I managed a smile.“Yeah, I trust you but, you know, at this point, I’m done worrying.If you do tell someone, don’t sweat it.”
“I had guessed about you, actually.”
“Yeah?How?”I straightened, wondering what part of my eighteen-plus-year facade I’d fucked up.
“Last year.”Bubs shrugged.“I saw you a couple of times right here in this gym, looking at—” He cut himself off and nodded toward the front doors.“Him.”
I stared at the lobby area.Sure enough, there was Miles, dressed in athletic wear but not the shorts and sleeveless T-shirt he usually wore to work out.He was peering around the gym, and the moment his gaze met mine, he began working his way between the machines toward me.
Bubs tapped my shoulder with his fist.“Gonna go do some cardio.Good luck.”
I didn’t ask how he knew I needed luck, just nodded my gratitude.
Bubs passed Miles in between the rowing machines, giving him a sharp look, but as far as I could tell, no words.Miles ignored him and jogged my way.When he reached me, he didn’t stop, though.Instead, he gestured with his head farther down the hallway.I closed my open mouth and followed him back out of sight of the main floor.
Halfway to the men’s room, Miles glanced around and then said, “Hey, Logan.”
“Shouldn’t you be at school?”I asked.
“It’s my lunch period.”
“At eleven in the morning?”
He spread his hands.“What can I say, the schedule’s insane.But yeah, first lunch.I couldn’t get you off my mind all morning.I tried to text, but you weren’t answering.”
“My phone’s in my locker.”I didn’t tell him it was to avoid the temptation that was googling Miles Buckner.
“Ah.I thought I’d check the gym on the off chance you were here.”
“Okay.Here I am.Now what?”
Miles tilted his head as if trying to puzzle out something about me.“We need to talk.Not now, not here, but somewhere.”
“What, your fiancée isn’t enough to keep you busy?”
Miles’s eyes widened.“I guess you haven’t seen any of the video of Avery that’s trending.”
“Nope.”I folded my arms.“Why don’t you give me the TL;DR?”
The grin I’d remembered and craved spread across Miles’s face.“Okay.Avery’s dad is an asshole, Avery’s a lesbian, and she’s engaged to Rachel.”
My heart stuttered.“What?YourRachel?”
“Yep.”
“So how the fuck did she end up also engaged to you?”
Miles’s grin softened.“It’s a long story.Can I tell it to you?Later?”
A young guy came out of the bathroom and passed between us with a curious glance at Miles.
When he was gone, Miles said, “I have basketball after school, but we’re done by six.If I call you, will you pick up?”
“Yes,” I agreed.“Sure.”I owed him that much, even if my mind hadn’t been reeling at the idea that no, Mileswasn’tengaged to a woman.I felt a smile try to take over my face.
“Cool.Great.”Miles rocked on the balls of his feet, staring at my mouth like he wanted to do something else.“Still in the same apartment?”
“Yeah.”
