Page 96 of Full Body Hit, Part 1

Chase, however, made an oohing noise of interest. “I have a friend and…I think he’d like these. I’m not sure why.” He laughed as he said the last bit. “They’re very cool though.”

“I know someone who teaches this kind of fortune-telling, actually. I can give you her card if you want.”

“Oh, yes, please! And I’ll take these, if that’s okay.”

“Of course.”

Auston stood back and watched as they went over to the register, chatting the whole way through the transaction.

It set the mood for the rest of the morning.

Chase seemed buoyed by the interaction, because he came out of the shop smiling.

“For Sammy,” he explained, and his face was so soft, eyes half-moons as he grinned.

For a heartbeat, Auston was caught in how Chase looked in the light, fluffy brown hair catching the rays, big sweater hanging a little low on his shoulders.

Auston could see a sliver of collarbone peeking through.

Why the fuck was he even noticing that?

“Yeah,” he replied absently, turning away.

It was only two shops later that he remembered he was supposed to be filming, suddenly trapping him in the task of having to focus on Chase and everything he did. The way he giggled over the things in the shops and asked questions to the employees. How he was constantly making noises—oohing and aahing and mumbling and exclaiming as if he were full of something that was too big to contain, continuously spilling out.

He was constantly buying things, too, although never for himself. All their teammates had something by the end of it.

And then there were the moments Chase suggested they take selfies—per PR’s orders—and they had to put their heads close together, Chase’s bland scent barely noticeable, but the heat of him apparent in the cool day.

It was making Auston’s head spin.

He was glad when the first part of the tour was over and it was Chase’s turn to film. They went to Jackson Square, walking the stuck-gravelled path, manicured bushes lining the way.

Chase seemed as enthusiastic about the garden as he had been about the shops.

“Let’s check out that fountain,” he said and then filmed Auston looking at it awkwardly. “Let’s check out that thing,” he suggested, pointing at a tree sculpted like a horse, and off they went.

It was…less annoying than Auston would have guessed. Maybe even kind of fun.

And yet Chase still kept his scent wrapped up tight.

Auston tried to ignore that fact. What Chase did with his body, his scent, was none of his business, but it was making his heartbeat trip over itself, stomach squirming.

Chase wasn’t his ex. Chase had no reason to be hiding his scent to manipulate Auston.

But then, why was he?

A headache built between his eyebrows as the afternoon went on, jaw tight with tension. All the while, Chase was running around, shivering in the increasing cold, which was just adding to Auston’s annoyance.

“God, can’t you dress yourself?” Auston finally growled.

Chase stopped short. “Huh?”

“Just…here.” Auston took off his coat and thrust it towards Chase. He ran hot anyway.

Chase blinked at it and made no move to take it. “Huh?”

“You’re cold.”