I was offering him. He deserved this and so much more.
As the color drained from his face, I quickly backtracked. As much as I wished he was back in my
arms, I didn’t want to trap him. The next time I held him, it would be because he gave himself
willingly. “I’m not proposing marriage or anything like that. All I’m asking is for a chance.”
“It’s…a lot.” That was an understatement. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.”
“Just a chance, Corey,” I reminded him. “That’s all. If I’m coming on too strong or pushing you for
more than you want, tell me. But don’t run just because you’re scared. I’m willing to take my time
with you, but I’m also old enough I don’t have time for games. You know where I’d like to see things
lead, now it’s up to you to admit if you want the same.”
Instead of waiting for his response, I walked away. That was so far from what I’d anticipated, and
I needed another drink. Just one more, because my nerves were even more rattled now than they’d
been before.
10
COREY
I BLINKED A FEW TIMES, MY MOUTH HANGING OPEN, AS I WATCHED WILLIAM WALK AWAY. I COULDN’T
believe he’d drop a bomb like that and then just walk. I stumbled back into the playroom, needing a
moment to focus. It was going to be a long night, even before William asked me to be his boy for the
exhibition.
I couldn’t believe he laid it all out like he had, telling me how he hoped things would continue
after tonight. Those words should have me jumping for joy, not trying to plan my escape.
Yeah, I was scared. Fucking terrified. The past few nights, I’d fallen asleep trying to imagine his
arms around me, his gentle words ghosting past my ear. Now, the opportunity had been laid on the
table for that to be a reality. And even though he’d said we’d start with just for tonight, he’d also
made it clear that wasn’t all he was looking for.
What was I supposed to do with that?
I collapsed in front of the building table and dumped out a tote full of blocks. Acid churned in my
stomach, as my head swam with all the reasons I’d told myself I couldn’t do this. I was a father. In
less than twenty-four hours, I would be sitting on the floor in my own home playing like this with my
girl. I tried to shut down what I knew, logically, was bullshit, but it didn’t work. I shoved the
container of building blocks away from me and stared at them.
