Page 77 of Built To Perform

I opened my eyes, shocked by my own rudeness, the bitterness in my tone.

Luke’s expression was wry.

“Probably, yes. Point taken.”

“I... I’m sorry,” I fumbled out, still feeling horrified by what I’d blurted. “That was... really unfair of me.”

He jerked his chin at the path ahead, and after a moment I started walking again. Suddenly feeling chastened by his presence at my side; like I’d forgotten who, exactly, I was talking to. Beguiled by the depth of our conversation, the honesties it had dredged up.

“I think, if something is special, we can’t help but fear losing it,” Luke said, eventually. His voice soft, tone thoughtful. “And the more important it is to us, the worse the fears can be.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak again.

He exhaled, slowly. “We can’t control how people think and feel about us, Eoin. As appealing as that idea might be, sometimes. All we can do is be honest and transparent about how we think and feel about them.”

“Like you, with Coach?”

“Right,” he agreed, then chuckled. “Even if I have to share him with a bunch of handsome, muscled college studs.”

I jerked my head to him, my eyes wide. “He’s never... I, mean, he hasn’t ever...”

Luke laughed. “I meant more sharing in terms of time and headspace, actually.” He gave me a sly look. “But thanks for the reassurance. I’m not so smooth a dancer these days, so I was worried my hip-thrusts might not hold up to the competition.”

“Come on,” I protested, weakly. Sometimes it felt like the universe was running a contest to see who could make me blush the brightest.

Another laugh. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it.” He squeezed my shoulder. “Honestly, I can see why Jeffer... why the team is so fond of you.”

I crossed my arms, sullenly. “It’s because I’m so easy to tease.”

Luke shook his head, still amused.

“I’m sure that’s it, yeah.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

They were lighting the bonfire by the time we got back. Carlos and Brayden apparently in competition to see who could gather up the biggest armful of branches and set them on an already-teetering tower.

Coach watched them, his arms folded across his chest. Only instead of the frown I expected to see twisting his face, it looked like he was trying not to laugh.

Luke slipped his arm around his boyfriend’s waist. No way not to notice the way Coach stiffened at the touch; or, I realized a split-second later, at how public it was.

I accidentally caught his eye, and then - feeling somehow like I’d just intruded on something deeply personal - turned away.

“Did you not tell them about gravity?” Luke sounded skeptical as we watched the two seniors building the wood pile higher.

“If they didn’t pass high school physics, I’m not sure what more I could do for them,” Coach countered, dryly.

I snorted, before I could help myself. This version of him was just that little bit more human, compared to the shouting, demanding man who seemed to relish putting his team through hell. I couldn’t decide if the differences were more entertaining or unnerving.

“Did you two have a good... walk?”

Coach was staring at me when I looked over. I tried not to let my eyes dip to where Luke’s arm still hooked - casually, and oh-so-comfortably - around his waist.

“Y-yes, sir.” It came out in a stutter.

He sighed, briefly closing his eyes.

“Eoin, we’re not at school now. You don’t need to be so... stiff.”