Itwas good to have confirmation that this was still a road Declan wanted to godown. Ash was afraid he’d want to sweep it under the rug, and he hadn’t beensure he’d be able to do that. Wonderingwhat ifwould have eaten away athim.
“Ican have infinite patience for you,” Ash said sincerely. He owed that much toDeclan, even if it wasn’t just the decent thing to do.
“Thanks,”Declan said. “Last night was, uh…” Declan paused, blushing as he cleared histhroat. “Great. Magical, even. But I might… need some time? Maybe? I don’tknow.”
“Aslong as you need,” Ash said. Waiting would kill him, but missing out on his onechance with Declan would have been even worse.
Hecould wait for this. It was worth it.
“Youkeep making this easy for me,” Declan pointed out.
Ashshrugged, stealing a fry from the bag Declan had set on the counter. “You’re mybest friend, and I want you to be happy. OfcourseI’m making it easy onyou. And if there’s anything else I can do, just let me know.”
“Youcan win this bowling match,” Declan said. “I mean, no pressure, but that wouldbe kinda hot.”
Ashwet his lips.
IfDeclan thought it washot, then he really did have to win. He didn’t havea choice anymore.
Ashliked Lexi, but he was going to wipe the floor with him if it meant gainingDeclan’s approval.
Hopefully.Assuming he still could after years of being out of practice.
They’dfind out in a handful of hours.
ChapterTwenty-One
“Ishoulda believed you when you said he was good,” Marcus said, sitting downheavily next to Declan on the plastic seats behind the ball return chute.
“Heisgood,” Declan said, grinning. He’d barely stopped smiling the wholetime they’d been out, but he loved to see Ash showing off.
Hewas proud of Ash. Always had been.
Buttoday, he felt just a little prouder. Ash felt a tiny bit more like he wasDeclan’s to be proudof.
Thatwas a nice feeling, and Declan wanted to hold onto it.
“Lexibeats the crap out of me every time,” Marcus said. “But I keep coming back,because, well… look at the view.” Marcus nodded to Lexi, who was lining up hisshot.
Lexi’sjeans looked like they’d been painted on, which Declan assumed was what Marcuswas talking about.
Objectively,Lexi had a cute butt. Subjectively, Declan… didn’t care.
Whichwas probably why he’d taken so long to start coming to terms with his feelingsfor Ash. He didn’t look at him and start drooling, and without that reaction,he hadn’t realized how much he wanted to kiss him.
Notbecause of what he looked like, but because of who hewas.
Thathad taken a lot of figuring out.
Nowthat hehadfigured it out, though…
Ashhad a great butt. He was allowed to think that, and it was exciting as hell.
“Lexi’sgreat,” Declan said after a moment. “You’re a lucky man.”
“Thanks,”Marcus said. “You too, obviously. You guys are perfect. It must be amazing toreally start a life together, leave everything behind and walk your own path.”
“It’spretty great,” Declan agreed.
