He chuckles, and the deep sound reverberates through me. I was honestly scared that admitting I'd miss him before he left would be a huge mistake. Instead, it's been a huge win. He said he'd miss me, too, and if my stupid brother hadn't rocked up five minutes early to pick him up, I think TD and I would have kissed. That's two for two on thealmost but didn't kisstally for anyone counting.
"Today was all last-minute prep and dealing with a few hiccups. I’m just itching to finally play for real. I don't know how we'll stack up yet, but ready or not, tomorrow we do the damn thing."
I mention I’ve been keeping an eye on the forecast for good fishing weather, and he says—unprompted—that we should go together again. He tells me about an interesting email he read today from a couple of local male cheerleaders, asking if the Grizzlies had any plans for a cheer squad and if they did, would men be allowed to participate.
And then, I do a total one-eighty, revisiting a topic we haven't broached since after it happened.
"Hey, do you remember when I, uh, walked in on you?"
He winces as if he'd rather forget, one eyebrow raised. "I try not to, but yes, I do."
"There's something I need to confess."
"Okay."
"I—I don't know why I'm saying this, really, but I feel it's dishonest to not say it, and I don't know why I didn't tell you sooner or why I've chosen this moment when you're away to?—"
"Tex?"
"Yeah?"
"Just say it already."
"Okay. Fine." I close my eyes, take a breath, and when I open them, I let the words fall out. "I've jerked off about you. Several times." Another breath. "Several many times."
"I…see." His raised eyebrow slowly makes its way back down, and an unfamiliar expression settles over his face.
Oh, shit.
Is he mad? Weirded out? Mentally writing out the TaskRabbit job for someone to collect his stuff from my place?
I can see his jaw pulsing, and if there was any way of rewinding the tape and going back thirty seconds and never saying what I said, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
"That's…hot."
"Is that a good thing?"
He smirks, licking his lower lip. "Of course it is. Since when is hot not hot?"
"It's just that I don't know Gen X slang very well," I say with a grin. "Wasn't it you guys who invented 'bad' as 'cool'?"
He rolls his eyes, chuckling deeply. "Think I'm going to have to teach you a lesson in manners when I get back."
"Don't make promises you can't keep."
"Oh, I intend on keeping it, alright."
Silence.
Eyes lock.
I gulp out another breath.
I hear what sounds like a rumble coming from TD. Or it could be engine noise from traffic outside his motel room.
"Actually, I don't think I can wait until I come back," he mutters with a focus in his eyes that makes my pulse jump. "Since you've seen me, I think it's only fair I get to see you."
See me what?I'm just about to ask what he means when—Ohhhhhh. I get it.
