Page 15 of Cherry Picking
“He was in an accident.”
I half turn in this strange hold his arms have on me, looking up at the sadness marring that smile I can’t get enough of.
“Is he alright?”
He chuckles and ruffles a hand in my hair, but instead of falling away, it grips on the back of my neck like an anchor.
“He’s fine. Still has big dreams. It gave him a new lease on life, I guess. Gave him the motivation he needed to get out of this rinky dink town and find something better.”
I know the heartbreak in his voice. Intimately.
I’m sorry, I can’t.
Neither can I, Griffin.
You learn a lot about yourself and the world when you fall in love. When you keep that love buried until it grows thorns and poisoned leaves, and you’re forced to bleed out or cut yourself free.
I’ve laid on the ground until my secrets threatened to suffocate me, until it became me or them.
Live or die.
“Sounds like you lost your best friend.”
His smile is unwavering, even as I get to my knees and grip onto the thickness of his thighs.
“I guess I did.”
I give him my own lopsided smile and lean in, tipping my chin up and earning me a questioning brow raise.
“So, I’m your rebound friend.”
A softness takes over his features, and then his forehead thunks against mine. He breathes in deep, gripping my neck and pulling me in so his beard scratches the stubble on my cheek.
Cut yourself free or disappear into the overgrowth.
“You make it impossible not to want you, Griff.”
My fingers slide up his thighs to find the stiff outline of an erection pinned down one leg.
“I think I’ve made it pretty clear you can have me.”
I don’t take things any further. The ball is in his court. I won’t be anyone’s secret, but I can be their fun time. Maybe just this once.
“I can’t,” he whispers, dropping his hold on me and leaning away. He covers his hard-on with his hand and looks off to the side. “But I could really use that friend.”
I feel the desperation, the ache for a closeness of someone who wants nothing more from you than your company. Who isn’t asking for more than you can give. For more of yourself than even you’re able to grasp.
I can do that. I can shut off the physical attraction—or at least the part of me that has been half-heartedly acting on it.
We can be roommates.
We can be teammates.
We can be friends.
If that helps heal whatever part of himself he’s been warring with, then at least I know I’m good for something on this team.
“Then, you’ve got me, Riles.”
