Page 7 of The Forever Vault

I thought Colton was joking when he told me the hotel’s name.

“That’s really the name of the hotel?”

“How’d you get here if you didn’t know the name of it?”

“I’m s-sorry. My boyfriend ordered the Uber and my friend booked the room. I thought it was a joke.”

“Ah, I see. Nope. Not a joke. ‘Cock’ is in the name for a reason.”

“I see that,” I said, taking another glance at the pool. “And yeah, I’m checking in. Camden Kane. Colton Walker made the reservation.”

Cam: What the fuck kind of hotel did you book us?

Colton: So you’re there? Great!

Colton: Zeph and I will be there in 10.

Knock knock.

“Open up, you big-dicked stud!”

I couldn’t help my smile after hearing that voice. I stood up from my seat on the bed and went to the door. Colton scooped me up into his arms and twirled around before I could say anything. “It’s so good to see you!”

“You saw me like a month ago at trials,” I said, matter-of-factly.

“Well, that was business. This is all pleasure. It’s different.”

“How come you never pick me up like that?”

Colton turned to look at Zephyrus. “You serious, darlin’?” As if the stance of his six-foot-five frame wasn’t obvious. “I didn’t know that was somethin’ you wanted. I can bench your weight, but I’d have to lift you over my head to get your feet off the ground.”

“I know. I get-”

“Jealous,” Colton and I said simultaneously.

Zephyrus rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t help.”

“Zeph, sugarbear…”

I ignored whatever reassurances Colton was giving him and walked over to grab something from my suitcase. I returned, waiting for Colton to finish. Once he had, I held up a jewelry box in front of their faces. As I pulled it back and opened it, I watched Zephyrus’s eyes practically jump out of his head.

“You can’t be serious. We’re dating!”

“They’re not for me and Colton! I’m proposing to Luke. Seriously, Colton, what have you done to his brain?”

“I agree. Zeph? Why’d you almost hulk out on Cam there?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I just- When you two get together, I just get…really insecure.” He ran his hand over his locs and rubbed his neck.

This, coming from a towering, Super Bowl MVP kitted out with the body of Zeus and the face of Tyson Beckford. Insecurity really could be found anywhere.

“You know I’d never step out on you. And you knew Cam before you knew me. He’s not that kind of person either.”

“I know, Colt. I guess I’m still…” he paused to look at me, then lowered his voice, “...getting over our time apart maybe?”

I felt like I shouldn’t be there and tried to slink back, but Colton grabbed my hand and thrust it into Zephyrus’s.

“Best friend,” Colton said, grabbing my cheeks with both hands for a second before letting go. “Boyfriend,” he added, doing the same to Zephyrus.