We smile at each other for a long moment before the click of Sadie’s camera reminds me that this might not be over. “Awe. That one’s really cute. Okay, so, I’m not really sure what the team is looking for, or how many images they’re hoping to include. Do you guys want to try any classic couple poses? Maybe get a few shots that don’t involve kissing.”
“What’s the fun in that?” I immediately question, but Oliver squeezes me tighter to him, muttering “behave” under his breath, and I quickly agree.
She directs me to stand behind Oliver and wrap my hands around his waist while he looks at me over his shoulder. My dick is right there, and his ass barely looks real with how round it is, so I scoot in close enough that I can playfully bump it with my thickening cock, and we end up laughing through most of the pictures.
Next, she has us hold hands and walk around the room. We walk toward her, away from her, and take a small lap around the area with all the extra lighting where they’ve hung the backdrop. I feel really silly until Oliver quietly says, “I’ve never been able to walk around and hold another man’s hand before.”
His admission makes something in my chest ache, and I squeeze his hand a bit tighter. Despite his somewhat shy demeanor, he’s seemed very comfortable during this whole thing. He agreed tohang outafter this pretty quickly, too. It’s been easy to forget just how new this all might be for him.
I’ve never felt the need to hide my sexuality. Indiana as a whole might not be the most progressive place in the world, but we were close to the Illinois border and north enough that people would act like we lived in the Chicago suburbs. I’d met plenty of openly gay people growing up, and it didn’t seem like something that I needed to hide or be ashamed of. I had plenty of friends, and my parents had bigger problems than worrying about who I was dating. I never even came out to either of them, but they knew I had a boyfriend in high school before I realized how little I cared to be in a relationship.
I wonder how many times Oliver has wished he could do the things I take for granted. I openly flirt with men all the time without giving it much thought. If I go out to pickup, I don’t worry about being seen in public. I might not have wanted to hold anyone’s hand for the last ten years, but feeling like you can’t do something is obviously different than not wanting to.
I squeeze his hand again. “I’m glad I got to do this with you. And that your team is being supportive.”
His answering smile is so pure and sweet that it almost makes me uncomfortable to be on the receiving end of it. At the end of the day, I know I’m just a nobody that someone who works for the team decided would look good next to this professional hockey player in pictures. Which makes sense because I’m hot, but I’m also a random bartender.
And I might have given him shit about not introducing himself, but my sister has hockey on enough at our apartment that I did recognize him. He’s her favorite player, and he looks likethat, so how could I not. I also know he isn’t some no-name rookie riding the bench. Oliver is one of the star players the announcers are always gushing over.
That I’m here with him at all is kind of hard to wrap my mind around. The fact that he’s invited me to go home with him after this is fucking wild.
But I’m not about to get in my head about it. Kissing him was amazing, and he obviously enjoyed it too. He seems like a pretty chill guy, all things considered, so I’m going to stop overthinking this and enjoy my night with him.
Then he’ll tell the world he’s gay, and he’ll probably be dating a movie star this time next month once they find out he’s available. And I’ll go back to my normal life, but I’ll be able to tease my sister about that time I hooked up with her favorite player.
Sounds pretty great to me, actually.
“Okay, guys. These look awesome, and I need to get some quick shots with the other players and the contest winners, so if you’re happy with what we have, I think we can be done here!” Sadie says, offering us the screen as she flips through some of the recent shots so that we can see them.
“Looks good to me.” I shrug, looking to Oliver to confirm.
He’s still beaming as he nods. “Thank you so much for today. Sorry if we got a little too into it at first.”
She waves him off. “No worries. I’m excited to see how the campaign goes.”
“Me too,” he agrees.
“Well, I’m going to let Lottie know I’m ready for the next people, so you’re both free to go. Best of luck with everything!”
We say our goodbyes and leave the makeshift studio. “So did you drive here, or did you want to come with me?” he asks as we head down the empty hallway.
“Oh, I definitely want tocome with you,” I tease, continuing quickly before he can change his mind. “Does that mean I was good? Do I get a reward?”
He bites his lip, and his cheeks darken as he glances around, probably confirming we’re alone before he responds in an equally flirty tone. “I guess we’ll have to wait until you’re at my place to find out.”
Hell yes. This is going to be so much fun. I’ll send Ivy a text when we’re in the car so she knows not to wait for me after her own pictures are taken, but I know she’ll understand. She was thrilled that I agreed to do the stranger session at all.
I try to suppress my smile so I don’t look too eager, but I don’t think I’m very successful. “Lead the way.”
CHAPTER 01
I stare at the screen. I can’t believe I’m entertaining this idea. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m a rule follower, or at least I’ve become one. I’ve learned to stay on the path laid out before me. Straying is frowned upon, something that was hammered into me with snide remarks and glares.
And what has all that rule following gotten me? Nothing. Literally. I have nothing left. My bank account was drained. My house was sold. The only car I could afford has seen better days.
But I’m free.
After living in hell on earth for the last five years with Ethan, I’m finally free.
