Love Him Free (On the Market #1) - E.M. Lindsey Page 0,86

smart—and maybe…God, maybe he was right. Maybe this was all some sort of game for Rocco to make himself feel better until Eric apologized.

It’s not like Simon had anything on the guy. It was obvious that between them, Eric was Swarovski crystal and Simon was a dandelion growing between spaces in the sidewalk. Eric was rich, and beautiful, and he understood the world Rocco lived in. And he spoke his language better than Simon could hope to. He felt like such an idiot.

“Rocco’s getting pizza,” he heard himself say, startled that it wasn’t obvious in his tone that this man had taken an atom bomb to is entire life. “If you really think he’s interested in hearing your apology, you can go find him.”

Eric lifted a brow. “He can’t hear it, he’s Deaf.”

Simon snorted before grabbing his keys and backing up. “If you think ears are the only thing used to hear what people are saying—you have a lot to learn. It was nice to meet you, Eric. I hope you enjoy the market.”

He didn’t text Rocco after that, he didn’t look up, he didn’t run, he didn’t stop. He just walked. He walked until he reached his car, and then he drove. He made his way into his apartment and locked the door, and managed to reach the sofa as cat Rocco found him and curled up in his arms.

He didn’t cry, in spite of the way it felt like he’d been flayed open. If he closed his eyes, he knew he’d picture Eric approaching Rocco—the fight, their hands flying, the passion simmering between them.

And Rocco would hold Eric the way he’d held Simon, wouldn’t he? And he’d kiss him the same. He’d forgive him. He’d go home.

Right?

His phone buzzed, so he turned it off.

He didn’t really know what Rocco was going to do, but at the moment, he wasn’t brave enough to ask. It was easier to close his eyes, hold his cat tight, and wait for the world to pass him by.

Chapter Nineteen

Rocco made his way back through the sparse crowd, knowing Simon was probably ready to pack it all in and head home. The stall had been nearly cleaned out before he’d gone for food, but more that, he could see it in Simon’s face.

They hadn’t gone too deep into Simon’s past, but Rocco knew enough to know that his boyfriend probably suffered from at least complex PTSD, if not something else that triggered his anxiety. Simon had been dipping his toes outside his world of baking and holing up in his apartment just before Rocco arrived in Cherry Creek, but he knew it was a process.

He knew that doing filming and going on dates, and running a booth wasn’t going to cure Simon. He was well aware his boyfriend would never fit in the life Rocco lived back in Malibu. The best part about that, though, was Rocco liked the idea of abandoning ship. He liked having this escape, and he felt absolutely no draw to head back to the total chaos from his past. He wasn’t ready to give up his job, but he had options, but he was more than willing to commute once his shit with Xander was sorted out.

Rocco reached the booth, then paused with a frown when he realized it was empty. Simon’s bag and the cash drawer were gone, but the empty, leftover bins were still stacked along the side. Setting the pizza and drinks down, Rocco dragged a hand through his hair, then spun around and narrowed his eyes at the crowd.

He didn’t see Simon, but the blacksmith, Birdie, was watching him from across the way with a look on his face like he might know. Rocco didn’t waste any time walking up. ‘Did you see Simon?’

Birdie bit his lower lip. ‘He took off. Some guy walked up to him and Simon looked…’ Birdie’s hand wavered in the air. ‘Afraid,’ he finished. ‘The guy started signing something really fast, then laughed at Simon. Simon took off after that.’

Rocco blanched. ‘What did he look like?’

At that, Birdie laughed. ‘Pretty. Nice clothes, dark blonde hair, sunglasses. Attractive.’

Rocco didn’t want to believe it—refused to consider that Eric would actually drive down here, but there was no other reason—no other person—that could send Simon rushing off without a word to Rocco.

He pulled out his phone and shot him a quick text, Are you at home? He said thanks to the other man, then walked back toward the booth and stared at the