Eventually, we pull apart, even though I’m positive I could lie in this bed all day, doing just that, and be more than happy aboutit. But soon it’ll be three long weeks before we see each other again, so I’d like to spend as much time together as we can.
“How are you feeling about your season, and the fact that you’re definitely finals bound?” I ask Sterling, my fingers threading with his. I love the way our hands look together. The way our bodies look together. Two rough, gritty men.
Sterling winces, mouth turned down into a frown. “You sure you want to talk about this? I totally get if it’s a sore subj—”
“No, stop right there,” I reply, cutting him off. This isn’t the first time he’s been wary about talking about this with me, but I shut him down every time. I’ve noticed he’s fine discussing the individual events, but any time finals are brought up, he gets squeamish, like it may piss me off or hurt me. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and I need him to know that. “Yes, I miss competing, but of course, I want to hear about your feelings and your thoughts. I can be bummed for myself and still be happy for you. Which I am, and proud. This is your rookie season, and you’re fucking killing it. Never, ever feel like you can’t be open about that with me. Iwantto know it all. Iwantto be there for you. Cheer you on.”
He's quiet for a moment, as if he wasn’t expecting that response. And I get it. For the better part of this season, I’ve been a cocky asshole who cared more about winning than anything else, but I meant every word I said. His thumb rubs circles against the palm of my hand before he continues.
“Well, in that case, I’m feeling really freaking good. This season has exceeded any of my expectations, and it’s surreal to know that I’ll even get to compete in finals. I can’t believe it, but God, I’m nervous. Like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“You should be really fucking proud of yourself. Not many guys can come right out of the gate and do what you’ve done. Regardless of what happens at finals, or even the rest of this season, you’ve done so fucking well.”
His cheeks bloom red, but before he can respond, my phone goes off. Groaning, I roll over, grabbing it from where it’s charging on the nightstand.
“Hey, Cope. What’s up?”
“Where you guys at?”
“The hotel. Why?”
“Uh, because we’re supposed to be at the river in twenty minutes.”
Oh, shit.“Sorry, lost track of time.” Chuckling, I climb out of bed, looking around for some clothes. “We’ll get dressed and be there in a bit.”
“You’re killing me,” he groans. “Hurry up.”
Cope hangs up, and I toss my phone on the bed, meeting Sterling’s questioning gaze. “We’re all going rafting today, and I forgot.”
Laughing, Sterling says, “Of course, you did,” before tossing the covers off of himself and jumping out of bed.
Somehow, we’re able to get dressed, teeth brushed, bags re-packed, and out the door in ten minutes, racing over to the campsite to meet everybody else. The rafting place is only a few minutes from the campground, so by the grace of God, we’re on time, and you bet your ass I rub it in Cope’s face.
Everyone, aside from Boone and his family, is here. We rent a massive raft, hitting the waters after we strap ourselves into life vests and get a quick rundown of what to do and what not to do from the instructor who joins us on the river. Cope, Daisy, and I have all already done this before, but everyone else are rafting virgins. Sterling looksveryunsure and nervous, and it’s fucking adorable as he sits beside me on the raft.
The waters aren’t too rough today, just enough to make for an interesting and wet trip. The sun’s out, not a cloud in the sky, but being right on the river, the temperature is comfortable. We paid for a three-hour trip, and by the time we’re pulling upto shore, we’re all starving and Sterling is rocking a pink, sun-kissed nose.
After taking my helmet off, I set it on the table, going to do the same to him. Without thinking, I lean in and press a kiss to the tip of his burnt nose. “Somebody forgot their sunscreen.”
Huffing out a laugh, he rolls his eyes. “Shut up. I have fair skin, okay?”
“Uh…” Sterling and I turn our heads toward Colt, the source of the sound. “What the hell is happening?”
I hear Cope snort beside me, and it’s only then I realize what Colt’s talking about. My closeness to Sterling. The kiss. And I can’t help but laugh too. “Oh, shit. Surprise?” I mutter with a smirk and a shrug.
“You two?” he asks. “Since when? And who else knew about this?”
“I did,” Daisy chimes in, sounding mighty proud of herself.
“Me.” Cope raises a hand.
Glancing at Sterling, humor dances in his eyes. “Basically the whole season,” I say in response to Colt’s first question.
“Well, for the sake of full transparency, we technically met the night of finals,” Sterling corrects me, my dick twitching behind my pants at that memory.
“Well, fuck both of you for keeping that from me,” Colt grunts out, but there’s no fight behind his words. He’s giving us shit. “But this makes so much sense.”
I throw my head back and laugh, giving him the finger before we all head to grab some lunch.Well, that was easy enough.
