Page 21 of When Love Gives You Lemons
Ricky DeLuca.
Reader, when I tell you I nearly pass out . . .Woof.Though I’m not sure if it’s from the surprise of seeing him, or from how he takes my breath away.
Cliché, I know, I get it. Relax, I’m a red-blooded himbo with an increasing rush of blood to my dick and heart all at once. But if you saw what I’m seeing, you’d get it!
Effortless charisma; he’s the most confident guy on the planet in loose blue jeans that hug his waist and a V-cut tank top that reveals how muscular he’s gotten as a woodworker’s apprentice. His biceps could act as flotation devices should the plane go down. His face—gone is the smooth, clean-shaven boy I knew a year ago, replaced by scruff. He’s grown out his dark hair so long he looks like a heartthrob in those old magazines from the 1990s Ma keeps stored in the garage. It’s effortless and cool in front of his eyes, and ridiculously hot, especially when he tucks it behind his ears.
The earth stops rotating.
He turns and catches my gaze, his mouth parting slightly.
I’ve bulked up a lot over the last year thanks to spending time at the gym with Matty. My pasta body has some musculature to it now. Add the blond scruff to the mix, and I’m no longer thesoft, unshaped doughy kid he left on the beach. If that’s true, then why do I suddenly feel like that kid again, fragile and alone, needing his affection?
Ricky stops dead in the entry; his nostrils flare, and a stony gaze falls over his face.
He looks right through me.
I’m frozen in place as he steps aside and, in slow motion, another guy comes up behind him and drapes his arms around Ricky’s neck, kissing his cheek.
Ricky proceeds to introduce everyone to Cam Wallace.
Hisboyfriend.
Chapter 5
It’s Amazing the Clarity That Comes with Psychotic Jealousy
“You okay?” Matty asks.
I clear my throat. “What kind of name is Cam Wallace? What is he, an analog camera? Also, it’s July, and this guy is wearing a beanie.”
He does have supercute eyeglasses, though. Very Professor Moriarty chic.
But that’s it.
Okay, fine. He’s also tall. And nerdy in a way that’s super adorable, and the more I stare the more I’m convinced he’s one of those guys who is completely unassuming, but once his shirt comes off, he’s ridiculously ripped. Sleeper bod.
I hate him.
Matty laughs. “Quiet!”
Benny hands me the mimosa the flight attendant serves him. “You need this more than I do.”
I down it in one gulp. My thoughts rapidly fill the airspace in the cabin. Ricky looked right through me. Like I didn’t exist.I yank the ring on my thumb off and quickly slip it into the pocket of my short shorts. “I can’t be here.”
“Where ya going, Sparky?” Matty asks. “We’re on a plane.”
“I can’t do this.”
Benny looks to Matty. “Take him to the back row; I’ll run interference. Ohmygod, did I just make a sports reference?” After quickly rushing to Ricky, Benny hugs him and screams, “Cousin!” far too loudly. Zero chill.
Matty ushers me down the aisle.
I look back.
Ricky’s eyes follow me, but he doesn’t move past Benny.
My mouth is dry.
