“Not lost.” Nicki offers a charming smile as his fingers curl possessively around Andrew’s shoulder to tug him closer. “Just stopping by on the way to the game to visit my boyfriend.”
Allowing himself to be pulled against Nicki’s body, Andrew relaxes into his side, unexpectedly comforted by the pressure of his solid body and the crisp scent of his cologne.
“Boyfriend,” Mr. Sterling repeats, eyes darting between Nicki and Andrew with obvious shock. He can’t blame his boss for his reaction, but the reminder that people are going to look at Andrew and wonder why Nicki would date him makes him grateful he hasn’t managed to eat lunch yet.
“I’m a lucky man, I know,” Nicki says, rendering Andrew as surprised as his boss. Who is this polite asshole, and what has he done with Andrew’s Nicki? “You wouldn’t mind if I borrow Andrew for a few minutes before I head over to the rink for the game tonight, would you?”
“Not at all young man. You borrow Andrew as long as you like, and make sure you win us that game tonight. Me and the missus will be watching.”
“Always trying to bring home that win,” Nicki says, curling his arm all the way around Andrew’s shoulder to turn him away from his boss and coworkers, still all watching this scene unfold.
“They’re staring,” Andrew hisses.
“Of course they are, I’m something to look at,” Nicki replies, back to his normal cocky self. Somehow, that’s oddly calming.
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“What part, princess?”
“All of it,” Andrew grumbles, exhaling a heavy breath once they’re out into the hallway where no one is watching. He hates people staring at him. That was enough attention to last Andrew a lifetime.
“Weareboyfriends now.”
“Yes, and you said we were keeping it quiet. You could’ve at least given me a heads up or a text. Although that would require you to actually use your phone.”
“I use my phone.”
“Guess you just ignored me all week on purpose then,” Andrew sighs, trying and failing to keep the hurt from his tone. This thing between them isn’t real, but the rejection he felt all week sure is.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Forget it. I know you’re busy, it doesn’t matter.”
“The fuck it does,” Nicki counters. “Tell me.”
“You’re very bossy,” Andrew huffs, used to everyone letting it go when he tries to brush aside his own feelings. Even Charlie, who enjoys arguing for fun, never argues with Andrew about this. He’s always assumed that’s what he wanted.
“And you’re deflecting, sweetheart.”
“No.”
“No, what?”
“Don’t call me sweetheart.”
“No?” Nicki’s smile is smug as shit as he leans in. “Just princess then?”
“Insufferable fucker,” Andrew grumbles, absolutely refusing to admit how much he likes that nickname, mostly because he doesn’t understand. He should hate it. Nicki was teasing him the first time, but it doesn’t feel like teasing now. It feels like something intimate, special—things Andrew isn’t used to feeling.
Nicki laughs, but even that is more self satisfied than cruel. “I’ve got your number, princess.”
“Clearly not since you didn’t call me,” Andrew says, instantly regretting it since he brought the conversation right back to where they were before he tried to change the subject.
“Give me your phone.”
For reasons unknown to Andrew, he pulls his phone out of his back pocket and passes it to Nicki who scrolls through it with a frown. “This is my business number. I don’t ever check this.”
“That’s what Amanda gave me.”
