“So, does this mean I have a boyfriend now?” Zach asked.
Cael huffed a laugh, but the joyous grin that slowly split his face told Zach everything he needed to know and warmed his heart. “I’ve never had a boyfriend before.”
“What a coincidence? Neither have I.”
Zach laughed and leaned in to kiss him. Cael’s lips connected with his, and Zach swore to fucking God, it was like some sort of magic. Cael cupped his hand around Zach’s neck, laughing and smiling against his lips. Just knowing how happy Cael was right now sent a warmth cascading through him, and Zach made a silent promise to himself to always ensure, from now on, Cael knew how much Zach truly loved and needed him.
Chapter 12
Boyfriend.
Zach was his boyfriend.
Cael couldn’t contain the smile bursting from his lips as Zach kissed him. The reality of this moment overwhelmed him.
Minutes ago, Cael had feared the worst. He’d imagined coming back downstairs and Zach telling him he regretted their intimate moment in the kitchen and that it couldn’t happen again. He’d imagined Zach looking at him and asking if they could just stay friends because being with a man instead of a woman didn’t feel right. He’d made himself sick in mere seconds worrying over all those things while he’d cleaned up and changed, so he’d made the decision to talk it out right away. As nervous as he’d been, Cael had needed to know where they stood before he invested too much hope in what had already taken place between them.
Thank God he had. By Zach’s response, he’d been worried too. Zach had thought Cael could never give him what Zach had always wanted while Cael had thought Zach could never be for him what Cael had always wanted. They’d both made assumptions and they had both been scared to know the truth because they’d each been so afraid of losing each other.
Amazing what a little conversation could do for a relationship. Cael would tell Zach everything from now on if it meant Zach would be wrapped in his arms every night, or he in Zach’s.
Zach sat back a little, pulling his lips from Cael’s and grinning as he rubbed the skin around his mouth.
“What?” Cael smirked, still unable to repress his own stupid smile.
“Nothing. Just not used to getting my face chafed from kissing, but it feels good. I like it.”
The glow of happiness never left Zach’s face, leaving Cael in awe once again. Zach took Cael’s face between his hands and pulled him in for another kiss.
“I fucking like it a lot,” Zach mumbled against Cael’s lips.
They took turns playing Pitfall, something they’d done a million times over, only this time, they sat a little closer than usual. Cael kissed Zach between turns, and Zach smiled brightly when he did, reciprocating the same happiness Cael felt. By the time dinner arrived, things felt sort of normal between them again, even if they couldn’t seem to keep their hands and lips off each other.
Zach switched off the game and looked for something to watch on TV while Cael grabbed a couple paper plates, napkins, and two more beers. Zach settled for a Walking Dead rerun and flipped open the pizza box just as Cael sat back down beside him.
Cael sank his teeth into his second slice of melty cheese, juicy sweet pineapple, and barbeque chicken when Zach’s phone chirped. Without setting his piece down, Zach spun the phone on the table and swiped across the screen with a grease-free finger, then chuckled as he shook his head.
“Who is it?” Cael asked as Zach typed back.
“Chloe.”
“What does she want?”
Zach looked over his shoulder at Cael. “She says Taylor’s fine and wants to know if I’m staying here tonight or not.” Zach tore off another quick bite of Hawaiian barbecue pizza.
“What’d you tell her?”
Zach picked up his beer and washed down his last bite of pizza, then gave Cael a wry grin. “That I’d see her tomorrow morning.”
Cael’s phone buzzed, vibrating on the coffee table. He grinned as the screen lit up with a text from Chloe.
“Give you one guess who that is.” Cael laughed as he read her message.
“What’d she say?”
“Is he drunk or did you finally kiss him?”
“Fuck, she knew, didn’t she?”
