SubMarine: I second. A sharp suit is unrivaled.
SubZero: I can go for a suit. And a belt with a nice heavy buckle that could double as a restraint.
SubLily: A sexy pantsuit is the hottest. Exhibit one: sexy teacher fantasies.
SubAir: We have a consensus. Suit is clearly the only correct answer.
Chapter 14
AARON
Jay’s directions brought Aaron to a lovely park he hadn’t visited yet. Meandering along the paved path, he glimpsed baseball fields and picnic areas through the trees, all of them teeming with activity on the pleasantly warm afternoon. Aaron loved roaming around parks in his free time—people-watching, going off the paved trails to brave the wilderness, or bringing a book and reading it from the comfort of a blanket thrown across plush grass.
He was in a good mood today. Heading back to work instead of staying with Jay the previous day had been frustrating, but he was proud of the last-minute presentation he’d put together. The board had requested a six-month plan from all department heads, so at least he hadn’t been at the office alone. He’d shared his Thai food with Zoe, who was agonizing over her own slides, and they ended up helping each other out. As much as slightly tweaking colors in bar charts counted as helping.
The soccer field came into view, and Aaron picked up his pace, his messenger bag swinging on his shoulder. He was nervous.
He’d jumped at Jay’s invitation, curious to see this side of his new friend—and maybe a little thrilled at the excuse to spend more time with him. But beneath the excitement was something else. A restless, jittery sensation that squeezed his chest and grew with every step.
Jay made the afternoon sound casual, but Jay also had this strange effect on Aaron where his usual confidence was knocked completely off-kilter, making him question things he normally wouldn’t. Like, what if Jay’s sister hated him? What if he said something stupid to Jay’s nephews because he wasn’t used to children? What if Jay’s teammates had a problem with his eyeliner?
He slowed down, wondering if he should find a restroom and wash his face, when a familiar voice called out his name. It took him a moment to recognize Jay jogging toward him. His green jersey was a burst of color, so different from the familiar black, but it was the shorts that made Aaron stop in his tracks.
It wasn’t that he’d expected Jay to wear jeans to the game. He just never considered what the alternative might be.
“You made it!” Jay radiated happiness as he skidded to a stop a few feet away. Aaron couldn’t help but grin in return, noticing a sparkle in Jay’s eyes. As a rule, Jay seemed to effortlessly belong everywhere he went—from the dangerous darkness of the club to the bright lights of the coffee shop. But it was here—on this sun-soaked stretch of grass, with his ruffled hair and scuffed-up sneakers—that Jay looked truly in his own element.
Also, his muscular thighs were a revelation, and it was physically painful for Aaron to keep his eyes from dipping down.
He cleared his throat. “Wouldn’t miss it! It’s my first time at one of these.” He gestured to the simple metal bleachers. “Is there a specific place I should sit? Like home team and away team areas?”
Jay barked out a laugh and clapped Aaron on the shoulder. “I told you to lower your expectations, but maybe I should have suggested you get rid of them altogether. We’re playing another casual team from a different gym, so this is neutral territory. And the only reason we even have matching uniforms is because Tim,” he turned around and pointed at a man stretching hishamstrings, “thought it’d be funny for his landscaping business to sponsor the team.”
“Got it. Is cheering allowed, or is that not casual enough? I can snap my fingers instead.”
“Cheering is about the only thing for you to do.”
“Shucks.” Aaron flashed a teasing smile. “Should have brought my pom-poms.”
Jay’s mouth twitched, and he took a step closer, his voice low and husky. “You’re distracting enough without the pom-poms, Aaron.” His name on Jay’s lips sent a shiver through him, but Jay was already stepping back, the moment gone. Aaron might have accused himself of imagining the whole thing if not for Jay’s gaze lingering just a beat too long before his expression shifted.
“Come, I’ll introduce you to my sister.” Jay splayed his hand on Aaron’s lower back and nudged him in the right direction, leaving it there even when the destination was obvious and the steering no longer required. Aaron didn’t mind. He loved Jay’s heat burning through the thin fabric of his shirt, wanted it there permanently.
Jay’s sister looked a lot like Jay—the same warm complexion, the same dark eyes under long eyelashes. She did a double-take when she noticed them, a sly smile slowly spreading across her face.
“I’m Jasmine.” She thrust her hand out before they came to a stop. Aaron introduced himself, taken aback by her eagerness.
“I’ll take it from here, Jas. I’ll get someone to watch the boys, so you can take off and get ready for your date.” Jay’s touch never strayed from Aaron’s back, soothing his earlier anxieties.
“Oh, I think I’ll stay for a while.” Jasmine drew out the words, eyeing Aaron with curiosity.
Jay stared at her, unamused. “I recall you saying you’d rather read a phonebook than watch soccer.”
“Yes, but now I have some company,” she purred and threaded her arm around Aaron’s elbow, pulling him away from Jay. Impressed by how effortlessly she manipulated the situation, Aaron decided he liked her style.
“Jasmine,” Jay sighed. “Go home, take a bath, do your hair, whatever it is you do before you woo your husband. Leave Aaron alone.”
“Fine, I’ll only stay for a bit. Can’t I watch my brother enjoy his hobby?”
