Chapter 41

We say nothing; we stand facing one another while I dry him off and then maneuver his clothes on carefully. Stretching the t-shirt neck to get over his head with minimal contact and hold my breath when overwhelmed with how good he smells. I can’t deny that Dane has always been a guy who likes to be clean and fresh and picks the best scents.

I pick up the arnica to ask if he wants me to apply some and get a headshake. I wonder if it’s an instant refusal because this already feels a little too intimate and touchy for two people with a weird thing between them. Despite his not mentioning my confession, the little ‘I love you’ jibe clearly indicated that he still has it at the forefront of his mind. He’s choosing not to talk it out.

When I’m done, he sits on the bed and lets me help him with his shoes after putting his socks on, made him sweat like crazy, and he groaned non-stop while bending. I can’t stand to see him struggle.

I lean at his feet and focus on tying his sne