I scrape my brain, trying to figure out what he is trying to tell me. Where did the illegal bit come from? Like selling drugs? Or . . .
Pieces begin to click into place. His apartment is way nicer than mine despite him not actually having a real job when he first moved into it. He’s dressing differently—makeup and nails and glitter. That night when that Frankie guy showed up at his apartment and called him “Mickey,” they’d both been wearing heels and revealing clothing.
So, not selling drugs, but something else.
The possibilities running through my head are not good at all.
“Micah,” I say slowly. Cautiously. “You better fess up right now because I promise you, the thoughts in my head right now are way, way worse.”
He curls up in his beach chair, covering his face with his hands and groaning. It’s a wail of resignation as he decides to tell me what is going on with him, so I clutch the arms of my own chair in preparation for his confession.
Whatever he’s about to tell me, I can only hope my promise to him remains true.
✧ ✧ ✧
I’m still gaping at Micah in shock when my phone begins ringing. In a daze, I catch Vikki’s name on the screen and answer, trying to shake away the haze in my brain. “Hey. I was wondering when I would be hearing from you.”
She must catch the sound of the beach—seagulls, waves, people cheering for the volleyball players and surfers—because she asks, “Is this a bad time?”
“I guess it depends on if you have bad news for me.”
“I don’t,” she singsongs, sounding unnecessarily happy.
It’s contagious, and I find myself smiling in response. Tahegin has definitely had an impression on me. A good one. “In that case. This is the perfect time.” My gaze lands on Tahegin as he hops to his feet on a surfboard before expertly riding a wave as if he were born on the beach. He’s grinning and laughing even as he wipes out, and when he pops up from the waves, water glints in the sunlight as it rolls down his face, chest, and abs. If Vikki has good news, it must mean I’m on the team again next season, which means I get to be with Tahegin—sharing hotel rooms at away games and spending nights at his house. I become nearly as giddy as Vikki.
“The Rubies are extremely impressed with your performance, and they want to ensure you choose them for next season. They offered a 13.3 percent increase to your salary and a two-year contract. This deal won’t last forever, so—”
“Yes!” I blurt entirely too quickly. “I mean, yeah. That sounds good.”
“Great!” She lets out a “whew” of relief. “I swear, you have been my least problematic client this off-season, but never mind. That is off topic. Anyway, you have already signed a contract with me, so I can finalize this deal without you, but if you would rather come to the office to be the one to sign this dotted line, I can meet you there. You sound busy, though.”
Still staring at my boyfriend, who is now coming ashore, I barely register Vikki’s words. Excitement flutters in my gut at the thought of spending two more seasons with Tahegin, and all I want is to celebrate with him. “Yeah,” I say distractedly. “You can do it. That’s fine.”
Vikki gives me some kind of confirmation, but I’m not sure if I acknowledge her before Tahegin is standing, dripping, at the foot of my chair. My phone slips forgotten through my fingers as he grins at me.
“What?” I ask, sounding slightly winded.
He climbs up the chair until he’s lying beside me, propping his head on his hand. One of his fingers reaches out to trace an exposed dimple on my cheek. “I saw that smile from the water and just had to come bask in it.”
I roll my eyes. “That was cheesy.”
“Made you smile more, though.” His hand glides down my arm, leaving a damp trail, before entwining our fingers. “What’s got you so happy?”
Looking to the side, I see Micah and Aleks in a similar position to us, so I include them in my announcement. “Well, I just heard from my agent . . . and I have a two-year contract with the Rubies.”
The guys cheer, and Tahegin leans over to peck my lips, mumbling against them. “Congrats, babe.”
“So, you’re all going to be together again next season?” Micah double-checks.
Aleks shrugs. “I’m still on contract. Sour just got his. Gin, you should be hearing something soon, right?”
Tahegin’s brows furrow, and he frowns. “Huh. I forgot the end of this season marked the end of my contract.”
“Technically, you’re a free agent right now,” Aleks points out.
Sitting up, Micah lowers his sunglasses on his nose to give Tahegin a look. “Free agent? As in, you aren’t on the Rubies?”
“Just while they negotiate his contract,” Aleks explains quickly. “I’m sure he’ll be signed again any day now. Coach won’t let him go that easily.”
Nerves ignite in my belly. In the back of my mind, I’d known Tahegin’s contract would be up at the end of the season, but I’d somehow forgotten with everything else going on.
Lips meet my cheek, pulling me from my distracted thoughts. “It’ll be okay,” Tahegin assures me. “I’ll hear from them soon.”
The guys sun themselves dry, and Tahegin invites Micah and Aleks for an early dinner. The pair exchange a glance before donning matching mischievous smirks.
“I think we’re going to go back to Aleks’— house!” Micah jumps as Aleks grabs his ass, and . . . Yeah. They’re gone in a blink, sprinting for Aleks’ car in the parking lot.
Laughing at our friends’ retreating backs, Tahegin turns and waggles his eyebrows at me. “Wanna come back to mine?”
“Hmm.” I tilt my head side to side, pretending to consider the offer.
Tipping his mouth to my ear, he purrs, “I’ll suck you off if you come home with me.”
“Say less.”
The drive is a blur. Tahegin sits in the passenger seat of my car, his hands wandering all over me while I try to keep the tires in a single lane. I groan as his fingers graze up the inner seam of my shorts, but he pulls away just before they can reach where I am aching for him to touch. He’s given me a few blowjobs so far, and each time, I desperately wish to reciprocate. When it comes to me doing anything to him, though, he always redirects or tells me he wants to go slow to keep me from getting overwhelmed.
News flash, Tahegin, I want to do all the things with you. Get over it.
