Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Do you want to play? I bet I can beat you too,” Kenny replied.
I took a step back. “Defend my honor,” I teased, then added more money for Beau and Kenny to play while I stood back and watched. I couldn’t remember a night I’d had so much fun.
Beau didn’t kill the engine when he pulled up in front of my house. We’d eaten dinner, then played more games before Beau had taken Kenny home.
“Thanks for tonight,” Beau told me. “The coaching, dinner…playing games with him. He likes you. Kenny’s a friendly guy, but there’s something about you he’s connected with. It means a lot to me that you treat him…that you’ve always treated him like…”
“Like the cool-ass guy he is?” I asked.
“Exactly. Not everyone does, and he is, cool I mean.”
“Yeah,” I replied. “Yeah, he is.” Only he wasn’t the only Campbell brother who was.
“You’re welcome to help me if you want. With the coaching. I’m not sure if that’s something you’re interested in, but you’re good at it. They take to you well, and I could use some help out there. It’s hard to get people to volunteer their time—”
“The way you do?” I cut him off.
“I enjoy it.”
“Doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great thing you do and that most people wouldn’t. Not sure there’s much of anything I’d like more than to help you coach.” I’d felt part of something all day—between the coaching and then dinner. I’d felt part of something important, something bigger than myself. And with Kenny…I’d felt like I had a brother.
“Nothing?” he asked, cocking a brow at me.
“Come inside with me, Campbell.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Come on, don’t go all Cranky Campbell on me now. You were doing so well.”
“Yeah, well, the problem is—and don’t let this go to your head, Carmichael—but I sort of want you. And if I go inside, I’m afraid you’ll be too hard to resist, and I’m not sure you’re ready.”
“Don’t I get to be the one to judge that?” I asked.
“Okay…maybe I’m not sure it’s the best for me either.”
Well, shit. That changed things. “Why?”
“I don’t want to admit that.”
“Why? Because you like me so much?”
“Ugh. Stop fishing.”
“It’s okay. I like you too.”
“Ash…”
“Beau…” He sighed, and I rubbed a hand over my face before continuing. “I’ve spent my whole life pretending, lying. Isn’t it strange that the only time I can’t fake it, the only time I give in and embrace who I am, is when I’m with you? You do something to me. Always have.”
And…I was blushing, ladies and gentlemen. Blushing. That shit didn’t happen very often.
Beau’s eyes snapped to mine, his pupils blown large.
“I know, right?” I asked him. “You’re kind of addicting. It’s very frustrating to the in-denial part of me.”
“You don’t ever have to be ashamed, Ash.” He reached out, cupped my cheek, brushed his thumb against my skin. “There’s nothing wrong with who you are.”
“I’m trying.” I closed my eyes. “Trying to work through it. Being with you helps.”
“You’re going to fucking wreck me, do you know that? When you say shit like that, my whole fucking reality goes up in flames, and I need to keep my head on straight.”
“Straight?” I teased.
“Well, maybe not straight, but I need to be smart. It was…tough, when you left. I didn’t realize exactly why at the time, but I know now. And I can’t help but think you’ll do it again, or this will be too much for you.”
And by this, I knew he meant being an out-and-proud gay man like he was.
“I’m not rushing you. I’m not saying I’m in love with you and begging you to stay. I’m being honest. Just trying to figure out what to do.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to say me. Not because I truly wanted Beau to fuck me—I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready for that—but because it was a whole lot easier than being honest the way he was.
“What happens if people find out? I don’t want to be the reason you’re outed or to make this any harder on you than it already is. Your name is still in the news every day.”
“Come inside with me, Campbell. No one will find out. We’ll…we’ll take it slow. And I’ll be honest. If it’s too much, I’ll tell you, but right now…Jesus, I want you so fucking much. I’ve wanted you since I was a goddamned kid, and I’m tired of waiting to have you.”
Beau sucked in a sharp breath.
“That honest enough for you?”
“Fucking Ashton Carmichael,” he replied, and I smiled, knowing Beau had as hard a time denying me as I had him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Beau
I like spending time with Beau and Ash together. They’re fun. ~ Love, Kenny
It shouldn’t have been a surprise to me that I was going inside so easily with Ash. I mean, there was the obvious. He was gorgeous, and I wanted him. I really couldn’t fucking wait to get on my knees for him, to tease him until he lost his damn mind, to show him how good it could be with a man.