Charles waited until Otis left the locker room before taking his shower. He wasn't sure if he could control his temper, which was white hot. Obnoxious? He was just trying to be friendly! He knew Venti and him ended on a really bad note, but he didn't mean to make things worse.

But he did, and he felt like three kinds of crap about it.

Would an apology mean anything to Venti? Would the jackal even believe him if he tried to be sincere, or had the bear screwed up all his chances? As he lathered the shampoo into his fur he was dimly aware of folks watching him. Oh sure, there were always those who loved the big daddy bears, but right now his thoughts were on two pups he used to socialize with. A jackal with the craziest coloration on his tongue and nipples (not to mention down between his legs!) and a big otter. They were his friends--Venti used to be much more than a friend--but after him and Venti called it quits, the otter naturally followed the jackal.

And after all he did for those two, that was how he got treated. It was so hard to put on a happy expression when he saw Venti at the clothing store, and did they really think he bought that reason for them leaving so quickly?

And yet the bear just had to make a crude comment, as if he needed to get back at Venti's little fib.

Why did he join this gym anyway? Did he honestly believe Venti would enjoy that? Or did he just want to try and patch things up? There was no way to patch things up, not after what happened.

He got in his truck, still fuming. Why should he even care what his ex thought about him? He didn't need the jackal, nor did he need his approval. Venti still acted like a pup, even at thirty-five.

And yet he was still so damned hot.

There it was, right there. As he pulled into the highway, he knew why he wanted to try.

He still loved Venti, even if Venti didn't love him.

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