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He couldn’t be far if he left on foot. That was what I was hoping anyway, but I had no way of knowing unless I went to the parking garage, which was where I headed first. The only time he used his car was when he had a therapy appointment or he went home to visit his family for a couple of days when he had breaks or on the weekends, which was rare in itself.
When I entered the parking garage, I sagged a little in relief when I saw his car still sitting in its usual spot. It hadn’t been moved since he parked it there last. It gave me more hope that I’d be able to find him easier—just needed to check his usual haunts first.
Sterling was a man of routine, and I had a feeling that wouldn’t change, even if he’d no doubt seen the social media post about him. I was pretty sure that was why he’d gone running. He wasn’t ready to face everyone knowing something so personal about him. And putting him down for it.
One would think being in college meant we didn’t have to deal with childish bullshit like this, but nope. If anything, it was even worse.
My hands white-knuckled the steering wheel as I slowly drove around campus where Sterling frequented. Finally, I found him running laps around the track field. He didn’t come here often, which was why it was one of the last places I’d checked. And it was nearly empty, which explained why he’d come here.
Quickly, I parked my car and swung out of the driver’s seat before jogging into the entrance, running to catch up with him. He looked over at me in surprise when I fell into step next to him, and then a sort of peace fell over his features, a small smile tilting his lips, the shadows momentarily disappearing from his dark eyes.
I returned the smile, ignoring the worry constricting my chest for the time being. For now, he just needed to know he wasn’t alone, that I wasn’t going anywhere.
So, for the next hour, we continued to jog around the track until he felt like he’d outrun whatever was chasing him. Near the entrance to the track, he stopped, his chest rapidly rising and falling, sweat running down his face. And surprising the hell out of me, he turned and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, burrowing his face in the crook of my neck.
My chest loosened as I quickly enveloped him in my arms, pressing a tender kiss to his temple.
“I’m always here, baby,” I said softly, the term of endearment slipping out before I could stop it. But the way he shivered in my arms and stepped closer, pressing us together, I knew it was the right thing to say.
5
Sterling
The water pulsed down over my back, washing the sweat and grime off my skin from my run. Exhaustion was sitting like a heavy weight on my shoulders. Today had been a shit-tastic day, despite it starting off great. I’d woken up in Graham’s bed, wrapped up in his blankets and swarmed with his pillows. The scent of him had been clinging to my skin and clothes, relaxing me. I’d even made so much progress by letting him comfort me and hold me after my nightmare last night.
Then, I’d logged onto social media, like I did every Saturday morning while waiting on Graham to finish hockey practice, and the first post I’d seen was two pics of me. One was okay—I actually looked kind of hot. The second pic, someone had zoomed in on my dick and made a disgusting comment.
When you can’t get your dick up.
It was still running through my head on a fucking loop. I couldn’t get it out.
The number of reactions and comments on that post had sent me spiraling, and a panic attack had grabbed hold of me, dragging me into its dangerous riptide. There’d been no hope for me, and it’d been a struggle to bring myself out of it.
When I did—with tears running down my face and my teeth chattering—I’d shoved my feet into my shoes and did the only thing I knew to do.
Run. Run from my demons. Run from that fucking post.
Justrun. As far and as fast as I could.
Graham showing up had been a lifesaver. He’d kept pace with me the entire time, not once complaining even though I knew he’d just finished practice. Then, silently, he’d held me when I hugged him, desperate to feel his arms around me. Because with Graham, I knew everything was okay. I was safe, and no one could touch me.
The car ride back to our dorm building had been silent, but he had held my hand the entire way. We even took the stairs up to the fifth floor instead of using the elevators. Then, he’d simply pressed a kiss to my lips and left me to gather my clothes for a shower.
I leaned my head back, letting the water drench my hair. I just wanted to go to sleep. Or at least curl up in bed with Graham where the rest of the cruel, harsh world couldn’t touch me for a little while. Because Graham wouldn’t let it.
I quickly washed my hair and body before turning the water off and stepping into the area to dry off and get dressed. “Babe, you okay in there?” Graham asked from the other side of the curtain.
“Yeah,” I rasped. I cleared my throat before attempting to speak again. “I’ll meet you in the dorm room.”
I heard him walk off a moment later. After tugging on my sweats, I towel-dried my hair. Once it was no longer dripping, I tossed my towel over my bare shoulder and grabbed my basket of toiletries before heading to our dorm room up the hall. When I walked in, Graham was reclined back in bed, his hair damp, his torso bare. Nothing but a pair of boxers was riding low on his hips, revealing the V of his hips.
Good fucking Lord, he was hot as hell.
“Come on,” he coaxed, patting the spot beside him. “I’ve already got a movie ready to go.”
I smiled at him as I hung my towel up to dry so it wouldn’t be mildewed when I put it in the laundry and set my toiletries on the counter. I crawled over him and settled by the wall before resting my head on Graham’s chest. He wound an arm around me and pressed play on the movie.
I walked my fingers over his abs, not even paying attention to whatever he had on. I just needed to touch him. Pleasurable tingles ran through my body, but my dick wasn’t getting hard despite it. Still, I wanted to touch Graham however I could, even if I got nothing in return.
