“I don’t think it will do that much damage,” I say before taking abite.
“Really? Because I was hoping tonight would be all about damage,” he says before backing his ass up against mycrotch.
I set my free hand on his hip, pulling back. I’m so hungry for it. And I’m pleased that tonight I’m the one who’s going to betopping.
37
Jesse
On Friday,Ty and I meet after work with some of the members of our flag football team to play a quick game of basketball before I take Ty to the airport. When we finish, I give him a hard time about missing a fewpasses.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Ty says as he pulls his shirt off and wipes it across his brow as we approach the water fountain alongside the gym wall. “You were a fucking machine outthere.”
I lean down, press my finger against the button on the fountain, and get a drink of water. After I’ve quenched my thirst, I lean back and Ty ducks down, getting some water for himself before taking a deep breath and saying, “We should go out for drinks soon. I feel like I haven’t seen you inforever.”
I start through the court toward the showers. “I’ve been texting you the past few weeks to see if you want to doshit.”
Although, admittedly, his being busy with work has only given me more opportunities to spend time withEric.
“I know. It’s my fault,” Ty says. “Work is hectic right now. I’ll feel better once I get back from Chicago. Then we’re going to have a night out…just us, like the good olddays.”
I grin as I think about how much I want to spend some more time with him. “I’d likethat.”
I catch his expression. I can tell he would like that too, and his sincerity and the seeming obliviousness to what I’m doing with Eric forces guilt to rise up withinme.
Ty adds, “I wish we had some time to hang before I leave, but we’ll have time once I get back. I just feel like it’s been forever, youknow?”
“I really do,” I say, pleased that he cares enough to even say that, but also feeling like an ass for already having plans with my parents…not to mention the other reasons I have to feelguilty.
“Speaking of leaving, thank you for giving me a ride to the airport,” hesays.
“I’ve changed my mind. Catch a bus,scrub.”
He laughs before shoving me playfully with hisshoulder.
“Thanks, asshole,” he says, still chuckling a little from myjoke.
We hit the showers, and I change into a fresh pair of clothes before driving Ty to the airport and then heading to my parents’place.
* * *
“I’m home,”I announce as I enter thekitchen.
Stan stands at the stove. He turns to me, a bright smile spreading across his face. “Hey, Jesse.” He approaches me and offers a warmhug.
“Took you long enough to come and see us.” Charlotte steps through the dining room entryway. She hurries to join in on ourhug.
“That’s right, it’s definitely about time,” Stan adds. “I know you have a new job and all, but you have to make time forfamily.”
“It’s been maybe a week,” Isay.
“Longer than it used to be,” Charlottenotes.
Truthfully, I haven’t been around as frequently as I usually am, and a lot of that has to do with spending time withEric.
As they pull away, Stan gets back to makingdinner.
We catch up, me telling them a little more about my new job, my coworkers, and my supervisors. I notice how I have to keep off what’s really become the most important subject for me—Eric.
