Page 58 of Heart Taker

“Oh.”

“Not my type,” I added. “But he seems like a nice guy.”

“He is. I was nervous when I first sat down and—” Damien’s eyes implored mine. “I don’t know where to start. You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”

“Not at all. It’s none of my business,” I reassured him. “I’m trying—and failing miserably—to make small talk. I’m sorry if I interrupted your evening.”

“You didn’t. And I think I should probably tell you that?—”

I shook my head. “It’s okay, Damien. You have a right to a personal life.”

“I haven’t had one in a long time,” Damien confessed and worried his lower lip. “And… I’m trying to find some answers as to why.”

First, that queer club in Chicago and now here. It didn’t take a huge leap in logic to parse out that he was trying to come to terms with questions about his sexuality. My gaze locked onhis full lips, and damn, why did he have to be so hot? Hot and unavailable.

Why did he have to be my freaking coach?

“I think I’m bi,” he whispered. “But I haven’t explored that for years.”

Say what?

Did that mean… I stood there, gaping, unable to speak.

“Forget I said anything,” Damien replied quickly and took another sip of beer. “Tonight, this discussion, it never happened.”

“I’m sorry, you… wow, you shocked me. It normally takes a lot to do that.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not exactly appropriate conversation given our roles.”

I stared at him and shook my head.

“Considering what I told you about myself, I can assure you I’m a safe person to talk to. I’m an adult. So, knock off the appropriate shit. It doesn’t apply in our case.”

“I think it does,” he bit back. “If anyone from the school ever found out that you, I mean, that you and I?—”

He paused, biting his lower lip.

“That what? We’re talking, not fucking in the middle of the football field. Or the rink.”

“Silas,” Damien hissed, his cheeks flushing a bright shade of scarlet.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, way too satisfied with teasing Damien. Me, making the unshakeable Coach Banning lose his cool? It was intoxicating, addicting. And his response was too fucking adorable.

Adorable? Since when did I even use that word?

“What? I like talking to you, okay?” I admitted. “Most guys my age are too busy partying or pulling stupid pranks. I sometimes feel ancient compared to them. I know I’m twenty-two but trust me, I’ve got years of responsibility behind me. I’m not your average student.”

“I know.” Damien sighed. “I do. I think that’s part of the problem.”

“Like I said, we’re having a conversation.” I pointed between us. “Nothing wrong about that.”

Damien looked like he was about to reply, but he was interrupted by Kolt returning with a friendly smile and a bag that I assumed was my order. Damien did his best to stare at his glass and avoid eye contact. Maybe Ihadoverstepped the boundary between us, but I assumed it worked both ways. It wasn’t often that I vibed with someone so easily. I felt like I could talk to Damien about anything and everything.

Then I remembered why he was here. He was probably looking to hook up with a guy.

Not me. Never me.

Use your fucking brain.

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