They were both panting as Taylor climbed back up the bed and laid his head on the pillow next to Fletcher, letting out a deep breath. Fletcher leaned over and cupped his jaw as he kissed him in a deep, sensual kiss. Taylor wrapped an arm around him and cradled the back of his head. Fletcher kissed his way down to the base of Taylor’s throat and softly sucked the delicate skin right above his collarbone.
Taylor brushed Fletcher’s hair back before leaning his head back to give Fletcher better access. “Suck harder,” he softly begged. “I want to see it in the morning,” Taylor breathed, sounding desperate and completely unlike himself. Fletcher obeyed and he began to nip at the sensitive skin. He pulled away to admire the mark he’d left on Taylor.
Fletcher looked up at Taylor and kissed him again. Taylor wrapped his arm around Fletcher and brought him close to his chest.
Taylor wasn’t sure at what point they fell asleep, but they held each other as they did.
16
The Morning After
Taylor awoke to the sound of his alarm the next morning. Seven-thirty. Breakfast with the team was at eight so they could go over video from the game before morning practice.
He turned to get out of his bed only to find Fletcher’s bed still made. Meaning he hadn’t gotten up in the middle of the night to sleep in it. Meaning they held each other and slept in the same bed all night. But Fletcher was nowhere to be seen. He must’ve woken up early to avoid him, Taylor thought.
Whatever, Taylor thought to himself. He wasn’t entirely ready to face Fletcher either after what they did last night.
He quickly brushed his teeth and put some deodorant on before trying to quickly shave his face. He wasn’t entirely opposed to having facial hair, but he hated the way stubble felt on his face, and he was too impatient to let it grow out. He quickly tied his hair back before he was out the door with his gear bag slung over his shoulder.
* **
Most of the team was already sitting down and eating in the hotel’s conference room. Coach always had breakfast catered for them so they wouldn’t be subjected to the powdered eggs and cheap muffins the hotel’s continental breakfast provided.
The tables were set up in long rows with the chairs all facing the front of the room where the projector was projecting the game tape. After scooping an entire plate full of eggs, potatoes, and fruit salad, Taylor spotted Fletcher near the back chatting with Douglas and Sánchez. Taylor reluctantly took the seat next to them that was left empty, suddenly wishing he had been smart enough to get to breakfast before Fletcher did.
“Morning,compa.” Sánchez chirped. He slid a cup of coffee towards Taylor, who gladly accepted it. Sánchez was quite the coffee snob. He brought his French Press and his espresso machine everywhere he went because he only liked “the real shit.” For Christmas he gave Sánchez a bag of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans, which according to Sánchez was the Mercedes of coffee beans.
Taylor took a gulp of his coffee and gave Sánchez a nod of approval. “New roast?” he asked.
Sánchez shook his head. “Just Café Bustelo. I didn’t have time to order a new one to try.”
“Mhm. My favorite.”
“You say that about every cup I make you, idiot.”
Coach announced that they would start going over the game tape in five more minutes. A few of the guys quickly stood up to get seconds.
“So,” Douglas spoke. “You spent the night with Briar?”he asked, suggestively. Taylor’s eyes met Fletcher’s, who quickly looked down and shoveled a spoonful of sausage gravy into his mouth.
Taylor looked back to Douglas. “Uhh, nah,” he answered. He rubbed the corner of his eye as he let out a yawn. “She smelled too much like my grandfather.” Taylor scrunched his nose thinking about the smell of cigarettes. “I can’t stand chicks who smoke.”
Douglas nodded, agreeing. “Thank God Corinna doesn’t smoke anymore. I told her I wouldn’t kiss her if she tasted like cigarettes, so she quit.”
Sánchez’s eyes narrowed as he scoffed. “You were literally smoking last night, you asshole. That’s my baby cousin you’re talking about, by the way…”
Douglas just shrugged. “She doesn’t mind when I do it.” Sánchez glared at him.
“She probably still smokes when we’re on the road, dipshit.” Taylor laughed. “I’d bet money on it.”
Taylor watched through the corner of his eye as Sánchez patted Fletcher on his back. “I hope Piers didn’t end up walking in on you,” he smirked. Taylor nearly choked on his coffee.
Fletcher must’ve remembered the lie he told Sánchez last night to mess with Taylor. He rubbed his eye. “She ended up bailing on me. I had to go to sleep with fucking blue balls,” he lied.
“Well, I hope Piers didn’t keep you up too late. You look so tired this morning, hermano.”
Fletcher shook his head as he ran a hand through his hair. “His snoring is getting worse,” he lied. “Might have to trade roommates with someone,” he joked plainly.
“Well good luck finding anyone else who can tolerate yourannoying clean freak rules. I can’t believe you let him boss you around, Piers,” Douglas joked as he looked over to Taylor.
