“They’re distracting,” said August. “They’re beautiful, though. I just never noticed the gold around the pupils.”
Quinn crinkled his nose, and August frowned and stood, putting distance between them.
“So—I think it’s safe to say that I’m on board with the friends-with-benefits thing,” said August, scratching the back of his head. “If you want togo again, just text me whatever times work for you, and we’ll meet when we’re not busy.”
Quinn nodded because it sounded reasonable. “How’s your head?”
RelieffilledAugust’s expression, and Quinn felt his chest tighten with happiness for him.
“It’s gone,” August said softly. “I don’t know for how long, but I’ll take anything at this point.”
Quinn sat up and moved to the edge of the bed, giving August a sincere smile. “Good. You should go back to your room and sleep. Maybe with the migraine gone, you’ll sleep better, and the extra rest will keep it away.”
August looked tired, and Quinnhadmangled his neck. It was time for him to return to his teammate and pass out until they had to leave in the morning.
“I’m going to shower super fast, and then I’ll be out of your hair,” said August. “If Niko is still awake, I don’t want to wake him up.”
Quinn gestured for him to go ahead, lips pressing together tightly when August flashed him a boyish grin before swaggering into the bathroom. Quinn was too tired to go looking for his phone, so he waited for August to take his five-minute shower, his muscles tingling as he watched the man get out, get dried, and get redressed in record time.
“You’re okay with me leaving?” August asked, being far too considerate than what the situation called for.
“Very okay,” said Quinn. “Because I am very tired and I still have a bed to clean before I can sleep.”
“Shit.” August strode over to him and helped Quinn onto his unsteady legs. “You get in the shower, and I’ll change the sheets real fast. I’ll be gone before you get out—and I’ll leave a tip for the housekeeping staff.”
It was clear that someone had taught August manners over the years, and Quinn was greatly appreciative. He let August guide him into the bathroom, saying a quiet goodbye as he left to take care of the bed.
Shaking his head, Quinn stepped into the shower and braced a hand against the tiled wall, drawing in slow, steady breaths. He stayed like that until he heard the click of his hotel door closing, leaving him alone with the quiet and August’s scent still clinging stubbornly to his skin.
Jaw tight, he reached for the body wash and squeezed too much into his palm. He needed to scrub it away, all of it, because he didn’t trust himself to stay strong when every part of him had wanted—still wanted—to ask August not to leave.
Scowling, Quinn worked the lather across his skin, determined to wash every trace of him away.
Chapter 19
August
August wasn’t panicking. He was calm, cool, composed, and most of all, not panicking.
Niko looked up from his book when August opened the door to their room, raising an eyebrow at him like he was waiting to hear whatever he had to say—
“I sucked his dick.”
Niko’s other eyebrow went up.
“I’m definitely bisexual.”
A scarred lip curved into a grin, and broad shoulders began to tremble from the sheer force of holding back a laugh. “At what point did you have this revelation?”
August heaved a sigh and gripped the door handle. “Probably when I let him come in my mouth, and I liked it.”
A pause.
“Okay,” said Niko, and he calmly set his book down. “I’m happy to hear it, but you might want to get in the room and shut the door before the entire hotel hears anything else about your recent sexual encounter.”
August’s lungs seized, and ever so slowly, he tilted his body out the doorway to check that the hall was empty, which it was.
“Fuck,” he said, fully stepping into the room and closing the door. Then he locked it for good measure. “I think I’m dumb.”
