Better to Believe (Harrison Campus 4)

Coury caught the move and shook his head. “Here.” He took the red cup and held out a water bottle he’d brought for himself. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you pretending all evening. Even if I hadn’t, that beer has got to be warm as piss by now.”

“Eww. I could have lived without that analogy.”

“Sorry.” He tapped the cold bottle against Liam’s hand. “Take this and no one will bother you about needing another beer.”

He hesitantly took the bottle. “Personal experience?”

“There are always some of us that can’t drink for one reason or another. Water bottle is code for not drinking.”

Liam gripped the bottle. “Then you keep this. I’ll get one later.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll either get another or drink some of yours.”

Liam stilled. How did he answer that? His traitorous hormones liked the idea.

Coury winced and waved it off. “Sorry, that’s gross, isn’t it? When you’re on the field and thirsty, you drink what’s available. Yours or not.”

“It’s not gross.” Liam shrugged. “I mostly run alone. I don’t mind sharing.”

Coury folded his arms and leaned back, shoulder brushing Liam’s. “If you want to walk around and check out the guys, we can. Or you can go alone if you prefer.”

And watch Coury looking at other guys, too? No thanks. “I’m good. If you want to . . . mingle, that’s cool. You don’t need to babysit me.”

Coury laughed. “Like hanging with you is so terrible. I’m having a good time right where I am. Besides, I’ve got so much going on right now, there’s no point meeting anyone. Dating.”

Oh. So did that mean he was only into hookups? Or was he avoiding guys or girls completely?

“You’re quiet.” Coury side-eyed him. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just taking everything in. It’s been a while since I went out.” Not totally true. He’d just never gone to a frat party.

Coury shrugged. “You’re not missing much. We could stand around and talk at your grandfather’s house and be a lot more comfortable. I wouldn’t have come if this wasn’t important to Luke.”

“And it’s important to Luke because it’s important to his boyfriend’s sister’s third cousin, twice removed, on his stepmother’s side, right?” Liam sipped the cool water.

“I think you missed a play cousin in there.” Coury stole the bottle and drank deeply. “But you got the idea.”

He handed it back, and Liam drank again. Lips, where Coury’s had been.

The closest Liam would ever get to kissing him.

Chapter Four

Coury

Liam: Can we study at my place? Pop’s got a cold so I want to be sure he rests.

Coury: You sure it’s okay for me to come over? We can skip it if you need to take care of him.

Liam: If you don’t come over, who’s going to wash the dishes as payment for my help?

Coury dried the last pot and handed it to Liam to put away.

“Thanks again for helping,” Liam said. “If I’d known you’d insist on cleaning up, I’d have added the house needs to be vacuumed.”

Coury smirked. Who knew Liam liked to joke? The kid—the guy had always been so serious. “Thank you for feeding me.”

“Leftovers Pop made is hardly me feeding you.” He plucked the dish towel from Coury’s shoulder; the edge slid over the sensitive skin at his neck, eliciting a shiver. Coury rubbed away ticklish goosebumps.

Liam hung the towel over the oven handle and Coury smiled, like a proud parent. Thoughtful to take care of his grandfather when he was sick, neat and tidy, and smart as could be. Liam would make someone a fine husband one day.

“What?” Liam eyed him suspiciously.

Coury leaned back against the counter and folded his arms. “Just thinking what a nice guy you are. The way you take care of everyone. Who takes care of you?”

Liam waved off the compliment. “If you knew all the things Pop does that make my life simpler . . .”

Add modesty to the list.

Liam fidgeted with the dish towel, straightening it, not meeting Coury’s eye. “Let me make sure he doesn’t need anything, and we can get studying.”

He dashed out of the room.

Coury lingered by the sink for an amused moment, then fetched his backpack from the foyer. Liam was . . . fun. Funny. Something he hadn’t known. Beckett’s big personality always drowned Liam out.

He had to have words with Beckett. With a bit of encouragement, Liam would be the charm of the party.

“Hey,” Liam said softly, and Coury jumped. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just thinking.” He quickly added, “About the test.”

“Next time I’ll stomp.”

“That was the most sorry-not-sorry apology ever.” He started for the kitchen.

Liam pressed a long-fingered hand on Coury’s chest. “Mind if we use the basement? Pop’s trying to sleep. He won’t hear us down there.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Want coffee? I’m making some.”

“Hell yeah.” He slapped a hand over his lips and glanced sheepishly down the hall. “Sorry.”

“He’s not asleep yet.” Liam smiled. “Head down, I won’t be long.”