Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 210

“Koi!”

As soon as Ariel saw Koi enter the house, she rushed to greet him.

“What happened? What did that bastard say?”

Koi gave a bitter smile to Ariel, who was cursing relentlessly, and first asked for understanding.

“Can I shower first and then talk?”

“Oh, yeah. Of course. Sorry, I was just curious.”

Koi smiled as if it was okay and left. Fortunately, Ariel hadn’t found a housemate yet, so Koi was able to find a place to stay.

However, that was only until the end of this month. Koi had contributed his money, but it was only enough for a month’s rent. If they couldn’t find a suitable person by the end of the month, neither Koi nor Ariel would be able to live there anymore.

It’ll be repaired by then.

After a quick shower, he went out, and Ariel was waiting. Sitting across from each other at the dining table, Koi briefly talked about what happened with Ashley. He didn’t tell her everything. Ariel would clearly get angry, and complaining to her wouldn’t change anything.

He briefly mentioned that Ashley was not well due to pheromones and that he had told him to return to the West, and he ended by saying he was determined to stay here by Ashley’s side. Ariel made a serious face and said, “I see.” Koi, sensing her searching for words, naturally changed the subject.

“Anyway, that’s me. How are you and Bill? You two met, right?”

“Oh? Yeah.”

Ariel nodded. Knowing it was her turn, she first let out a sigh.

“I was so surprised. It was unsettling enough that he suddenly appeared, but then he wants to start over? How long has it been since we broke up?”

Ariel, who had been pressing her temples as if she had a headache, suddenly glared at Koi. She changed her tone and asked Koi, who flinched.

“You’re the one who told him I was single, aren’t you?”

“Uh… yeah.”

There was no point in denying it. The source was too obvious. Koi, crestfallen, nodded slightly and apologized, “Sorry.” Ariel frowned at him, looking displeased, but soon relaxed her expression.

“Since it’s already said, there’s nothing I can do. What else did you talk about?”

“That’s all.”

Koi quickly replied.

“I didn’t say anything else, and I thought I should tell you first and apologize, but Bill said he likes you. You and Bill are both my precious friends, so I can’t take sides. Instead, Bill asked me to apologize after he met you, so I just did that.”

He apologized seriously again, “I’m sorry,” and Ariel coolly said, “It’s fine now.” Soon, she rested her arms on the table, leaned forward, and asked with a frown.

“To want to start over now, what is that guy thinking?”

“What other reason could there be if he likes you?”

Koi quickly said what he was thinking.

“Honestly, I hope you two work out.”

“Because we’re both your friends?”

When Ariel asked mockingly, Koi shook his head and replied.

“I thought you two suited each other.”

He added with a serious expression.

“You didn’t break up because you disliked each other, did you?”

“That’s true, but…”

Ariel said with a sigh.

“Bill’s team is in the West, Koi. It takes over 6 hours by plane to visit, and there’s a time difference too.”

Koi had no answer to the practical problems. This was why they broke up in the first place. When Ariel came to the East for work, they broke up by mutual agreement. Since then, they had only occasionally exchanged calls, so Ariel’s awkwardness at Bill’s sudden visit was understandable.

“Is it really impossible to start over with Bill?”

To Koi, who was still clinging to hope, Ariel looked serious.

“Everything I have is in the East, Koi.”

She continued firmly.

“Do you know what happens when a couple’s relationship deepens and one sacrifices their career for the other? Most of the time, the woman gives up everything.”

Koi was startled by the unexpected point, saying, “Oh,” and she added in a resolute tone.

“I like Bill, but I have no intention of giving up myself. I lead my life, and all decisions revolve around me. I will not let anyone take control of my life.”

Koi’s eyes widened. It felt like a halo was shining behind Ariel, and he involuntarily exclaimed, “Wow!”

“You’re so cool, Ariel.”

“Thanks.”

When he genuinely admired her, Ariel smiled. As if she was used to such reactions.

Of course, Ariel has been everyone’s idol since high school.

Koi nodded in understanding, and something suddenly clicked in his mind. He blinked and asked again.

“Did you break up with Garrett for that reason too?”

Ariel hesitated but then confessed honestly.

“He told me he was moving to another state for work and asked me to go with him. I thought, ‘Why? Why should I sacrifice everything for Garrett? Garrett is going there to get a better position and move up, so why should I give up my current position and start all over again?'”

“That’s true.”

Koi nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Ariel’s complaint about the unfairness.

“It’s too much for only you to give up. Garrett is selfish.”

“Exactly. I can’t be with someone like that.”

Ariel and Koi raised a hand and lightly high-fived across the table. They smiled at each other, but then Ariel’s expression became troubled.

“But if he comes all this way and acts like this, it’s really awkward for me. What should I do? And he’s staying here for three months.”

“Three months? Not two weeks?”

To Koi’s surprise, Ariel clarified precisely.

“He said three months. Two weeks is the period the doctor told him to rest from training.”

“Ah…”

Only then did Koi understand, making a blank sound. Even two weeks would be a burden, but staying for three months? Not wanting to upset Ariel, Koi carefully asked.

“You don’t dislike Bill, do you?”

Ariel didn’t answer. But that was as good as an answer. Koi thought for a moment, then subtly offered an idea.

“Uh, I have an idea. Can I say it?”

“Go ahead.”

With Ariel’s permission, Koi took a deep breath and spoke.

“Since Bill is staying here for three months, it’s not good for him to keep staying in a hotel. And you need a housemate anyway. Wouldn’t it be a way to think things over while living together during Bill’s stay? It would also solve the rent problem.”

Ariel’s eyes widened. Koi, emboldened, quickly continued.

“You didn’t break up because you disliked each other, but it’s been years already. How about trying it out by living together this time? If you see things that don’t match, you can end it completely this time, and if not, you can reconsider then. Anyway, wouldn’t it be good for you to be able to stay in this house for three more months? Bill can surely afford the rent here.”

“That guy could probably buy this place, or a few of them.”

Bill currently boasted the highest salary among ice hockey players. Ariel seemed to think for a moment, then finally nodded.

“Okay, I’ll do that.”

“Good thinking, Ariel!”

Ariel, who had smiled brightly at Koi, who was delighted as if it were his own affair, quickly narrowed her eyes and said.

“To think I’m getting dating advice from you.”

With an expression of pride, as if looking at a grown child, Koi puffed out his chest and declared confidently.

“People grow, Ariel.”

Ariel laughed, and they high-fived across the table again.

That’s right, so Ash, we’ll be different from before too.

Talking with Ariel, Koi thought. Everyone was moving forward. Except for Ashley. Koi had to somehow make his time, which had completely stopped since then, flow again. Whether it succeeded or failed, it had to move in some direction. Stagnation was the worst state.

What are you doing now, Ash?

Reading the messages they had exchanged before he fell asleep, Koi barely managed to soothe his longing.

& & &

“Koi, you clever boy!”

As soon as he met Koi, Bill wrapped an arm around his neck and vigorously ruffled his hair with the other hand. Koi shrieked and flailed, barely managing to escape him, when Bill immediately grabbed his face and showered him with kisses.

“Phew!”

Leaving Koi swaying and leaning against the wall, gasping for breath, Bill began to spin around the spacious living room of the suite. Watching him dance with excitement, cheering with his arms raised and hips swaying, made him laugh.

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course! I never imagined living with Ariel. It’s more fortunate than winning the Powerball!”

Bill clenched both fists, brought them down forcefully, and shouted, “Yeah!” then started dancing again. Koi smiled contentedly, watching his friend. Bill danced to the end of the living room, turned, and stopped in front of Koi.

“At times like this, we should drink champagne. You’ll drink with me, right?”

He asked, holding a tablet and searching for the room service menu, but Koi waved his hand, saying, “No.”

“I’ll have herbal tea. With ice.”

“Why are you so boring?”

Bill said with a disappointed face but readily accepted Koi’s order. After entering all the menu items, he tossed the tablet carelessly onto the sofa, and Koi said.

“Now, sit down. Tell me in detail. What did Ariel say?”

To Koi, whose eyes were shining, Bill explained the situation with a confident expression. Ariel had contacted him first, suggesting they be housemates and live together for three months as a trial. That was all there was to it, but he talked about it for over 30 minutes. His excitement subsided somewhat after the champagne arrived via room service.

“I hope it goes well.”

Koi, who had filled his glass even though he couldn’t drink, wished him luck, and this time Bill raised his glass and said.

“You and Ash too.”

They both smiled and lightly clinked their lips together. Koi watched Bill gulping down champagne with a contented expression.

The photo of them drinking champagne in the hotel room was released that evening. Along with a picture of Bill kissing Koi.

Ashley Miller came across the article late in the afternoon. After finishing his morning meeting and a scheduled lunch, he returned to his office, sank deep into his chair, and let out a sigh he had been holding in.

Life continued as usual. No one noticed his abnormality, and although he occasionally forgot things, his secretary meticulously filled in the gaps. Neither she nor anyone else questioned it. It was just a minor mistake that anyone could make.

Ashley, who had checked the short summary articles on economy and society that his secretary had uploaded that morning, tried to search for the articles along with his secretary’s report to examine the details. It was then that he opened the internet, and the screen was already filled with the sports star scandal that had swept the nation.

“Mr. Miller?”

His secretary, who had been waiting for instructions, called him, puzzled. But Ashley’s gaze was fixed on the monitor, not moving at all.

“You can go.”

At his mumbled words, without even looking up, the secretary quickly replied, “Yes,” and left the office. The secretary, curious about why her boss had reacted that way, immediately scanned the article but, standing behind the monitor, she couldn’t even guess.

About 30 minutes later, Ashley, who had been staring at the monitor alone for a while, picked up his cell phone. The article that had broken that morning was already pouring out in second and third reports. He quickly skimmed the content, roughly organized the information in his head, and then dialed a number. The other party answered after only two rings.

• Ash?

The moment he heard Koi’s voice, Ashley briefly held his breath, then slowly exhaled.

“Yes, it’s me.”

Even as he spoke in his usual businesslike tone, his gaze remained fixed on the monitor. Specifically, in the photo of Bill and Koi smiling at each other, affectionately clinking champagne glasses.

The pounding of his heart painfully thumped in his ears. Koi took a deep breath and paid close attention to his cell phone.

He had woken up about two hours ago. Waking up later than usual, he dragged his tired body to shower and made himself breakfast and lunch. Ariel had already left for work, and he was alone in the house.

The long-awaited leisurely morning didn’t last long. He was getting up to have another cup of warm herbal tea when the doorbell suddenly rang. The moment he checked the caller ID, his face instantly brightened.

“Ash?”

When he greeted him happily by his name, the other side soon replied.

• Yes, it’s me.

Ashley’s voice was as emotionless and businesslike as usual, but Koi didn’t notice anything unusual. The fact that he had called was what mattered most.

“Hi, how have you been? It’s already lunchtime, are you on a break?”

• …Yes.

This time, the answer came after a short silence, but again, Koi didn’t notice and chattered excitedly.

“Oh, I see. I just woke up and was about to have some tea. Don’t worry, it’s herbal tea.”

He still couldn’t believe he was pregnant. He still couldn’t believe he had become an Omega, let alone pregnant. Unconsciously stroking his belly, Koi forced himself to calm his trembling heart and carefully spoke.

“Um, did you think about it before calling? Our conversation.”

• …What?

Koi was immediately disappointed by the response, but instead of letting his shoulders slump, he continued casually.

“Well, it’s still too early, isn’t it? It’s okay, take more time. But I hope you don’t drag it out. I don’t mean to pressure you, but…”

He trailed off, feeling like he was pressuring Ashley, but the other party didn’t react. When Koi called his name again, puzzled, Ashley finally spoke.

• I have something to ask.

“Yes, tell me anything. I’ll tell you everything.”

When he quickly replied, Ashley asked after a pause.

• Do you know that Bill is here?

Koi was puzzled by the cautious tone but nodded obediently.

“Yeah. It’s been a few days, hasn’t it? Oh, did I not tell you…?”

• No, you didn’t.

“Oh, I see,” Koi mumbled casually. Well, we were busy with our own stuff anyway. He nodded to himself and continued nonchalantly.

“He seems to have come here for some business. He contacted me, so I went and talked to him for a bit. He apparently got injured during practice and the doctor told him to rest for about two weeks.”

This much should be okay, right? It’s already in the news anyway.

After conveying only the publicly known facts, excluding anything related to himself, Ashley was silent for a moment. “Really?” Ashley said briefly, then asked in a still quiet voice.

• Is that all?

“Yeah. Really. We just talked.”

Koi then added with a smile.

“Bill wanted to drink champagne, but I refused because it’s alcohol, so we just toasted. Bill grumbled, but what can you do?”

Having said that, Koi took the opportunity to ask.

“Um, when are we going to meet? Should I wait longer?”

He hadn’t thought of anything yet either, but he just wanted to meet him. He asked, wanting to see Ashley, but the other side’s reaction was lukewarm.

• Later.

Ashley answered in a businesslike tone. Feeling like he was talking to a lawyer who wanted to quickly hang up on a client, Koi’s shoulders slumped. As if sensing the atmosphere, Ashley added.

• I’m a bit busy now, so it’s difficult, but I’ll come to see you soon. You said you’re at Ariel’s house, right?

“Yeah, someone kicked my house door down and broke it. Can I sue for damages, lawyer?”

When he deliberately imitated a client and asked, Ashley let out a short laugh. Koi immediately felt relieved and laughed back.

“I love you, Ash. You’re the only one for me.”

Koi couldn’t hold back his overflowing emotions and confessed. Ashley said nothing. Even his laughter had disappeared, so Koi couldn’t tell what his reaction was at all. I should have talked to him in person, Koi regretted immediately, and then Ashley spoke.

• …I know.

The call soon ended. Ashley didn’t doubt Koi’s feelings at all. Not before, not now, and not in the future.

However, whether he trusted Koi himself was a separate matter. Koi looked down at his cell phone, lost in thought with a serious expression. How can I make Ash trust me?