Page 34 of The Catch

I shake my head. I haven't been as good as he thinks. Just the night before, I let myself believe Ames' interest in me had been piqued. The way she looked at me, talking about my recreational activities with a hint of jealousy in her eyes— not that she said as much. Not that that's what she felt. But for those minutes I entertained the thought, my cock had happily betrayed my denial. Those feelings I thought I'd crushed under my heel aren't truly gone.

"No need to thank me," I say.

"That shithead. Aidan." He stares at me with a gesture that clearly means he'd like my validation.

I'm only happy to give it and I scowl at the man's name. Aidan called her trying to weasel his way into her life. Good thing she's decided she's fully done with him.

I only have to be careful not to get my head in the clouds again. She's given me no sign of looking for something new. Imagining myself as a knight in shining armor who offers to take over and give her forever is a mere fantasy. She's never seenmethat way. Why would she? Last night she listed what she wants in love. Not a single item would be used to describe me.

I have to find a way to incinerate these feelings, these questions, these hopes.

Pablo continues to vent. "I always got the feeling he was way too full of himself but, you know. I can't go telling my sister that." He snorts. "I'm glad she's not going back to him, but you were right last night. She's not out of trouble. She'll need some time to get on her feet again."

"Please, don't you start with that, too. I don't know what I need to tell Ames so she believes I'm happy to have her here. She can take as long as she needs."

"We're all adults. I know having her here kills your style with the ladies—"

"Oh my fucking—" I roll my eyes. "You two are definitely related. I'mfine."

"I remember how you were in college, okay? And from what I hear, that only got worse when you got signed."

"Worse, better, it's all relative but, last time I checked, my dick is still attached. It has not shriveled and fallen off for lack of use yet. I think I'll be fine."

He laughs. "I wasn't asking about your dick!"

"We're talking about Gael's dick?" Ames leans against the doorframe.

A blush blooms on her cheeks, but she smiles through it. The grin is brazen.

My cock likes the combination, and it perks up that Ames is thinking of him. I gulp, and try my hardest— ahem— to calm him down.

"Argh." Pablo closes his eyes. His whole face wrinkles into a tight gesture. "I do not need to think about Saint's prick, ever, and I definitely don't need to think about how much he likes to use it. Especially when we're talking about my sister, and while you two are living together."

The distaste on his face acts like freeze spray on my nerves. It cools me down, and my cock unhappily retreats. Guilt anchors itself in my guts, that I was so ready to get Ames' attention on me that way. While right in front of my friend, who clearly dislikes the idea of us.

"I wasn't the one to bring up my dick." I try for a playful smile.

For the millionth time, I'm grateful for my dimples and the amount of trouble they save me from.

Huh. A few memories float into my mind of my dad giving my mom a dimpled smile to flirt with her in the past decade. Could it be he used them to convince her to give him another chance?

Not that I should be using them to flirt with Ames.

"All dicks aside," she says, "your food is ready, Pablo."

"And Ihaveto leave now," he responds.

At the door of my condo, Pablo thanks me again, and Ames thanks him for the visit. Hugs last long.

"She needs a soft place to land for a while." Pablo slaps my shoulder. "I'm glad at least she has you."

It's a tease, but it needles me anyway.

Pablo's gone. Ames' sigh comes from deep within her, drawing her shoulders inwards. It makes sense. She will miss him.

For a few heartbeats, I do nothing but watch her. The way the morning light is so subtle through the windows that it tints all shadows in blue. How her skin and glossy hair take hints of purple, wherever the warm yellow of the lamp doesn't reach.

"Do you have time for a proper breakfast?" She turns to me, her smile somewhat sad. "I can make food for you before you go for training."