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“Yeah.” He motioned with the ball and Liam held his hands up. Beckett’s aim was true, and Liam managed to catch it this time. “Told ya.”
He’d talk to Coury. Unfortunately, Beckett probably wouldn’t give them a chance to talk alone, but once he went home . . .
“I hear you two,” Pop shouted from the first floor. “Come down, the pancakes are almost ready.”
“Hopefully Coury will be in a better mood today.” Liam dropped the ball onto the chair and followed Beckett downstairs.
Chapter Twenty
Liam
The third floor of the library wasn’t usually crowded in the afternoon, and Liam found a table near a window. He’d spent most of the first three semesters studying here, but hands down he preferred studying at Pop’s house. Liked it even more because it provided him and Coury some privacy for study breaks.
But Coury had a frat meeting and he wanted to use the thirty-plus minutes it took him to drive there and back to study.
“Stupid frat meeting,” he said under his breath as he pulled out his books.
The real reason for his crankiness was Beckett’s impending visit. Their last night before his brother showed up and the frat had a meeting. Figured.
He shook his head at his ridiculousness. They’d still have their alone time later. And “go Coury” for using the hour after practice to study.
“Hey, Liam.”
He snapped out of his funk and glanced up. Charlie O’Leary was pushing the trundle of books to be put away. Despite that being as dull a job as Liam could imagine, Charlie always wore a smile.
“Charlie. How’s it going?” He stood and they fist bumped.
“Same old. Work, study, frat stuff. Wash, rinse, repeat. Haven’t seen you here in a while. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine. I moved off campus, so I study there now.”
“They let you out of your dorm contract? Not that I want out—I got into Lambda Chi and I can move into the house in August, but I thought you couldn’t leave mid-year.”
“You can when your roommate is a homophobic douche canoe and calls you a pussy-assed girlie man.”
“No way!” He clamped his hand over his mouth and looked around.
Liam laughed. Charlie was still Charlie. “Way.”
“They didn’t just move you, or better yet him?”
“He denied it. The school initially sided with him because he’s one of the haves.”
“Right. I’ve had a few experiences with the Billionaire Boys Club.”
Liam smiled. It was a stupid nickname, but it fit. “He’s not part of that club, but his dad’s a politician and well connected. I managed to record it the second time he said it, though. I just wanted out, so when my dad played the tape for the school, everyone decided it would be best if I just moved in with my grandfather who lives nearby.”
“That sucks. I like living on campus. And the frat’s really cool. No one cared that I’m gay. Plus I’m not the only one.”
“Oh? Anyone hot?” Not that he cared.
“Yes, and hands off. I’m hoping to ask Evan out one day.”
“No worries, I’m dating someone. He’s meeting me here after baseball practice.”
Charlie’s smile grew. “That’s cool. How’d you meet? Are you his tutor? Cause, I gotta say, that is just so freakin’ hot. The hot smart guy tutors the equally hot jock who’s probably in the closet. Sparks fly.” He rolled his eyes up.
The spark of anger at assuming Coury needed a tutor couldn’t catch fire in the face of Charlie’s antics. “You’re a nut, you know that? I know him from back home. He’s . . . uh . . . my brother’s best friend.”
“No fucking way.” He leaned his head toward Liam. “That’s even hotter than the hot closeted jock.”
Liam tried not to laugh but couldn’t hold it back. “Would you stop?”
“Sorry. I guess it’s been a while since I . . . you know.” Color crept up his neck.
“Yep. Got it.”
Charlie looked behind Liam. “If that’s your bro’s bestie coming this way, I can totally see why. He’s definitely hot.”
Liam turned just enough to see Coury heading toward him. When their eyes met, Coury flashed him a big smile that Liam never got tired of seeing. “Yeah. That’s Coury.”
“Hey Liam,” Coury said as he glanced at Charlie. “Sorry I’m late.”
“No worries.” When Coury inched closer, Liam kissed him. It was barely a peck on the lips, but it sent a jolt through him. “This is my friend, Charlie.”
“Nice to meet you.” Coury smiled and held out his hand. Was that a hint of relief Liam saw on Coury’s face? Probably wishful thinking, but Coury had stepped right up to Liam.
Charlie shook hands and looked flustered. “Nice meeting you, too. I’ll . . . um, get back to work.”
He banged into the cart. It was loud and the trolley wobbled, but it didn’t tumble.
Charlie’s face was as red as Liam could remember. He fixed a pair of books that toppled and smiled at Liam. “Sorry.”
