Page 78 of Play Maker

“Damn right.”

We headed for the exit, but instead of catching the elevator, we took the stairs. Axel walked beside me, so close our hands brushed every time we took a step. I should’ve moved away but I didn’t want to. Instead, I wanted to reach out and take his hand.

I want to hold his fucking hand. Jesus, I want to do that.

I stopped walking, too stunned by that realization.

Sex was one thing, holding hands meant…it meant… Oh God, no.

Axel paused on the next step down and turned around.

“Are you okay?” he said looking up at me.

No. I was far from okay.

“Yeah, just a bit lightheaded,” I confessed, staring into his eyes. “Probably need to eat something.”

“Is that all?”

I nodded, unable to say anything else.

We were alone in the dimly lit stairwell. The air between us grew heavier, thicker, until I was barely able to breathe. Axel slowly slid one hand up to my waist and then playfully tugged the belt loop on my jeans. Despite the layers of clothing, I swallowed hard when his fingers brushed my body.

“Gotta keep up your strength,” he whispered. “Especially since we need to get a workout in later on.”

A what?

“And I don’t mean the gym.”

He gave me a wicked grin and let go. When he started down the stairs again, he left me standing there with my mouth open and my dick hard.

Axel was flirting…with me?

“How come you’re not freaked out?” I asked.

He stopped but didn’t turn around, his broad back shifting as he shrugged. Axel ran a hand through his shaggy hair and then quickly glanced at me over his shoulder.

“About us?” he stated.

Why did I love the sound of that?Us. It was one tiny word and yet, it said everything. Everything and nothing. Because this wasn’t a relationship. Even though a part of me now wished it kinda was.

“About what happened in my room,” I corrected.

“Right,” he replied and for a second, I swore I saw disappointment in his eyes. He blinked and his expression cleared. “Well, maybe it hasn’t hit me yet. I don’t know. If I’m bi, I’m bi. I’ll figure it out.”

I nodded, and I should’ve been relieved.

Only, I didn’t want him to figure it out with anyone but me.

Axel

“Are you coming?” I asked Jace.

He stood in the stairwell staring at me like he was lost. Or confused. No, not that. He was probably just upset over Preston contacting him. Given what he’d told me, and their history, I wondered why Preston would try texting him at all. Why now? After two years? Something was off.

“Jace, are you alright?”

“Good, I’m good.” He nodded and finally stepped down to meet me eye to eye. “Let’s get out of here and find that pool hall.”

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