Bryce
Yeah, I’ll be home tonight.
My stomach does the weird thing I haven’t felt since I first started dating Amber. It’s a short answer—still all too serious—but I’ll take what I can get. I’d better make these tacos worth it. Now I need to go shopping.
Chapter Five
Bryce
“Bryce,you have to make a decision.” Calisse has been saying the same thing for three days now. “Either you see where this goes with Bodie , or you tell him it’s not worth ruining your friendship. I’ll support whatever decision you make as long as you get the hell out of my house before I get home tonight, because I’m having company and they’re important to me.”
“And I’m not?” I snark back, knowing fully who she means.
“You are, but you can’t fulfill the needs she does. So, hit the road, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m going soon. I told him I’d be home to have tacos with him.”
“Then tacos for everyone tonight.”
“Oh geez. Goodbye, Cali.”
She’s a mess half the time, but I love her to death. I make sure her dog has some water and treats—because all pups get treats any time they want them—before leaving.
The entire ride home, I’m thinking about the last time I saw Bodie. He kissed my chest, practically sucked my nipple, and it felt good. When he fell back asleep, I snuck out of the bed with a chubby brewing and stood there watching him. I’ve never seen that side of him before. He’s a big guy, and damn do those days at the gym and on the ice do him well. His muscular arm and thick thigh wrapped around me had thoughts about him running through my head that would’ve ended our friendship a couple weeks ago. Now, I think Bodie wants to explore more, but I’m terrified. I’ve been scared to tell him so many things for years. If we’re a couple, I’llhaveto tell him. Will it change how he feels about me? I should hope not, but how can I be sure? If any of this breaks our friendship, then what?
I decide to stop by the store to get a six-pack for us. I debate if I even want beer or if I’m just stalling getting home to him.
The smell of peppers and onions cooking permeates the air in the apartment, and when I walk in the kitchen, it looks like a bomb has exploded in the form of food and frying pans. Bodie has half of the fridge and pantry ingredients on the counters and way too many pans on the stove for tacos.
“Hey!” Bodie is very animated—and in an apron? “You’re home just in time. It’s almost ready,” he says as he approaches, wrapping his arms around me for his twenty seconds. By thetime he lets go, I’ve made my decision. I can’t do this—not yet, at least.
“Smells great, Bode.”
“Thanks. Tastes good too.” He holds out a spoonful of steak with peppers and onions on it. With his pretty blues burning into me, I take it in my mouth, careful not to make eye contact. Only, the burst of flavor on my tongue provokes a moan and fucks it all up, and when we make eye contact, his endearing smile does things to me. I’ve always loved Bodie’s smile; it’s not like it’s changed, but the way he looks at me has my chest thumping harder.
“Umm—that’s delicious, but I, uh, thought you wanted tacos.” My words are barely audible as I wipe my mouth, and I suddenly realize I’m leaning against his shoulder.
“Fajitas are better.” He grins and turns back to the pan.
“Since when do you know how to cook?” Grabbing a beer to wash down the food, I think about all the times we’ve cooked together and how it’s never been this domestic before.
“Eh, I’ve been trying to teach myself here and there the past few months while you’ve been at work. Team dietician says we should all know how to cook basic meals so we don’t eat out. I found that I enjoy cooking.”
“I’ll gladly reap the benefits,” I tell him as I come up behind him and sneak another piece of steak from the pan with my fingers.
He glances sideways at me while his tongue swipes over those plump lips of his. It instantly sends me back to the night they were on my nipple. I swallow the steak and watch him track the movement of my throat with desire in his eyes. Then he mirrors me, and the sight of his pronounced Adam’s apple as it rises and falls in slow motion has my complete attention.
“You can have more if you want.”
My mouth says, “What?” but my brain—or maybe my dick—says yes, please.
He taps the pan with his tongs.
“Oh, no. I’m good. I’ll wait. I’m going to find something on TV.” I have to get out of this hot fucking kitchen.
I only get ten minutes to rein my emotions back in before Bodie shows up in the living room with our dinner plates. His gray sweatpants and loose tank top are not helping the situation at all. When he sits down, his abs are on full display through his sleeveless top, and my mouth begins to water. I down my first beer just to make it through this night.
“You didn’t have to put on hockey.”
