Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
It was late, and I was just closing Fearless when a blond guy popped around the corner. “Hey, Linc,” I said as my friend slipped inside. “You’re out late.”
“I was coming to see you. The guys are at Fever. I told them I’d drag you out.”
Which meant he was sent to come and get me, likely by my nosy brother. “And it’s a coincidence that it’s the friend who’s spent the last year adjusting to his boyfriend traveling?”
“Oh, hell no. Cam obviously sent me for a reason. I’ve been where you are, and I know it takes some getting used to.”
“Want a coffee?” I walked over to the counter.
“Sure.”
“It’s different, though.”
“How?” Linc asked.
“Well, for starters, Rush lives in Fever Falls. You were used to having him around.”
Linc rolled his eyes. “You’re reaching. I was also used to Rush traveling to race. I just hadn’t realized how different it would feel when he did that as my boyfriend.”
“You and Rush were in love,” I countered.
“And you’re not?”
I turned away from him and began preparing the coffee. Was I in love with Carter? Yeah, I was, but I wasn’t supposed to have fallen in love with him, and I didn’t think he was in love with me.
“I know you, Sawyer.”
I sighed. “That’s not what this was supposed to be about.”
“Oh, sugar. It never is. If you thought I set out to fall in love with Rush, you’re crazy.”
I finished making Linc’s coffee the way I knew he liked it and handed it to him. I appreciated what he was trying to do, I really did, but comparing him and Rush to Carter and me was like comparing apples to oranges. “You know me. I’m logical. The truth is, a few months ago I thought I hated Carter.” For no good reason, but that didn’t change how I felt.
“And now you know you looooove him,” Lincoln teased, and I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t confirm or deny anything. But back to what I was saying, I have to be realistic, Linc. It doesn’t matter how much I like Carter, there’s a lot standing between us.”
“Then shove that shit out of the way and go for what you want. You’re one of the best people I know. You deserve to be happy.”
My eyes darted away. I didn’t know what to say. When I opened my mouth, I wasn’t sure what would come out. I sure as shit didn’t plan to ask, “What if he doesn’t feel the same?”
“Then you walk away knowing you didn’t run away. That right there is something to be proud of.”
“Would you have said that before you knew Rush loved you?”
“Hell no!” Linc replied, and we both laughed.
I had no idea how we’d ended up talking about my future, or possibly lack thereof, with Carter. All I knew was I missed him, and I wasn’t ready to lose him, even if that was the likely outcome.
“Let me clean up real quick, and I’ll go have a drink with you guys.”
“That’s my boy!” Linc clapped his hands together. “I bet Cam twenty bucks I could get you to go out tonight.”
“You asshole!” But really, it was just what I needed. I still wished Carter were there to enjoy it with me.
It was another week before Carter was able to get back to Fever Falls. I took the day off and drove to Atlanta to pick him up at the airport. A smile curled the corners of my mouth when I saw him standing in the crowd, looking for my car.
His skin was a bit more sun-kissed, like he’d been out in the sun. His brown hair flopped against his forehead as his eyes skated around the area. He looked so damn cute. My fingers twitched with the need to touch him.
I rolled down the window as I approached where Carter stood, feeling a giddiness I had no damn business feeling. “Hey, sexy. You need a ride?”
“Nah, I’m good.” He winked, then walked over and tossed his bag into the back seat before getting into the front. “Did you miss me?”
“Nah, I’m good,” I teased. He smiled, and I leaned over the center console to kiss that adorable fucking grin of his.
We chatted about random shit and the goings-on in Fever Falls since he’d been gone. Carter had asked me to fill him in, and I wondered if it was because he didn’t want to talk about his LA trip or if he was just truly interested in Fever Falls.
“Are you hungry or anything? You need me to take you to get food?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I really need you to take me home and fuck me. I want my beast.” He cocked a brow, and my dick was like, hello, plumping up behind my fly.
I went straight to my apartment. We laughed and raced each other up the stairs, and I had to admit, I loved the thought that he was eager for me. He’d been in Los Angeles, with who knew how many beautiful guys, yet he was home and still wanted me. It was the most potent high.