She says nothing, just huffs a small laugh.
I take it as an admission.
Within minutes, Paulie, Colton, and I are packing our things in the trunk and climbing into the car. As we pull away from the curb, I see my family standing on the porch, waving as we drive away. It’s something so familiar to me that I just casually throw my hand out the window. But Colton turns around and sends an eager one back. One that means something.
One that matters.
From the passenger seat, I glance over my shoulder and see him swipe at his eyes. He’s emotional about this.
He’s never had a loving family, I think as he meets my gaze.
“Thank you for letting me meet them. They’re lovely.”
“They are. And they really like you.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, the only person they like that much is Paulie.”
Colton huffs a small laugh and leans back, his eyes closing, his legs sprawling open.
I let my gaze rove down his chest to his groin before turning around and catching my best friend’s gaze. I see the approvalthere, and I swallow roughly. The fact that he likes the guy offers me a special kind of relief.
“Uh, so, you wanna tell me about you and Hailey?” I finally ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Nah. Nothing to tell,” he says softly, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “We’re just friends.”
That sad lilt in his voice makes my chest twist.
I know how that feels—the rejection, the disappointment. The shame of wanting someone so badly when they don’t want you back.
Having just gone through it this weekend when I thought Colton was cheating on me—with a beautiful woman, no less—makes me feel raw and exposed.
But neither of us delves into it, and before we know it, we’re pulling up to our apartment.
“I can bring you to your place if you want,” Paulie offers Colton, a question lingering at the end of his statement.
Colton blinks, his eyes tired. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to come up for a bit.”
“Yeah. Sure thing. Doesn’t matter to me,” Paulie replies and then hops out of the car, grabbing his bag and trotting up the stairs without looking back.
But I don’t move as fast. I just linger behind, grabbing my duffel from the trunk before shutting it. When I do, Colton is right there, his fingers toying with the end of my shirt. Inconspicuous in his movements, but I can feel it all the way through my skin.
“What do you want to do for the rest of the night?” I manage to ask.
“Wanna watch a movie and chill?” he suggests, stepping closer and twisting the end of my shirt around his finger. He tugs me close, the two of us just inches apart. Anyone could see this,how much I want him, but he doesn’t lean forward and kiss me. He just wets those lips and makes my cock half hard.
It’s been so long since he’s been inside of me.
I’m desperate for it.
“Does chill mean fucking?”
“Doesn’t have to. If you want it to, then yeah. I’ll take whatever you want to give me. I’m just so fucking glad I’m even here.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Yeah, all right. Let’s go to my room.”
We walk up the stairs side by side, and when we make it to my room, I toss my bag onto the ground and lock the door behind me.
