Russell
I stood on the street, cardboard boxes stacked around me as I bounced from side to side, trying to stay warm. Blake was coming by with his truck to help me move, which was super generous of him, even though I felt totally awkward about accepting his help.
I hadn’t seen Blake or Casey since I was in high school. They used to practically live at our house, and Casey actually moved in during his senior year, when he ran into problems at home. But after they went off to college, I pretty much only heard updates from Peyton about the guys, although the three of them were still close.
It seemed like they were both doing good, which wasn’t surprising. Blake had gone on from a successful run as the star of our high school football team to become a physical therapist, working with professional athletes. He was a little grumpy, but nice, but what I really remembered was that he was always so sure of himself, like he had this steady confidence I really admired.
Casey had his own way of winning people over with his charm and was able to talk himself out of a lot of the trouble he got into, with a little help from the high cheekbones and dark chocolate eyes that made all the girls go crazy for him.
All the girls and a few of the guys, too. Specifically, one awkward younger brother to their best friend, name of me.
I heard from Peyton years ago that Casey had come out as bisexual. That was a relief, since it meant I didn’t have to worry he or Blake would act weird about my sexuality. But for some reason, it also made me feel anxious and awkward, like Casey’s years of experience as an out queer person meant that he’d be able to sniff out all my secrets before I’d even figured them out myself.
I zipped my blue jacket up all the way, freezing in the early morning chill, and a moment later, a big red truck pulled up. Blake waved at me from inside, then hopped out.
Instantly, my knees got wobbly and weak. He had the same furrowed brow and serious expression as he did in high school, but it did nothing to hide how freaking hot he’d become. He wore a pair of jeans that hugged his thick thighs and a hoodie that was just tight enough to show me he was built. His dark hair was cut short, and he had a close shave, but there was still a shadow of stubble across his jaw.
I wasn’t looking at Peyton’s jock friend—I was looking at a full-on man.
My eyes caught on his gaze. His face had matured and deepened as he settled into his strong brow. All of his features were just a little rough, and I loved that. His cheeks didn’t line up exactly right, with a smile jutted to one side, and something about that and the soft lines in the corners of his eyes made him so much hotter, like that one slightly crooked tooth I remembered so vividly.
A throb of desire came alive at the base of me, and just like when I was in high school, I felt intimidated and small and shy in his presence.
Fuck. Living with him was going to be complicated.
“Hey!” I greeted Blake and pulled my hand out of my pocket long enough to wave. “Thanks so much for helping me move. And for everything.”
“No problem,” Blake said as he grabbed my shoulder, greeting me with a friendly rub. It made warm things explode in my belly, and I struggled to keep a normal face.
“I don’t have much stuff,” I managed, gesturing to the boxes. “My old sublet was furnished.”
“That’s what Peyton said.” He squatted and lifted one of the biggest boxes like it didn’t weigh anything. “We got you covered. The spare room has everything you’ll need.”
“Great.” I grabbed a large box myself. It wasn’t like I was out of shape. I lifted weights and biked and did my best to stay active. But I still blushed when I huffed, surprised by the weight of it. “In the back?”
Blake tossed his box into the back of the truck. “That’s right. So how’s Pittsburgh been treating you so far? You moved straight from Forest View, right?”
“Yeah. I stuck around for a bit after finishing at the college.” I was surprised Blake remembered anything about me, actually, even which community college I went to, but I figured Peyton must have told him. “Pittsburgh is alright. I’m still getting settled, I guess.”
“What made you move here?”
I grabbed another box. “Fresh start. I’m working at a bookstore, and taking a cabinetry class, and just trying to figure out what’s next.”
That felt close enough to the truth. I just wasn’t about to explain to Blake Serrano that I needed a new place so that I could finally play around with makeup.
“Right on,” he grunted. The phrase sounded weirdly dorky, like the way his dad would talk, and that made me smile. “Well, you’re welcome with me and Casey as long as you need. We can help show you around the city, too.”
“Thanks.” I already felt like an imposition, though, and I wanted to avoid thePeyton’s little brothervibe as much as possible. “I work most days, so you’ll only see me in the evenings.”
“Casey’s a night owl,” he said, then grabbed a smaller white box. “I work nine to five, more or less.”
My eyes popped out wide, and my heart rate spiked. Blake Serrano was holding a box with my panties and lipstick in it. I tried to breathe and not panic and scolded my dick to please, please stay soft.
But Blake Serrano was basically touching my panties right now.
“I’ll pay some rent,” I blurted out, then grabbed another box. “And help with utilities. Whatever.”
His hand landed on my shoulder, and he squeezed again. This time, the warmth that flooded through me went straight to my cock, and the erection I was trying to fight off surged to life.
