Page 97 of Full Body Hit, Part 1

Chase frowned. “I have a thermal layer below this.” He pulled the neck of his sweater down to show a low-necked shirt.

“Well, it’s obviously not helping.” Auston fanned out the jacket and draped it over Chase’s shoulders.

“Hey. Quit it, I don’t need it.”

“You’re literally shaking. It’s fine.”

“I don’t want it.”

“Oh, my God.” Auston rolled his eyes and walked away.

Chase was hot on his heels. Something hit Auston’s head, draping over his face. He pulled it away, not surprised when it was his coat.

“What the…” He turned, but Chase was already running away.

What proceeded was perhaps not the most mature moment of Auston’s life.

He raced after Chase like a bull, head down and feet kicking up gravel. Chase squeaked when Auston got to him and covered him with the coat.

Auston took the opportunity to escape, but Chase managed to catch him quickly, speeding around a bush a second later.

“Damn,” Auston said. “How the fuck are you so fast?”

“Maybe you’re just slow,” Chase laughed.

Auston frowned. He was not losing this one.

He crouched low, hiding behind the greenery, scuttling sideways like a crab and pouncing on Chase when he reached him.

He crushed Chase to his chest, hot and panting, the whole bulk of him squirming against him.

“No,” Chase shouted, elbowing Auston in the gut and escaping.

Auston doubled over, huffing, but he couldn’t help but grin as Chase scampered away.

Auston wasn’t sure how long they went after each other like little kids, but they were both panting and flushed by the end of it.

Chase might have had the speed, but Auston had the stamina.

“Got you,” he wheezed, using the coat to nab Chase, winding it around him and pulling him close.

Chase squawked as he was yanked back and crashed into Auston’s chest. He wiggled, but Auston held him tight. “Stop fighting,” he gritted out.

Chase seemed exhausted enough to listen, slumping into Auston. “Urgh, fine.”

Auston grinned, more pleased with himself than he should be, but the expression slipped off his face as Chase twisted and looked up at him.

Fuck, they were close. He could feel the damp warmth of Chase’s breath, the solid line of his body, the way a flush climbed from the apple of his cheeks to his temples.

Auston needed to move his arms. Let Chase go. But he was frozen, caught in something he didn’t understand.

It was the sound of approaching steps that finally unstuck him.

He flinched away, letting go of the coat. Chase grabbed it, face even redder than before.

Auston scrubbed a hand through his hair.

What the fuck was that?