Bump and Run (Wide Open #6)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Charlie

I blinked myself awake, my eyes adjusting to the sunlight that was currently beaming in through the curtainless windows. I was going to buy Jones some curtains today. That was what I had told him last night, before I shoved my tongue deep inside his ass, while his hands twisted into the sheets of the bed. My already-hard cock twitched at the memory, the sounds Jones had made, the way he pushed back against me and then begged me to put my dick inside of him. He didn’t exactly use those words, because this was my Jonesy, but I gave him what he wanted.

I brushed the haloed curls from his forehead, taking in the calmness of his face. His lids fluttered as he slept, his lips opened slightly, and his leg was pushed between mine. I brushed my lips against his, careful not to wake him, and felt a smile creep over my face. Jones was heartbreakingly beautiful. I was here in his bed because he still wanted me. He was still mine.

Jones loved me.

I climbed from the bed and managed to dig out a pair of his sweatpants that sort of fit me from the overstuffed dresser. They were a little short, riding up over my ankles and tight around my hips, but they would work for now. I brushed my teeth in the bathroom, tried to tame my hair, gave up, and wandered down into the kitchen to find some coffee. Only to come face to face with a very pissed off Ollie.

“I knew it,” he snarled, standing up and straightening his shoulders.

Ollie was a big man, towering over my six-foot frame, and right now I was a little terrified he was going to give me a black eye to match the one he was currently sporting along with the split lip. That looked fresh.

I held up my hands, palms out. “I love him, Ollie. You can hit me all you want, but I love Jones, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“You broke his heart,” Ollie reminded me, his hands balled into fists at his side. “You lied, Charlie. You left him and then you just, what? Charmed your way back into his pants? Goodness, this is going to end up a bigger mess than last time. And who’s going to have to pick up the broken pieces again? Me. That’s who.”

I was more than aware of what I had done. “You can hate me all you want, Ollie, but Jones has forgiven me.”

“I just... Do you even have any idea what he went through?” Ollie dragged both hands through his red hair, and his green eyes flashed angrily. “How he wanted to lie in bed all day. Jones wouldn’t eat, he wouldn’t shower, he just slept. My brother and I...” He shook his head at the memories. “I can’t believe you’re here. In his house, in his clothes. It makes me sick.”

“I know that you’re in love with Jones. I’m sorry that I—”

“I’m not! I care about him. He’s my best friend, and sure, I love him like a brother, but I’m not in love with him! I thought I was, but now I know what love is. It’s angry and explosive. It’s frustrating and sweet. It’s hard kisses, whispered confessions in the heat of the moment, and stolen glances. That’s not what I felt for Jones.”

I stared at the giant before me, took in the way he avoided my gaze, the bruising around his eye and dried blood on his mouth. Who was hurting Ollie like this, and did he think that was love? That was abuse.

“How long have you been here?”

“Half an hour or so. I went to wake Jones, but...” He shrugged, and a smile pulled at his lips. “That’s more of my best friend than I wanted to see.”

I gripped the back of my neck. “Sorry about that.”

“You really love him?” Ollie asked. He didn’t look upset, just worried.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“I don’t know about you, but I could really go for some coffee.” Ollie moved to one of the kitchen cabinets. I watched as he filled the machine with water, dumped in some scoops of coffee, and turned it on.

The soft gurgle of the machine filled the air, and I took a deep breath.

“I’m not here to hurt Jones again.”

Ollie popped a brow at me.

“I’m here for my career, but I’m also here to win him back. I don’t know why he let me back in, invited me to stay with him during the off week, but I’ll take it. I will gladly accept anything he offers me. No matter how big or small.”

The soft sounds of bare feet caused us both to turn toward the doorway .

“Charlie, are you—Oh, hey.” Jones flushed bright red. He had put on a pair of loose-fitting shorts, and an oversized t-shirt that hung off his shoulder that suspiciously like one of mine. “Wait, are you two actually being civil to one another?”

Ollie nodded. “Trying.”

“What happen to your lip?” Jones gasped. “Ollie, please tell me that Kit didn’t do that. I thought you were going to talk to him about that. You can’t keep letting him do this to you. It’s not right.”

Ollie’s eyes went wide as he looked in my direction. “Uh...” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Could we maybe discuss this later?”

Whatever was going on between him and Kit Atkins was clearly a disaster. And none of my business. Only if it was going to upset Jones, I might have to make it my business.

“I should let you two talk.” I started to move, but Jones grabbed my arm. His hazel eyes begged me to stay. “Bashful, I’ll be right outside.”

Ollie coughed. “I can go. You two have a lot to figure out.”

“Stay,” I told him. “Talk with your best friend, Jonesy. I’ll go and sit by the pool. Come find me when you’re done.”

Jones nodded and then he kissed me. His smaller frame pressed against mine, his hands tangled in my hair, and his tongue in my mouth. When he pulled away, he gave me a shy smile.

“Please don’t leave. ”

“I’m not going anywhere, Bashful.” I leaned forward. “I love you.” My lips brushed his ear, and he shivered against me.

Jones beamed up at me when I pulled back, his hazel eyes sparkling with happiness. “I love you, too, Charlie.”

***

“I brought you a coffee,” Ollie grumbled as he held out the mug.

When I took it, he sat down next to me on the edge of the pool and slipped his feet into the water. “So, you might have some questions.”

I shook my head. “It’s none of my business.”

“I know, but fuck...” he muttered under his breath, and I snickered. “Yeah, I’ve picked up some habits that I’m not proud of. Some of my coworkers are pretty vulgar.”

I could feel Jones watching us from inside the house. The heat of his gaze, the hope that Ollie and I might get along again. I couldn’t blame Ollie for being angry with me.

“It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. Don’t apologize on my account.”

“Kit and I have a complicated relationship.” Ollie dragged his foot through the pool, the sun glistening off the water. “We’re together, but he’s not out. Like at all. He’s so far in the closet that I’m afraid he’s never going to come out.”

I tilted my head. “And he hits you?” I found that strange, considering Kit was on the smaller size. He had a temper, though, and that was what usually got him in trouble. Screaming at the other drivers, yelling at his teammates, he seemed like a complete hothead. The fans loved to love and hate him, and Kit happily stepped into the part of the villain.

“Um, I’d rather not talk about that part.” Ollie’s ears burned pink. “Look, I know how this looks, but Kit hates himself. He hates who has to pretend to be, this cocky playboy. He’s not like that. He’s sweet to me when he wants to be. He cares about me. He’s just... confused.”

That was all kinds of messed up. “That doesn’t make it right, Ollie. Love shouldn’t be like that”

“You won’t say anything, will you? To anyone or to Kit? Please? When he’s ready, we’ll tell the world, but until then, could you just keep this a secret? For me? I can’t lose him,” Ollie whispered, his gaze still on the water.

“Yeah, of course,” I assured him.

Jones rushed out onto the patio, then, a cup in one hand and a big smile on his face. He pushed his way in between his best friend and me, leaning his head on my shoulder. “It’s such a beautiful day.”

“Mm, it is,” I murmured, my eyes on his face.

He giggled and shook his head as he reached for my hand.

Ollie stood up. “I should go. Let you two have this time together.”

“You can stay,” I offered, not wanting him to feel like we didn’t want him here.

Ollie shook his head. “I can’t. I have plans. I’m going to hang out with Holt Walker and some of the other crew guys, plus I sort of have a date with Kit tonight.”

“A date?” Jones perked up. “Tell me you’re going to do what we talked about. ”

Ollie chewed on his bottom lip. “Maybe, I don’t know.” But his eyes told the real story. The answer was no.

“Will you tell Holt that I’m sorry?” Jones said as he climbed to his feet. “And that I hope he’s okay? I feel terrible about what happened. Maybe I should send him some flowers or something. Would that be acceptable?”

Ollie snorted. “You don’t have to send him flowers. You could just text him, but I’ll tell him. You know Holt, he’s pretty chill.” He hugged his best friend before he spoke again. “You’re worried about Watts.”

“Uh, yeah. That guy wanted to lay me out for hitting his stepbrother, and I don’t blame him.” Jones nodded.

Ollie rolled his eyes. “He’ll get over it. By the next race, he won’t even remember what happened. There will be something new to worry about. I’ll catch you two later.” He raised a hand as he walked back through the house.

“Call me!” Jones shouted, then sat back down next to me. “That just leaves us.”

I pressed my nose into his soft hair and inhaled his familiar scent. “Whatever will we do?” I teased, then Jones was climbing up into my lap.

He linked his hands behind my neck. “I can think of a few things.”

Our lips met in a hot, wet slide, and all I could think about was the man in my arms. The soft sounds he was making, and the way his mouth felt against mine. That he still loved me. He still wanted me.

And I would do everything in my power to keep it that.