Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8
to celebrate their win and it had been Devin's decision to bring everyone to the roof because he knew how much Sam liked to look at the stars, especially in spring, when the sky in Savannah held more than any other time of year. It was just after sunset, the sky hadn't yet darkened to midnight blue, but the wind had picked up, sending a chill over Devin. The cold suited his conflicting mood.
Something was off because, no matter how much he wanted to stand next to Sam, making jokes and congratulating the team on their win, he felt like an outsider. For the first time in he didn't know how long, Devin felt alone. Surrounded by people, his friends, his team. There was some niggling feeling he couldn't put his finger on, something missing that tugged at him until he felt short of breath and claustrophobic, even in the rapidly cooling night air.
So he'd pulled himself away from the whooping group of men and escaped to the bar to watch Sam, lit from within after their victory, smile and laugh, one of the rare times he came out of his shell. He could never know how beautiful he was in these moments, and Devin couldn't bring himself to say anything. What would he say? "I've always noticed you, but never thought I deserved someone like you?"
That wasn't right. It was cheesy and over-the-top, and still somehow inadequate to describe the maelstrom of emotions he felt when he was around Sam. Mike made it seem simple, but it wasn't. This wasn't like hooking up with a hot guy he'd met on the dance floor, it was Sam. The sweet, cerebral, quiet man who'd been his friend for nearly two years and somehow managed to sneak out of the friend box into this no man's land where every word, every gesture was a promise Devin wasn't sure he could keep.
Sure, he'd had relationships. None of them serious. None lasting longer than it took for the passion to burn out and both to realize they had nothing more between them than hot sex and no desire for commitment. Sam wouldn't tolerate being dropped after a few weeks, after Devin got his fill and moved on with someone else. God help him, he wasn't sure he'd be able to walk away, not at the risk of losing their friendship. But he would have to. Devin just wasn't cut out for relationships and, as flattering as Sam's attention was, he would only hurt the other man. Somehow, he'd find a way.
"You know you could go over there. In fact, you should tell him how much all of his help with the team means to you. He'd appreciate hearing it."
Devin turned to Michael. Mike was leaning against the bar facing away from their friends, and as always, had a knack for knowing exactly what Devin was thinking about. Or who.
"He's fine without me," Devin said. He knocked back the rest of his drink and placed the tumbler on the bar. "Besides, he's got Lee."
"Spoken like a true jealous suitor."
"I'm not a suitor."
"You're vying for his hand." Mike chuckled and signaled the bartender for another beer. "It's cute. I think he'd get a kick out of you on one knee, telling him how special he is to you. Or maybe you could stand outside his window in the rain and sing to him. I think Ian has a guitar you can borrow."
"If I didn't like you so much I'd have to kick your ass."
"I'm not into that kind of foreplay."
Devin turned to glare at Michael then turned back to watching the team. Lee was just finishing up telling a group of onlookers about the end of the game.
"And then, just when I thought they had us, this one," Lee grabbed Sam by the arm and pulled him against his side, "snatches the ball, kicks it up the pitch, Mike catches it," he pointed to Mike nursing his beer, "and that sealed it. We beat those Shamrocks by one point thanks to this beautiful bastard. Let's hear it for the best winger in the league!" Hooking an arm around his shoulder, Lee pulled Sam close and delivered a quick peck on the lips.
Catcalls and whistles sounded from the team, the noise echoing throughout the rooftop bar. Laughing as he pulled away, Sam looked over to Devin. Their eyes met for a moment before Dev broke eye contact.
"You know he'd rather have you kiss him," Mike said.
"Yeah, it looks that way." Devin turned on his stool and leaned onto his arms. Lee was so "friendly," he couldn't keep his hands off Sam most days. Today was worse. He looked like he was finally ready to step things up between the two of them.
"Mike, you need to stop pushing me on this. It's not going to work." Especially with Lee in the picture, he wanted to
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