Harmless(39)

"I need to talk to you for a second," Seg said, surprising him. "Alone."

Okay then. Roan turned back to see Cam staring at him. If he didn't know better, he'd think there was a rueful smile on the man's lips.

Rather than stand there and look like a dumb ass, Roan followed Seg down the hallway and closer to an exit door.

When they were out of earshot of the others standing around, Seg stopped but made sure his back was to the people down the hall.

"I tried to call you," Seg said. Although his voice was pitched low, there was a distinct ring to it. 

Roan could tell he was pissed and he was working pretty damn hard to hide it.

"I know," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant. As though he didn't give a shit that a previous hookup had tried to get in touch with him. Truth was, in every spare minute he had, he'd thought of nothing except for Seg.

"I'm coming by tomorrow," Seg stated. It wasn't a question; it was a flat-out statement. Almost like a threat. "I want to talk to you."

"Can't do that," Roan told him, desperately trying to avoid his gaze.

"Tough shit."

Roan met Seg's eyes, holding them. He made sure Seg saw every ounce of defiance that had built up in him. No one was going to talk to him like that.

"I don't want to see you," he lied.

"Bullshit." Seg's voice dropped another octave. "But if that's your stance, so be it. I'm still coming by so we can talk."

Roan shook his head.

"It's nonnegotiable, Roan."

Roan took a step closer, getting right up in his face. "You want to play rough? You think you can threaten me? There's a room full of people behind you who would be over the fucking moon to know a few things about you."

Seg never moved; his gaze never wavered. "You want to threaten to out me? Fine. That doesn't change a goddamn thing. You want to ruin my career? Have at it. That doesn't mean I don't have a few things to say to you."

Shit. That threat didn't work the way he'd hoped. It wasn't like Roan would ever out the man anyway. That was his fear showing. Fear that Seg would find out things about him that he didn't like, and Roan preferred that didn't happen. He wanted his memories with the guy to remain untainted by anger or disappointment.

"See," Roan grumbled, "that's the reason I don't answer your calls, Seg." Roan peered behind Seg to ensure no one was listening. "I'm not gonna sign on to be anyone's dirty little secret. Not now, not ever. You want to keep parading around with women so the tabloids will pick that shit up, that's your business. But I'm not the man who will sit back and watch."

That time his words did seem to surprise Seg.

And even though it was only a partial truth, Roan knew that was the excuse he was going to have to stick with.





Eleven

ALTHOUGH IT SOUNDED LIKE A legitimate reason for Roan to keep his distance, Seg didn't buy it for a second.

Oh, sure. Maybe the guy wanted to live out and proud. Seg got that vibe from Roan. He got that vibe from all of Roan's friends as well. They didn't hide. They didn't give a shit about what anyone thought of them. That was great and fine.

Unfortunately, it wasn't that easy for everyone. Especially not for Seg.

Still, he wasn't going to let it stop him.

"I'm still coming by," he insisted. No way was he going to let Roan slip through his fingers one more time.

"Not an option," Roan hissed. "I'm done, Seg. No more."

With that, Roan brushed past him, bumping Seg's shoulder as he did. It took everything in him not to put his fist through the wall. Considering it was made of concrete blocks, that would've been a tragic thing. Instead, Seg remained where he was, fuming. When he finally got some of his anger under control, he turned around to see Roan's friend coming out of the office, carrying an armful of stuff. Seg watched Roan, who looked disinterested in anything that was going on.

Before the two of them turned to leave, Roan glanced once more down at Seg, and he held his stare. Seg was going to Roan's place. Even if it meant he was going to piss Roan off. He deserved the chance to say something. And then, if Roan didn't want to have anything to do with him. Fine. He'd go about his business.




 

 

Maybe if Roan would make it a little less clear that he wanted him, Seg might be able to buy his bullshit. But he'd seen it in Roan's eyes. He'd seen the heat that flashed there. Roan wanted him. Whatever Roan was running from, Seg didn't think it was entirely his fault.

He finished in the locker room, spending the required ten minutes on the bike, followed by a few calisthenics, then on to the showers. By the time he was dressed in his suit, the reporters had dwindled and the guys were leaving.

Seg grabbed his bag and headed out to the parking lot.