Crush

Worry

Asher

Jenson had his arm around Oliver's shoulders as they both walked out across the car park to meet me at my car.

I nearly growled at the sight. Jealousy had me firmly in its clutches as red clouded my vision at the view of Oliver having another man's arms around him.

Stupid.

Get a grip.

Closing my eyes briefly to take a deep breath, I blew out and refocused my attention on the most handsome guy I'd ever known and not his friend's arm draped over him.

Oliver and Jenson were best friends and had known each other for years. There was nothing going on. No need to be jealous. They didn't see each other that way.

But still ...

Jenson had a sombre look on his face - a far cry from his usual smirk - and he was squeezing Oliver to his side. Oliver had his head down, trudging along, allowing his friend to guide him. I couldn't see his face properly, but I recognized that he wasn't smiling either.

I knew he'd spoken to Chloe today. And I guessed he'd be feeling like shit afterwards. He genuinely cared about her. Cared about her feelings. He was a caring soul. Just like his dad.

Getting up from my leaning position against the car, I unlocked it as the guys reached me.

Jenson tipped his head in greeting. "Hey, man. Thanks for the offer of a ride."

"No problem." I shrugged. "I had practice, too, so it just made sense for us all to go home together."

Jenson nodded. Oliver glanced up at me, his eyes shining. Had he been crying?

Fuck.

I should have paid more attention to him this afternoon instead of watching out for Sofia. I didn't see her all day, but that didn't mean she wouldn't just appear out of nowhere right next to me. She had a habit of doing that.

Dropping his arm back down to his side, Jenson made his way round my car to the back door as Oliver moved closer to me. Unconsciously, I reached out to him, closing my cold hands around his warm ones.

"Hey," I whispered, smiling softly. "Are you okay?"

He smiled sadly and nodded. Sniffed. He was anything but okay. That much was obvious.

I pulled him closer to me, gripping his hands tighter and pressed my forehead to his. "Want to talk about it later?"

He sniffed again. Nodded.

I smiled again. "Okay." I pulled back, went to reach up to kiss his forehead and stopped.

Shit.

We were at school.

Forgot about that for a second.

I was too busy worrying about Oliver to notice where we were.

I squeezed his hands and gently let go.

"Let's get out of here."

He nodded again as I opened the door of the passenger side of the car for him. Closed it after I made sure he was in.

Jogging around to the driver's side, a movement from a tree near the door of the school caught my attention.

I stopped. Looked.

Nothing.

Looked again.

Nothing.

The wind had died down. Maybe it was a branch?