d fallen for me. As I smiled at his message with my heart fluttering like crazy, I knew, without a doubt, I’d fallen for him too.
Chapter Twelve
Quinn
“The guy has seen your bare ass,” Reed said from the living room as I changed out of my third outfit. I couldn’t decide what to wear. “Why are you so freaked about a little date?”
“Because it’s Monty fucking Adams,” I responded, opening my bedroom door and walking out to him after trying on outfit four, a gray button-up shirt and dark-wash skinny jeans. “What do you think?”
Reed sat on the couch, glass of wine in hand and his long legs crossed. “I think you need a chill pill. Smoke some pot and calm down.”
“I’m not getting high before my date. Now. Does this look okay?”
“You look great, Beck.”
“Are you sure?”
“What are you, a teenaged girl?” Reed placed his wine on the coffee table and stood up. He walked over and grabbed my shoulders, his hazel eyes amused. “Stop doubting yourself. You look amazing. You smell even better. Monty’s gonna love you.”
“Love is too strong a word,” I said, as my heart jolted. “We barely know each other.”
“It was a figure of speech.” Reed laughed. “God. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this way about a guy. Youreallylike him.”
“No I don’t,” I lied. “I tolerate him.”
“You can lie to the world, Beck, but you can’t fool me with that bullshit. I’ve known you too damn long.”
My skin heated, and my throat was suddenly dry. “What would you say if Ididlike Monty? Like really like him.”
Reed pursed his lips as he thought. “I guess I’d say if you’re happy, I’m happy. Simple as that.”
“Even though he was a bully? His friends gave you hell too just for being my friend.”
“Areyouthe same person you were in high school?” Reed asked. “’Cause I know I’m not. I was closeted back then and upset a guy I really liked because I wasn’t ready to come out. We’ve all done shitty things in the past. Monty is no exception. I haven’t met him now, but from how you talk about him, I get the impression he’s different these days.”
I recalled the gentle way Monty held me after sex and how tender his kisses were in his office yesterday morning. He made me laugh and seemed to genuinely care about me. And ever since I’d been reunited with him beginning of August, he’d been nothing but nice to me. It wasn’t fair for me to hold something over his head that happened a decade ago.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I finally said.
“Know how else I can tell he’s a good guy and that you’re into him?” Reed asked.
“How?”
He poked my cheek. “Your face lights up when you talk about him.”
I swatted his hand away. “My face doesnotlight up.”
