Page 11 of Sin Deep
“No?” He thought Winter was hot. Like whoa. “I just wanted to make sure. I’m not an asshole.”
“Of course not! All done?” Oliver reached for his empty plate. “You want something else?”
“No. No, thank you. I’ll do the dishes since you cooked.” He stood up, then unlocked his phone. “Put his number in? I’ll text him.”
“Oh, that’s sneaky. I like how you just took control there. Sexy.” Oliver winked and set their plates down on the counter, then typed numbers into his phone. “I may add something more fun to my coffee. Interested?”
“Sure. I’m not driving.” And it was Saturday. That was a moral imperative, to have a shot. “Hook me up.”
“Right on.” Ollie pulled out a bottle of Bailey’s and started to pour. “Say when.”
He listened for three glugs, as he got the water started. “When.”
“Very nice.” Ollie giggled as he filled his own mug. “I hate doing dishes. You are the best roommate ever. Thank you.”
“Anytime. I don’t mind at all. Handy, since I cain’t hardly cook.” And what he did cook involved grills, which apparently weren’t a big option here.
“See? We’re a good team.” Oliver was suddenly right next to him and kissed his cheek. “As much as I am dying to be a fly on the wall for your phone call, I will go do my nails and stay out of your hair. But don’t think I’m not going to ask all the questions later.”
“Use the lilac with the glitter. It’s Easter season.” He thought that was adorable, and Ollie was good at it.
“Yeah? You like the glitter, huh? I think that’s a great idea. See you in a bit.” Oliver gave him a finger wave and left the kitchen.
He wiped his hands off, texted Winter withHey, you. It’s Harley. You have a decent day?and then went to finish the dishes.
Mr. Winter Love would either text back or he wouldn’t.
Either way, he’d have a story for Ollie in a few.
6
Oliver had been quite right to refuse to give Harley’s phone number to him without permission, but Winter did not like waiting. He would wait, and he’d do it patiently, but he’d wanted to be the one in control of the timing of this conversation.
This felt right though, that the ball should be in Harley’s court, that Harley should be the one to decide when and if they’d talk again. He’d been horribly rude the night before, he knew it, and he deserved a little time to chew on his own thoughts.
He’d just decided to take a shower when his phone vibrated on the bathroom counter and he picked it up and read the text message, as relieved as he was anxious that it was Harley. He quickly made a new contact with the number so he didn’t lose it and simply put in Harley, since he didn’t know the boy’s last name.
Yet. He was determined he would. Soon.
But what to do with this text? Had he had a decent day? No, it hadn’t been decent; he’d been angry with himself since before the sun had come up. How to reply? “Just fine, how was yours”? or “Miserable, I’m so sorry.” Or what he really wanted to know… “Can I see you again?”
He decided texting wasn’t his strong suit. But he did send one.
It’s very kind of you to contact me. Might I call you?
The response came quickly, gratifyingly so, in fact.Surely. I’m home & having coffee.
That was wonderful and awful. He pulled on his robe, thinking that a cup of tea would help settle his nerves, stepped into his slippers, and called Harley as he made his way to the kitchen.
“Hey there. How’s it going? You okay?” Harley sounded—warm. The man’s voice was simply naturally warm.
“Am I—” He took a breath and tried again. He’d already decided he was going to get directly to his point so that he didn’t lose his nerve. “Hello, Harley. I’m sorry if I’ve interrupted your evening, but I appreciate the phone call. I am anxious to talk to you about last night, and to apologize for my awful behavior.”
“Okay. I accept your apology, and I hope I didn’t do something to upset you. If I did, it was an accident.”
“No, Harley. You were perfect. Beautiful and sweet. You were honest and I…was having trouble being honest with you in return, which is what you deserved.” Harley’s comment about the feel of his fingers was intimate and had stirred something in him he hadn’t been prepared for. “I left abruptly without explanation, and it was rude of me. I hope I didn’t upset you too much.”
“I was…worried I’d done something wrong, is all. I’m still super new to, well, everything here.” Harley’s laugh was self-deprecating. “But I’m learning.”
