“Yeah, I went back to his place,” Parker said after a short pause.
“And nothing happened?”
“Well, not exactly nothing. But we didn’t have sex.”
“Why the fuck not? Rafe is everything you salivate over in a man. He’s gorgeous. Ask all the HOs out there.”
“HOs?”
“You know? Fans of HyperOctane? They’ve shortened it to the initials, so the fans are HOs. A bit like Directioners?”
“Huh?”
“Beliebers? Beyonce’s Beehive?”
“HO’s? You’re serious?”
“As cancer. You need to get on social media more.”
“Are you stalking the band?” Parker asked with a laugh.
“Maybe.”Oh, if you only knew.“But enough about me, back to you and Mr. Voice-that-melts-your-panties.”
Parker snorted. “There is no me and Rafe, at least…”
“At least, what?”
“Look, I’m attracted to him. Like high-voltage electric sparks kind of attraction.”
“So, what’s stopping you then? I thought you were determined to have a good time this trip and to get over that ex of yours. A quick roll in the hay is exactly what you need.”
“Did it work for you?”
That took the wind out of Bo’s sails, because look at him. He’d done his best to fuck away his broken heart but he was no closer to forgetting.
“Listen, I’m not slut-shaming you,” Parker continued. “You can have all the sex you like, but did it achieve what you wanted it to achieve?”
“If you’re referring to orgasms then yes.” He so didn’t want to have this conversation.
“You know—“
“I’m not saying you have to jump into bed with every man that shows an interest.”
“Here’s the thing.” Parker said, thankfully moving on from Bo’s sex life and back to his own. “I’m okay with having a one-night stand, in principle at least. I’m just not sure that Rafe is the right person.”
“Are you kidding?” Rafe was everything Parker looked for in a guy—physically at least. Bo had hardly exchanged two words with the guy so couldn’t comment on his personality.
“He’s just… he reminds me of…” Parker sighed. “It’s too close to home. I don’t want to fall into another situation where I can get hurt.”
“I think that’s a conversation for another time, but think about this, Parker. You deserve a bit of fun and you sure as hell deserve a bit of slap and tickle.”
“Slap and tickle? Who the hell says that?”
Bo ignored him. “You’re in Sydney for a short period of time. The band fly out in… What? A week? Everything ends then anyway. How much can happen in that short period of time? Surely not enough to break your heart.”
“Bo—“
“Just give it some thought, Parker. You deserve to have a good time and not deny yourself happiness. Grab it while you can.” God, he wished he’d taken his own advice.
