I grin at the two of them, then glance around in hopes I’ll see some sign of Rome. He’s probably in the locker room. Or he’s left already. That thought makes my insides twist.
‘I didn’t see you at Rome’s welcome party,’ I say, trying to ease into asking about him.
Leaf rolls his eyes. ‘Michael chewed through the cords for the outdoor lights, and we had to spend all day replacing them.’
Thorne leans over and presses a soft kiss to his boyfriend’s cheek. ‘I made him feel better after though.’
I know exactly whatthatmeans, and I don’t need to hear about another happy couple’s sexcapades. This is already depressing enough. ‘Have you seen Rome since he got back?’
Leaf frowns. ‘No, not yet. We’ll probably find some time to hang out soon.’
That means they haven’t seen him here either. Fantastic. Well…
‘Do you have any free time next week?’ Leaf asks after waving at me to get my attention.
Damn it. Damn it damn it damn it…
‘I probably do.’ Ugh, why can’t I just lie to my friends? ‘You need something?’
‘We have a huge project going on at the farm and could use some help. I can pay,’ Leaf says, giving me doe eyes.
‘Cash,’ Thorne adds.
I sigh. ‘Pizza and beer is fine. You don’t need to pay me in cash.’
Thorne laughs. ‘No, we’ll pay you with money. Worth it, trust me. It’s a lot of work.’
I want to say no. I don’t want more shit on my plate except for resolving this Rome issue and then hoping that Lexi and Drew have at least one friend I can fall madly in love with.
But of course, I don’t say no. I never do.
‘Text me when and where, and I’ll be there.’
Leaf brightens and tugs me into a quick hug. “Thank you. You and me. Best friends!” he signs and says aloud.
I wave him off, then head for the showers.
Without a backward glance at my two friends, I walk into the locker room and grab my bag with my towel and soap. I could just wander around the gym sweaty, but I can’t cope with that. Not when my next class is this afternoon, and a shower won’t take too long.
I just need a quick scrub, and then I’ll be back at it.
After, I’ll grab a smoothie from the small snack bar we added last year and then get back to work on the paperwork looming in my office.
As I walk toward the showers in the back corner, lifting a hand to wave at a regular, I see Rome step out of a stall, a towel around his waist. He didn’t even bother drying off. Water is dripping down his tan skin, collecting in the grooves of his muscles.
His gaze flicks up to meet mine, and my heart thumps heavily in mychest.
In my cock.
We stare at each other for a long pause.
And then he exhales and flicks his gaze away, moving past me.
I force myself not to watch him as he brushes against my shoulder, the whisper of his towel hitting my exposed skin.
I hold my breath, not wanting to smell him. His scent has always been intoxicating.
The problem is the only shower available is the one he just left.
