“I doubt that. Why would he avoid you?” Thom asks. There’s a hint of suspicion in his tone now, which I don’t need.
“We, ah…had a kind of…confrontation after my ass class,” I admit.
He sits back in his seat and groans. “Dude. Why do you have to pick a fight with everyone?”
“First of all, fuck you. I don’t pick a fight with everyone.”
“My friendship with him is tender, bruh. It’s a newborn baby that needs to be nurtured. I don’t need you and your weird attitude messing that up.”
I grimace. “Isn’t he still in love with Robbie?”
Thom’s cheeks pink. “No. I mean…I don’t think he is. Robbie seems pretty sure Rome’s been over him for a while.”
I don’t know why that answer makes me feel better. Well…wait. I kind of do know, but I don’t feel like admitting it right now. “I just don’t get why he’s so important to you.”
“Because he’s important to Robbie. If you were ever in a relationship for longer than two weeks, you’d understand,” he says, unthinking.
And I know he means nothing by that, but it hurts. I flinch, and he immediately looks sorry.
“Shit. I didn’t?—”
“It’s fine.”
Thom stands up and walks around the desk. “It’s not fine. I didn’t mean to be a dick. I just…it’s hard to explain, okay? Robbie and Rome have known each other for years now. Since Robbie was a brand-new teacher trying to figure out life. I love my partner, and if he wants me to make Rome feel welcome, I’m going to.”
I don’t hate that idea. I just hate what it means for me because that fucker is blowing so hot and cold it’s making my head spin. He wanted me, but he acted like I was shit on a shoe. He’d crack and touch my dick but then disappear for three fucking years, like I meant nothing.
And now he comes back and all but pounces on me in the shower before disappearing again. I need something from him. Something like closure so I can move the fuck on.
“I’ll try to make nice. It’s just hard to do when he stopped coming here.”
Thom lifts a brow. “He hasn’t stopped coming here. He’s just coming at night now.”
My blood runs a little cold. “What nights?”
Thom shrugs. “Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays.”
The nights I don’t work. That motherfucker.
“Let me take your shift tomorrow.”
Thom coughs. “Oh, uh…”
“Come on. You and Robbie can use the time for a sex fest or something. And if Rome comes in, I can say sorry.” Amongst many other things I plan to say and do when I see him.
Thom softens. “It has been a while since Robbie and I got some alone time when the both of us weren’t exhausted.”
“See. It works for everyone.” I hope to god I sound as smooth as I want. Whether I do or not, Thom’s already clearly fantasizing about his night with Robbie, so he’s not paying attention.
And all I have to do is wait one more day before confronting Rome and forcing him to tell me what the fuck is going on and why he’s acting likeIwas the one in the wrong.
Standing around waiting for Rome, I remember vividly the moment he pushed me into the shower and fell to his knees. Fuck me, that was hot. I shouldn’t have let it happen, but I did.
Next time I’m alone, I might replay the way his eyes flared as my hands moved through his language.
My gaze swivels around the packed gym this evening, searching for him. I realize I might have made a giant mistake telling Thom my plans, because if he spilled any of it to any of his friends, the gossipwillget back to Rome, and he’ll change his schedule again.
Being into this guy is detrimental to my mental health. I really need to get some closure so I can find someone else to obsess over, but I just can’t quite seem to shake him. There’s something electric about him, something that draws me toward him.
