Page 84 of Sin Deep
He hushed, because Harley did seem fine. He was better than fine, himself. He was…inexplicably happy. Devastatingly in love. And pleasantly exhausted. He let himself close his eyes.
22
Harley grabbed his bag and thought about going home, but…
But.
That but was unnerving. That but worried him. That but was something he didn’t understand.
But, what?
Harley didn’t know.
And that was weird.
It wasn’t something he could talk to Winter about. Winter worried. Winter got stressed. Winter started to doubt.
That wouldn’t work.
His phone rang, shocking him, and he smiled as Oliver’s name showed up. Okay. Okay, this was a sign. He answered with a smile. “Hey, man.”
“Hey, Hardworking Harley. You haven’t called me indays.”
“I know. I miss you, man. Bad.” He was hardworking and fucking tired. He was considering calling in sick for a month.
“You do? Can you come over? We’ll order pizza. Please?” Ollie sounded so hopeful.
“Yeah. Yes. I’ll call Winter and meet him at the club. He’s got a late meeting-retirement deal at the library anyway.” Oh, that sounded like an amazing idea, seriously. He could use some one-on-one buddy time.
“Oh, this is so great! Yay! Oh, god I have to clean up around here. Okay, gotta go. See you soon. Love you. Bye!”
The call ended right there.
He texted Winter, letting him know that he was seeing Oliver and would meet him later so they could dance.
Maybe Oliver could help him work out this whole ‘but’ shit.
“I got you.” Ollie shouted into the intercom before buzzing him in. He trudged up the stairs to find Ollie waiting in the open doorway to the apartment. “Sweetheart!” Ollie threw his arms open wide. “Come to Ollie, honey.”
“Oh, I’ve missed you.” He grabbed Oliver up and held on tight. “It’s been weeks, buddy.”
“I know!” Ollie hugged him hard. “I mean, I saw you but… I haven’t been able to say hi. Come in! I ordered our favorite pizzas, and I found the remote, and there’s even beer in the fridge.”
There it was again—that ‘but’.
Weird.
“You want one?” He headed for the fridge.
“Sure.” Ollie locked them in, then flounced through the kitchen in his flowy shirt and comfy, harem pants. He didn’t seem high, and he definitely wasn’t in a corset. “Tell me everything. Are you living in a Winter wonderland? Basking in domestic bliss?”
“He is wonderful. He is so sweet and dear.” And kind.
Generous.
Sexy.
Smart.
