softly, looking up at John.
The voice reminded him that he knew everything he needed to: John was too scared of getting caught by his dad to have anything meaningful happen between them. Lukas should be focused on that and not having late-night conversations with him in his cabin.
Ignoring his logical brain, he walked over to the small table across from the bed and sat, waiting for John to sit too. Once he was settled in his seat, John cleared his throat. Lukas stopped fiddling with the edges of his covered plate and peered up at John from under his lashes.
“I’m not really sure how to start this conversation…” John ran a hand through his short hair, then scratched at the vacation stubble on his face. “But I know I owe you an apology at the very least.” He met Lukas’s gaze head-on. “I’m sorry I ran out like that.”
A record scratched in Lukas’s head. “Wait. That’s what you’re sorry for?”
“Yeah. What did you think I was going to apologize for?” John asked, eyes narrowing.
“Um, for almost… kissing me,” Lukas whispered, like someone might be outside the cabin trying to listen to their conversation.
“What?” John shook his head and scrubbed at his face again, then planted his forearms on the table and leaned forward. “No, that wasn’t what I was sorry about. Should I be? Did you not want that? I guess I just assumed after what you said about having feelings for me…”
Lukas was so confused, and John’s earnest face was tugging at his heart, and he just couldn’t—
Shoving to his feet, he looked around for an escape. “I should just go. It’s fine. I forgive you for running away, and I actually do get it, okay? My dad is your best friend, and you choose him.” He shrugged, feeling so off-balance that the motion nearly toppled him over. John was on his feet too, staring at him like he was losing it. “It’s fine—it’s good, actually. Friendship is important, and the fact that you value yours so much says a lot about you—”
A rough, callused hand stopped the flow of word vomit coming out of Lukas’s mouth. Thank god. He sucked in a hard breath through his nose and stared at John’s wide grin and sparkling eyes. Lukas’s heart was beating faster than was probably healthy as he waited to see what John would do.
“How did I miss how adorable you are?” John finally asked, voice hushed as he slid his palm away from Lukas’s mouth and down to the side of his neck. “Fuck. It’s like I was wearing blinders when it came to you.”
“What?” Lukas croaked out, unable to believe what he was hearing.
“You heard me.” John’s gaze dropped to Lukas’s mouth, and he sucked in a breath. “I know I fucked up a couple weeks ago, Lukas. But… I want another chance.”
“Another chance at what?” he murmured, eyes fluttering when John caressed his jaw and electricity danced on his skin.
“Kissing you. Seeing where this thing between us can go.”
Lukas’s lips parted in surprise at his words, and his hand flew up to grip John’s wrist, hanging on for dear life. Before he could say anything though, John continued.
“I know my relationship with your dad makes this messy, but I can’t just walk away from how you make me feel. We can figure out your dad later.”
Dear god, he was getting light-headed. He’d imagined this moment so many times that it was hard for him to believe it was real. That John was standing in front of him asking for a chance to give them a shot.
“How do I make you feel?” That wasn’t what he’d wanted to say. He’d meant to ask if John was saying they weren’t going to tell his parents about them, if a them actually developed, but he’d chickened out before the words could leave his mouth.
John smiled softly at him, intimately, and rubbed his thumb against his jaw once more. “You make me feel like the best thing that could ever happen in my life is right in front of me. That all I need to do is have the courage to reach out and grab it.”
Lukas’s body swayed toward him, and his blue eyes fell shut. Fuck, he was so beautiful. John didn’t understand how he never saw it before. He’d always known Lukas was sweet and funny and passionate about things he cared about, but… when did he become gorgeous and sexy?
Better yet, when did John start thinking of