CHAPTER 2

"Jud, it's fine. I just figured, you know, you were an asexual volleyball-loving guy, but this works

too. You can be a dude's bro. That's not

so

bad,"

Klaus went on.

Jude closed his eyes, trying to will the embarrassment off. Why on

earth

had he needed to stare? Klaus was never going to let this go now.

"I won't say

anything if you don't want me to, but it's fine, really, it's fine," Klaus reassured him. He was too excited about this.

Jude sighed. "Don't fucking say," he said.

Klaus let out a little yelp of excitement. "I won't. I swear I won't. Oh, shit, they're coming over. You can

do this, okay? Don't lose

it, I've

got

your back," Klaus said quickly.

Jude started to

panic again.

He glanced and saw them both coming towards them. Shit. Jude picked

up his cup and took another big mouthful, grimacing at the taste again.

"Some

of

the

guys on the team," Yon explained, and his friend looked at them. His eyes were green. "Klaus is in my year, and Jude is a freshman."

Malachi Flynn took Klaus's hand. Jude's chest tightened as Malachi extended his hand to him, his green eyes inquiringly

tilted up to Jude.

“This is Malachi. He used to be on my team in high school.” Malachi’s voice was smooth and rich, carrying an easy warmth that made Jude’s heart race. His lips curled into that perfect smile again, showing just the right amount of teeth. “That’s quite a name,” he said, his eyes locking on to Jude’s. “Jude,” he repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue in a way that made it sound special.

My mom liked the book," Jude said and blinked. That made no sense at all. There was absolutely no context to that explanation. And why did he have to mention his mother as the first thing out of his mouth?

Malachi nodded in understanding. "Jude Finch," he said, snapping his fingers and pointing at Jude.

A shock of pleasant surprise ran through Jude. He nodded and Malachi's smile widened. Jude was

meant

to be smiling back, wasn't he? He was quite sure that wasn't

what his face was doing at the moment. How was he supposed to smile again?

"What position did you play?" Klaus asked.

Jude turned

to him, registering the slight head shake and the look that indicated

he was probably getting this wrong.

"Middle blocker," Malachi said.

"And you came here? Why didn't you play?" Klaus continued.

Malachi shrugged, his hands making

their way into his pockets. "Lost

interest."

How does

one lose interest in their team sport like that?

Klaus looked at Jude again, disapproving. "Shame. I'm getting

another round. Want one?" Klaus said, taking

hold

of the bottom of Jude's cup and pushing it towards him, making him drink again.

“I’ll help,” Yon said.

Oh, fuck no. Jude drank, and Klaus gave him a look.

He then turned to Malachi. “You know, that’s just his face. He’s not unfriendly. We’ll be right back.”

Jude widened his eyes at Klaus in embarrassment, and Klaus winked before walking away.

You had a good game today,

I hear," Malachi said. He smelled

subtly

intoxicating—a mix of fresh soap and a hint of something woodsy, like cedar or sandalwood. Clean and masculine, Jude found

himself

wishing he could lean in a little closer just to breathe it in.

"We won," Jude said, moronically, as if that weren't obvious from what Malachi had just told him. He rolled his own eyes. Internally.

"Yeah, I heard," Malachi said,

chuckling. "So you're a freshman and already a regular on the team? That's something."

"I've been playing my whole life," Jude said, trying to deflect the flattery. He wasn't sure he was

successful. He coughed. "The regular setter graduated last year, and the guy they

were

going to put in his place wasn't as good, so I got the spot."

"Yeah, David's better at blocking," Malachi said.

"That's right. He's pretty tall," Jude said and paused. How did Malachi know that? "You've been following

the team?"

I just don't want to be on it. Plus, David's a friend of mine," Malachi explained. "You're pretty tall too. You

must

be what? Six-three?" he asked, eyeing Jude up and down.

"Six-two," Jude corrected.

Malachi just stood there, simply looking at Jude. Jude hoped he wasn't making the face Klaus was always telling him he

was making.

"You don't look so scary," Malachi said.

Jude looked at him, puzzled. "What?"

Malachi smiled.

Yon and Klaus got

in, taking Jude's cup out and replacing it with a different one. For Pete's sake."You should come to practice sometime. You don't have to join

if

you don't want to, but would you like to play

anyway?" Yon asked.

Jude turned

to Malachi hopefully.

"Sure, I can play," Malachi said, and Jude's

lips

were

drawn

into

a smile. Malachi must be

beautiful playing too. Malachi turned to Jude again. "Would you toss for me?" he asked.

Jude's heart contracted. He couldn't get the words out, so he nodded.

Malachi's smile broadened. "Thanks for the beer," he said, rising

to his feet and extending

his

cup in Yon's direction. "I have to go.It was nice meeting you, seeing you," he said, facing

them

again.

"Sure thing, see you around," Klaus said and shot Jude a significant look, clearly expecting him to say something. Jude had no idea what it was.

"Same, man. I'm calling you out

for that game," Yon replied, and they did

a side hug.

Malachi looked at Jude and Jude bit his lip.

"Nice to

meet you too," Jude stammered.

Klaus smiled. Jude breathed

a

sigh of relief.

Malachi agreed and, with one last smile, walked away. Jude watched the back of his head as he pushed his way through the crowd. God, even the nape of his neck was attractive.

“He was a great player too,” Yon said.

Jude missed the first part of that conversation, still dazed from Malachi’s presence.

“Why did he quit?” Klaus asked.

His dad got sick before we graduated. He started here and was already really messed up. I tried to talk to him, but he would not listen. His dad died last year," Yon explained.