Page 25 of Grumpy Bear

He stared at me, probably not because he was fascinated by the trivia. The scrutiny basically forced me to babble more. “I don’t drink much either. I mean, I don’t not drink. Like, I’m not an alcoholic. I’m just saying I can drink or not drink. I mostly”—my voice died—“don’t.”

I really wished I had a bourbon.

He blinked, no doubt stunned it took me that many words to say basically nothing. He handed me a bottled water and dropped into the armchair. He crossed an ankle over one knee, hiding his crotch, and watched me.

I felt like he was waiting for me to say something more. Something relevant. “The whole thing just came down on me out of nowhere.”

Coleman pulled a face. “There’re only two poles holding it up, so if you lose one…”

“Well, it wasn’t really even the rain. Your tarp worked great. That didn’t collapse at all. It was like the pole snapping just happened to be perfectly timed with the sky opening up.”

“It was probably old and dried out. Already cracked or on its way. Where’d you get it?”

“Um…” Stole it from my ex. “A friend’s garage.”

Coleman shook his head, frustrated. “I should’ve checked it myself.”

“No way you could’ve known.” Although it made me feel equal parts uncomfortable and giddy, I wasn’t deserving of his regret. I didn’t want him to feel responsible. “I’d already put it together.”

Coleman sighed. “Well, you’ll stay here tonight. We can figure out”—he waved vaguely in the direction of my stuff—“everything else tomorrow.”

The sofa was more like a small love seat. I mean, I guess if I could hold a fetal position, maybe… “I could go sleep on a couch in the lodge.”

He shook his head. “Nah. That’s, uh… against the rules.”

“So, you want me to…” Was he expecting me to crawl into his bed with him?

He gave an exaggerated nod and held his hands up in an oath. “Nothing’s going to happen.” He didn’t meet my eyes. His voice was solemn. “I can definitely promise you that.”

Gee. Either this man had taken some kind of vow; he was in a relationship; or Austin was dead wrong, and bears were definitely not into the likes of me. To be fair, Coleman might still be mourning the loss of his partner.

Not that I was going to hook up with him, but did he have to say it like that?

Nothing’s going to happen. I can definitely promise you that.

He got up suddenly and strode to the bed. “It’s two in the morning. We should try to get some sleep. It’s going to be a long hard day tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Of course.”

He straightened the sheets, giving me an eyeful of his amazing body. He was a big guy on every level. His presence filled the room. I couldn’t imagine how I was going to lie next to him all night, trying not to touch him. Thinking about it, my dick started to swell. Basketball shorts are notorious for exacerbating that situation and showcasing it. If I had thought he was remotely interested in me, I’d think he gave them to me on purpose. I held my towel in front of me, just in case.

He moved one of the pillows to the left side of the bed and gave it a pat.

I groaned. “Aww, man. I can’t take your pillows.”

He smirked. “You’re only getting one.” He pulled on a pair of boxer shorts before lying along his side of the bed, ankles crossed, hands together on his stomach, so close to the edge he was about to fall off.

“Are you sure you’re going to be comfortable?” I was secretly memorizing every detail of him laid out like that. “I really don’t mind sleeping on the floor.” That was a lie. For so many reasons.

He looked annoyed. “No way. I need you in good shape tomorrow. Besides, the only extra bedding I have handy is at the bottom of the lake inside your tent.”

“Sorry.”

He shrugged. “It’s not your fault.”

I stood there looking down at him. He was serious Instagram armpit stalker material. I wanted to bury my face in them.

Coleman made an exasperated noise. “Will you fucking lie down already?”