Chapter Text
Rowan
The icons on the screen blurred in and out of focus in front of him. Rowan had dragged himself into class despite how little sleep he'd had last night and how sore he still felt. He pushed his unkempt chestnut hair off his forehead as he rubbed his eyes and reached for the iced cappuccino next to him. The gurgling sounds of an empty cup were all he got.
Damn it, I drank that too quick!
Rowan put the empty cup back down on the table and leaned back. Instantly regretting it as the chair pushed into his sore back. He cursed under his breath and sat up.
“Did you need to do another caffeine run before class starts?” Andy said from across the desk. “It’s only 9:15, so you still have time.”
Fuck, is it that obvious how tired I am that others could even tell?
Rowan tapped his fingers on the desk as he looked back at his friend. Andy hadn’t turned from his monitor, too engrossed in the work in front of him to look at Rowan. He only paused to adjust his glasses, which were half hidden by his thick, curly red hair, before his hand went back to the mouse.
“Nah, never mind. I am good,” Rowan said.
He knew his bank account would not stretch for another of those overpriced drinks from the campus coffee shop. He hadn’t really had the money to buy the one he already finished, but he couldn’t stomach any food and Rowan figured at least the coffee would mean he had something in his stomach.
Rowan pulled at the long sleeves of his shirt, pulling them to cover his wrists. The weather was getting warmer. How much longer was he going to be able to wear long sleeves before…
Rowan looked back up at Andy in alarm. “Shit, what time did you say it was?”
“Oh, well, it's 9—”
“Quick, the swim team is walking across the quad!” A yell from their classmates cut Andy off.
There was a loud scraping of chairs on the floorboards as a female group of students rushed to the window.
Like most mornings after nine am, the university’s swim team could be seen leaving the campus aquatic centre and walking across the school quad. Rowan was all too aware that the large window in the second-story room where he had his graphics in the modern world class, was one of the best spots on campus to watch the ripped bodies of the team’s four major stars as they strutted through the school.
Kaleb Angeles, the first year and youngest of the four and the breaststroke star. He was less than a year older than Rowan. They were similar in height, but that is where any likeness stopped. While Rowan was skinny and pale, Kaleb was toned and his deep olive skin glowed in the sun.
Blake Marshall, the second-year and swimming all-rounder. Tall with flawless tan muscles that always showed through the short sleeveless shirts he wore all year round. He was like a Ken doll that had come to life. He had the personality to match. Rowan always imagined Blake had walked straight out of some beach party, no matter the time of day or year it was.
Darcy Brax, the third year backstroke and freestyle swimmer. The tallest of the four and poster model himbo of the team. Bright green eyes shone against his dark tan skin and long dark hair tied into a ponytail. While Darcy wore sleeved t-shirts that at least covered his muscles, Rowan assumed that he must buy two sizes too small as his muscles always looked like they were about to burst out of the material.
And then there was Chase Lawton. Chase was the team’s freestyle champion and biggest star. Even in a team of beautiful, God-like men, Chase stood out. He was a University third year student like Darcy. Chase’s skills in the pool were only overshadowed by his looks. He was the very definition of the ‘bronzed Aussie’. Sun-kissed tanned white skin, short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. His perfect looks made him look like he’d walked off the set of an Aussie soap opera. There wasn’t a man or woman on campus that didn’t either want to be him, or be with him.
Chase Lawton was perfection in human form.
Rowan sighed as the girls in his class pressed their faces against the window to stare down at the team below.
“Oh, look at them! I could die against those thighs,” Amy said as she sat on her desk and pressed her face against the window.
“Yeah, but such a waste to see them still in sweat suits. When will the weather get hot enough for them to walk around without shirts?” Leonie sighed next to her.
“Agreed!” Kristy added, her gaze following the men out the window. “Those boys' swimming bodies are so crazy ripped.”
“Oh, to see Blake and Chase walking bare-shirt through the school.” Amy made a squealing sound. “I would die happy!”
There was a whistle from Rowan’s friend Steve as he walked into the room and glanced over at the window. “Yeah, I am not even into guys and I appreciate that Chase is like next-level good-looking.”
Steve turned and winked back at Rowan. Rowan just rolled his eyes.
“Isn’t he dating someone already?” Kristy asked.
“Who, Chase?” Amy said, not looking away from the window. “I’ve seen him with some women, but don’t know if he’s dating any of them. I did hear that he’s turned down anyone that approaches him here on campus.”
“Well, that makes sense.” Kristy said. “I don’t think that any normal human would ever have a chance with Chase Lawton.”
“He’s like an untouchable prince in speedos.” Leonie added. Fanning herself with her hand. “His family is loaded, too! Who wouldn’t want to date someone like that?”
“Forget Chase. I would be happy dating Blake or Darcy. With bodies like that, who would complain?” Amy said.
Rowan slumped in his chair. He was not in the mood to hear the entire class ogle the swim team today. He wished he’d just stayed in bed and slept this day off.
Andy’s head turned and looked at Rowan through the gap in the monitors. “What’s up with you lately, Rowan? I thought you were Chase Lawton’s number-one fan. Not going to take the chance to stare at him like everyone else?”
Rowan was about to reply when Steve’s hand grabbed his shoulder.
“Nah, Rowan’s still all depressed because he confessed his feelings to Chase and got rejected!” Steve laughed as he threw his bag down on the chair next to Rowans.
The pain from Steve’s grip went through Rowan’s skinny shoulder like a bolt of lightning. Rowan gritted his teeth and held back a cry. He pushed his taller friend’s dark tan hand off him and hoped he didn’t notice.
“Oh hahaha, fuck off Steven,” Rowan said as he rolled his eyes.
“Wait, Rowan, did you really get rejected by Chase Lawton?” Andy said. His green eyes were enormous with genuine concern.
“Don’t listen to this moron! He doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Rowan said, shaking his head. He just wanted to focus back on the screen in front of him again.
“Oh, come on, don’t you remember?” Steve continued. “At the pub at the end of last semester? You were going on and on about how you and Chase were destined to be together! You were going to tell him once and for all!”
Steve raised his fist in the air dramatically and made a voice. “Oh, Chase! Chase, my love, I’m different from all those other lovers you’ve had! Please marry me, Chase!”
“Would you sit down and be fucking quiet, you idiot?” Rowan pushed Steven down into his seat. “Look, that was just drunk talk. I wasn’t serious! As if I would really confess to someone like Chase Lawton…”
Rowan turned, catching a glimpse of swimmers as they reached the far corner of the courtyard below. Rays of sunlight sneak between the old sandstone buildings of the uni campus. The light bounced off Chase’s short blond hair like a glowing halo around him. His head turned as if in slow motion and for a second, it seemed as if those beautiful blue eyes were piercing up into Rowan's.
“Why would I want a useless dog like you?”
A rush of heat filled Rowan’s face. He twisted away from the window and crushed the plastic coffee cup, slamming it into the bin before slumping back into his chair.
“I have work to do!” Rowan snapped.
“Hey, I was just kidding around. You know that, right?” Steve said.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just…” Rowan swallows. “I am just stressed about these presentations coming up.”
Steven snorted. “As if mister high distinction over here has anything to worry about.”
“My marks are high because I work, Steve. you should try it sometime.”
“Nah, that sounds like it would be a pain in the arse.” Steve reached over and tussled Rowan’s hair. “Come on, it’s been an entire month since you have come out for a drink with me and Andy.”
“I told you, I have been busy studying, and now I am helping with the weekly swim team newsletter. I just have a lot to do.”
“Oh, you can have one night off, right? Why don’t we head to the pub after classes this afternoon? It’ll even be my shout?”
One night off?
Rowan bit his lip. A night off to not have to think about the mess he’d gotten himself into? It sounded like a blessing.
He smiled at Steve. “Yeah, maybe I could come out tonight.”
Rowan’s phone buzzed. He turned away from Steve and looked at the message.
6pm tonight. Do not be late.
Rowan curled his lip.
Tonight?
Rowan chewed at his lip and typed back.
But I have plans for tonight.
There was barely a second before the reply.
I wasn’t asking. I’ll send an Uber to pick you up.
Rowan winced. His sore body hurt more after reading the reply. He texted back.
My friends want me to go out with them tonight.
There was a long pause. Rowan swallowed the lump in his throat as he watched the dots on his phone move. The message arrived in a sharp buzz.
Do you really need to be told twice?
A chill went down Rowan’s spine. He quickly typed back.
I’m sorry. I’ll be ready at 6.
The reply came quickly.
Good dog.
Rowan felt a flush of heat in his face. He threw his phone into his bag before anyone saw the message.
He turned back to Steve. “Um, sorry, something has just come up. I can’t do drinks tonight. Sorry.”
“Hey don’t stress.” Steve patted Rowan’s shoulder. “If you want to spend your night working on the swim team newsletter, wanking to the photos of Chase in speedos, that's fine by me.”
Rowan punched him in the shoulder. “Shut up, Steve.”
“You're being gross, Steven,” Andy added.
“Have you thought about making the font three points bigger on just Chase's name in that newsletter? I bet he'd notice you then.” Steve laughed.
“If you are done. I have some actual work to do.” Rowan said, turning back to his monitor.
“Look, Rowan, I am your best friend. I am just trying to help you get laid before you graduate.”
“We don't graduate for another 3 years,” Andy said, not looking away from his screen.
“I know, and I am concerned it's not going to be enough time! Have you considered the possibility that there might be other men out there that are not built like some Roman God of the sea?”
“Neptune.”
“No, I meant the water one.” Steve said, tapping his fingers on the desk. “Oh, Poseidon!”
“Poseidon is the Greek God of the sea,” Andy said, shooting Steve a glare. “Your metaphor was that the swim team are all built like Roman Gods of the sea. That's Neptune.”
“Look, it doesn't matter. What I am trying to say is that it wouldn't hurt Rowan to stop dreaming about a man he’ll never have, and get out there and find someone who likes you for who you are.”
Rowan snorted. “Yes, I'm sure there is a queue of men who want to hang out with a graphic design major who spends their spare time adjusting the kerning on newsletters.”
“You know, there are plenty of people that would find that attractive,” Andy said. “You are a real catch, Rowan.”
Yeah right!
“Thanks, both of you.” Rowan sighed. “My love life is perfectly fine as it is.”
“What? Non-existent?” Steve laughed.
Rowan tugged again at his sleeves. “I’m happy about how it is, Steve.”
“Alright, well, then enjoy another night alone with Adobe InDesign.”
Rowan rubbed at his sore neck and went back to his work
It's better this way. They don't need to know the truth.