Love, On Read (MxM)

Chapter 25: Tabloids

A/N: I didn't forget about this story  😅 I'm a bit behind on figuring out what comes next in this story, and I've been working on the ONC stories lol. Thanks for waiting <3

Ollie's POV

Haruto drove me home after his shift. I couldn't find the words to say the entire ride, letting him ramble about Janice before occasionally mumbling the lyrics from the songs on his playlist.

He turned down the radio as we pulled into the guest parking stall outside my apartment. "You'll be alright?" 

I almost laughed at his question.

If I asked you to stay over, would you? I crushed the thought of asking before I could convince myself it would be funny to ask. "I guess so."

He pursed his lips. "You have my number. You can always text or call me."

"I know."

Before placing a tentative hand on my shoulder, he turned in his seat. "If they bother you—"

"Yes, taekwondo, I know," I half-mused before leaning over the console. Whether it was because I craved his comfort or because I just always found myself relying on Haruto, he didn't seem surprised.

"I am a bit rusty, granted."

I forced a smile before resting my head on his shoulder, his hand shifting to a more comfortable position on the console between us. I resisted the urge to reach for his hand, already fearing I was too forward by leaning on him. "Thanks."

"Always." He didn't move, letting his word hang in the air between us as I pushed the thought of today's events behind me—or tried to.

"I should head inside," I finally said, reluctantly removing my head from his shoulders. "Herb will probably come around if we stay in the stall long."

"Herb?"

"The security guard. Lately, a lot of people abuse the guest parking." I pointed to the clock on the radio. "It's only supposed to be used from 9 am to 10 pm."

He laughed. "Shucks, I was going to walk you to the building."

"It's fine. I can walk the ten yards on my own. Thanks again."

"Night, Ollie." His face beamed, not in his typical customer-service smiles, but a genuine one, as we had on those friend dates. "See you tomorrow?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, see you then—there, I mean. The usual."

He laughed breathily. "Night."

"Night," I echoed, fumbling with the seatbelt before opening the car door. "And thanks—I said that already."

"Good night."

"Yup," I mumbled before closing the door, rubbing my temple embarrassingly. I trudged up the sidewalk to the apartment, hearing Haruto start the car once I reached the door. Herb was seated at the booth, browsing on his phone.

He tipped his hat before giving me a sinister smirk as I stepped in. "I reckon you would've brought him up this time. Maybe third time's the charm?"

"Third?"

"This is the second time that fella's dropped you off. As I stated before, I wouldn't have said a peep if you had brought him up. Maybe next time, invite him, would you?"

I sent him a glare. "Herb. I told you—"

He cleared his throat. "And I said, it would've been perfectly fine. Obviously, a gentleman if he drove you home twice. He even waited for you to reach the door."