Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“I’m already getting used to the taste. I think I kind of like it.”
When we collapsed onto the bed again together, both of us breathing hard, I said, “Okay, we might be able to come to an agreement.”
Then we laughed, held each other, and went to sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Ashton
Ashton MVP Carmichael brought his team all the way!
Okay, so it was embarrassing to admit, but I wanted to spend all my time with Beau.
When he wasn’t working, we were together. From practice to games to jogging together. I met him for lunch sometimes. We’d eat at a restaurant called Blazes across from the firehouse. People saw us together, of course, but I told myself they would think we were just two buddies hanging out. I wasn’t sure if I believed it. I was starting to feel more relaxed, safer.
When I stopped by the fire station, I couldn’t help but notice his work buddy Jace. I remembered him from the first time I’d come when he’d asked for my autograph. Jace was hot. He and Beau seemed to get along well. He was a whole lot more like Beau than I was—serious and responsible, and did I mention hot? It took me a while to realize I was jealous…jealous of some guy who worked with Beau, even though I didn’t even know if he liked men or not. The sudden insecure streak was pissing me off, but this was Beau, and I was in love with him, so I just wanted him to be mine, mine, mine.
So one day I’d found a way to bring Jace up, and found out he was straight. Not that it should have mattered. Being in love had short-circuited my brain.
Kenny and I hung out a few more times just the two of us. I went to dinner again at Beau’s mom’s. I felt like shit that I was forcing him to lie, to hide who we were, but I just couldn’t get past the fear. It wasn’t as if I thought his family would turn me away, that they would look at me differently. Beau hung the stars in their eyes, but no amount of logic could overpower cutting myself open like that, giving them access to who I truly was inside.
I only seemed to be able to do that with Beau.
It was a Sunday night, and Beau and I were at Fever Pitch. We’d been coming here for dinner more often. It had always been Beau’s favorite place, and I realized I liked the atmosphere too. Even though anyone who looked at Beau and me would only see a couple of friends sharing a meal and maybe a beer, it almost felt like we could be more ourselves there. That we were like any other couple, and that I wasn’t forcing him to hide. Yeah, Fever Pitch was in what Lincoln called the gayborhood, but it wasn’t as if the only people who went there were part of the LGBTQ community.
Across the booth, Beau took a sip of his beer. We’d ordered our drinks but not our food yet since Lincoln was on his way to meet us. Beau had told me that Lincoln had been giving him shit for not hanging out anymore. The last thing I wanted was to take Beau away from his friends, so I’d told him he should invite him to dinner.
“I remember the first night we saw you here. It was love at first sight for Linc. He was flirting shamelessly, and you couldn’t quit guzzling down beers to save your life,” Beau said softly.
“Story of my life.” He frowned, and I continued. “Come on, don’t pretend you didn’t notice alcohol was my Band-Aid.” I’d used it to get through too many sexual encounters to name…to try and hide my attraction to men…and to Beau.
“I noticed.”
“I know.”
“Is it something you struggle with? Something we should worry about?”
I liked the we in that sentence more than I cared to admit. Fucking Beau. He had me all tied up. “No. I’m not an alcoholic. How often do I drink right now? I could go months without drinking, but I enjoy sharing a beer with you. I used it before, yes, and sometimes drugs too, but I was never an addict.”
Beau grinned at me, but before he could reply, I heard, “The party’s started. I’ve arrived,” from Lincoln as he sat down in the booth beside Beau. He leaned over and kissed Beau’s cheek, and even though it was innocent—full of friendship and support and history—a stab of jealousy pierced my gut. I wanted to be able to kiss Beau in public. What the fuck was wrong with me that I couldn’t?
“Y’all look good. Especially you over there, Mister Sexy Football Stud.” Lincoln winked at me.
“Linc…” Beau warned.
“Hey! Leave the man alone. He speaks the truth!” I told Beau.