“In a sec,” I say, and I run my hands down his sides.
Jackson rolls his eyes, but he leans in and kisses me quickly anyway, like he can’t resist. We straighten ourselves, fixing the collars on each other's shirts, pretending we weren’t just devouring each other in a hallway like teenagers.
Jackson’s fingers weave between mine, and we walk back together, hand in hand.
In the booth, Kai takes one look at Jackson’s mouth and makes a sound of absolute delight.
“Oh my God,” Kai says, loudly. “LOOK AT HIS FACE.”
Jackson groans and drops into the seat, hiding behind his hands.
Gael laughs and Brooks looks offended he missed it.
Kai points at me. “Have you no shame, sir?”
“None whatsoever.” I sip my drink calmly.
Kai leans in, voice lowering just enough to be heard over the bass. “You good, Jack?”
“I’d be better if you’d stop being such an ass… but it seems like it’s just who you are, so…”
Kai’s gaze flicks to me, sharp and protective even in the middle of a club. “You watching his numbers?”
“Like you even have to ask.”
Kai relaxes a fraction, then lifts his glass. “To the win," he says.
“To health.” Gael lifts his.
Brooks lifts his. “To making out in public places and not getting arrested.”
Jackson flips him off. “Shut up.”
I lift my glass last, eyes on Jackson.
“To us,” I say quietly.
His smile softens. “To us,” he echoes.
FOURTEEN
ANDRES
I don’t do subtle. At least not with something as important as this. Subtle is for bunt signs and stealing bases and the lies people tell themselves when they’re afraid of wanting something too much. Jackson has spent his whole life learning how to make his needs small. How to swallow the alarm, the hunger, the love, and the fear because someone taught him it was safer to be quiet.
I’m doing this at our favorite place because he deserves a love that doesn’t whisper his name. I plan on shouting it for everyone to hear.
Forever.
Santa Cruz smellslike salt and eucalyptus and sun-warmed sand. It’s late afternoon when we get there, the light already turning honey-gold, the kind of light that makes everything look softer than it is. The ocean is loud, steady, and endless. Waves rolling in like a heartbeat.
Jackson stands at the edge of the sand, hands in the pockets of his hoodie, hair already getting tugged by the wind. He looks relaxed, like this place calms him without him even realizing.
I watch him for a second too long and he catches me.
“You’re staring,” he singsongs, eyes narrowing.
“I’m appreciating the view,” I smirk.
