L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 96

The rumor spread so fast that there were plenty of times when people heard Ashley had been rejected before they even heard he’d confessed or kissed Koi. As a result, the whole school was buzzing with talk about Ashley.

“He got rejected again? Ashley Miller?”

“You sure it’s not some other Miller?”

“First Elle, and now this? No way.”

“They said he asked a guy out. Of course he got turned down.”

“Guess breaking up with Elle really messed him up.”

“Yikes.”

“Honestly, he’s kind of lame now.”

“Yeah, he used to seem so cool.”

“Totally disappointed.”

Ashley and the rest of the ice hockey team quietly watched the girls walk away, chattering as they went. It was Bill who spoke first.

“Ash, don’t you think you owe us some kind of explanation?”

Everyone turned their eyes to Ashley. He gave a bitter smile and looked awkward.

“I confessed and got rejected. That’s all.”

The others exchanged glances, and finally one of them couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“No, but like... why’d you confess to Koi?”

“Yeah, how can you do that to another guy?”

Like most people, they couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea of two people of the same sex—who weren’t Alphas or Omegas—liking each other. Maybe it was because the other person was Ashley Miller. Even Koi had the same reaction at first, so maybe that was just the norm.

The reason Ashley had been able to accept his feelings so easily was because his environment had been different from theirs. Would they have seen it differently if their parents weren’t Betas? Ashley thought of the unanswerable question and then brushed it away.

“That’s just how it happened. Liking someone doesn’t go the way you want it to.”

“True that.”

Bill nodded in agreement and lapsed into thought with the others. It didn’t take long before he broke into his usual smile and spoke again.

“Well, it doesn’t matter to us. Whoever you like.”

“Yeah. You’re our friend.”

“Same here.”

“Me too.”

These guys, always with the best teamwork, now came together again to support Ashley. He smiled, grateful to his friends.

“Thanks.”

“What for? It’s nothing.”

One of them rubbed his nose, a little proud, then suddenly grimaced.

“But why did Koi do that?”

Another guy chimed in.

“Yeah, why’d he turn you down? I mean, Beta guys dating isn’t super common, but it’s not unheard of either.”

“There must be a ton of people who’d say yes to you even if you ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) were a guy.”

“Right? It’s Ashley—we all would, wouldn’t we?”

As the others nodded and muttered agreement, Ashley gave a faint smile. He hated lying to even these friends of his, but it couldn’t be helped. It was for Koi’s sake.

He’d just invite them all to the wedding someday.

That was how he decided to apologize—in his own way—and he replied casually.

“Koi says he can’t understand how two guys could like each other.”

“Ugh.”

“No way, really?”

“Didn’t think Koi would be that closed-minded.”

Shouts and exclamations erupted from every direction. Ashley Miller, the idol of the ice hockey team, getting rejected twice in a row—this just didn’t happen. Ashley remained calm.

“Guess I didn’t try hard enough.”

The friends who’d been going on about Koi quieted down. Adjusting his bag strap, Ashley continued.

“I’ll just try harder. So it’s fine.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

His surprisingly calm reaction left them confused, unsure of what to say. They glanced at each other, unable to tell if he was being serious. Ashley spoke first.

“Anyway, I’m heading to class.”

“Ah, yeah, sure.”

“See you later.”

“Go ahead.”

They hurried to respond, watching Ashley walk away. Only after he disappeared from view did they finally let their shoulders relax and start speaking again.

“How did he end up like that...”

One guy sighed deeply, and the friend beside him asked,

“What do you mean, ‘like that’? You mean Koi’s ‘like that’? Or the fact that he’s into a guy?”

“Both, I guess.”

Another one joined in, and others quickly agreed.

“Honestly, Koi must’ve been pretty shocked too.”

“Yeah. He probably thought they were just friends, then suddenly hears that.”

“Still, I kinda got the feeling Ash liked Koi. He said he was cute before.”

“That was us saying it, wasn’t it? I don’t think Ash ever did.”

“He didn’t say it outright, but he really dragged out the word ‘cute.’”

Everyone nodded, and the same thought struck them all at once.

Wait... has he liked him since then?

A silence fell, and then someone muttered with a sigh.

“I still can’t believe it. Ashley’s into guys?”

Another one agreed.

“Breaking up with Elle must’ve hit him hard.”

“Should we try to get them back together?”

Someone asked anxiously, but another quickly cut in.

“Hey, Elle’s feelings matter more. And besides, we shouldn’t get involved in someone else’s relationship.”

Spoken like someone who grew up with a dad who’d do anything for his wife. Based on that life experience, at least, that much was clear. The unusually stern comment made the others all agree with a collective “Got it.”

“Still, we should stick by Ash.”

“Yeah. He’s our friend.”

“Then who’s on Koi’s side?”

The question made them pause again, until one of them offered a solution.

“Koi already made his feelings clear. So we just respect that. And we keep supporting Ash no matter what.”

“Yeah, as long as it’s not illegal or anything.”

“I mean, it’s not like he’s gonna kidnap and lock Koi up or something.”

That last line made everyone burst out laughing. Of all people, Ashley Miller was definitely not the type to do something like that.

*

“Mm...”

Koi couldn’t stop the moan from slipping out as he tightly shut his eyes. Ashley tilted his head and pressed his lips to the other side this time.

Another kiss. Koi couldn’t think straight.

Between classes, they just couldn’t hold back. They’d sneak off alone, kiss, touch each other. It was always short, like a moment passing by, but he couldn’t get enough. Today, when one of the teachers skipped class, Koi got a text from Ashley and slipped away behind a quiet building. Ashley had grabbed him the moment he arrived and drowned him in kisses.

“Haa...”

When their lips finally parted, Koi let out the breath he’d been holding and rested his head on Ashley’s chest. He couldn’t stand without leaning on him. Ashley’s hand was still groping his butt, but he was already used to that by now.

So kissing means touching the butt, huh.

That was about all he thought. Should I touch Ashley’s butt too...? The idea crossed his mind, but his body wouldn’t move.

He still needed a lot more courage to get there. So Koi just stayed quiet and let Ashley touch him wherever he wanted.

There was something more important anyway.

“Everyone’s been talking about you all day...”

Koi mumbled, still dazed, but Ashley didn’t seem to care. “Yeah?” he replied casually. What mattered to him right now was how much more he could touch Koi while he had him in his arms. He lowered his head to kiss him again, but Koi turned slightly and asked,

“Doesn’t it bother you? That they’re all just saying whatever they want.”

“Not really. I don’t care.”

Ashley’s eyes were fixed on Koi’s lips. Should I put my hand inside his jeans? They’re loose enough, it should work. Seeing that, Koi mumbled, embarrassed,

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“I mean, yeah, I’m the one who said we could... but still...”

He could tell Ashley was pretending it didn’t bother him, and that made it even worse. Maybe it really didn’t. Ashley probably didn’t care what other people said. But Koi wasn’t the same.

“You’re so cool and amazing, and they’re talking about you like that... it makes me mad.”

Ashley wanted to shout that it wasn’t true. How could someone be such an amazing boyfriend that he’d put up with awful rumors just for you? Watching Koi bite his lip in frustration, Ashley said,

“As long as you know I’m cool and amazing, that’s enough.”

Koi hesitated, then looked up at him carefully. Ashley, like he’d been waiting for it, stole a kiss and smiled.

“As long as I’m cool and amazing for you, I’m happy.”

Of course. To Koi, no one was cooler than Ashley. No one ever would be. His chest filled with emotion, and he finally opened his mouth. It still took a lot of courage to push the words from his throat to his tongue.

“I li... like you, Ash.”

The shy, stammered confession made Ashley smile, and then he slid his hand into Koi’s pants and grabbed his butt.