18
BRAD
Charlieand I duck out of the party early. I suspect Chuck will start kicking people out soon anyway, so they can enjoy their anniversary alone. Not that he told me that, since he’s not talking to me. Every time he needed to tell me something, which wasn’t often, he sent the message through Minni. Or Charlie. Because he’s still talking to Charlie.
I regret hurting my friend. But it’s the only thing I regret. Charlie loves me. It’s hard to believe I get to have this sweet, gorgeous man in my life.
And in my arms. We made it as far as my truck. For some reason, I can’t stop kissing him.
“Brad,” he whispers against my lips. “I need you. Naked. Now.”
“Do we really want to give the town a show?” I ask stupidly. But to be fair, my brain is struggling to work properly without oxygen.
Charlie laughs. “I don’t mean here.”
“Right.” And then my brain decides to engage. “Oh. Harper is staying with friends tonight so we can have make-up sex.”
Charlie groans. “Please tell me she didn’t use those words.”
“No. What she said was much worse.” I brush Charlie’s hair away from his face, and he puts his hand over mine.
“Let’s go to my place,” Charlie says, kissing my hand. “I have a surprise for you.”
We make it to Charlie’s place in record time. Once we’re inside, I stop and stare at his organized kitchen. Charlie giggles and pulls me through the small apartment. There’s not a box in sight.
“Wow, Charlie. You unpacked.”
“Figured I’d stay for a while.”
I pull him into my arms. “You’re competent. And smart. And beautiful. And I’m sorry I made you feel like you were anything less.” When he starts to speak, I cup his face. “I shouldn’t have gone along with their requests, or at the very least, I should have told you.”
“Thank you.” He rests his head against mine. “I might have overreacted.”
I don’t say anything to that as I tip his chin. “I love you, Charlie.”
He grins at me. “So you’ve said. How about backing those words up with action?”
“What did you have in mind?” I trace the scar above his brow with my fingers and then my lips.
“More of that,” he says, slipping a hand between us. “And much, much more of this.” He squeezes me through my pants, and I groan. My cock has been half-hard since we left the party, and now it’s fully on board. I kiss him hungrily, but then cut it short. “Lead the way, boss.”
There are no boxes surrounding Charlie’s bed. It hits me then. Charlie unpacked before he knew if we’d work out.
He’s no longer running.
I want to tell him how proud I am of him. How much it means to me that he’s giving us a chance. But talking can wait.It’s been too long since I’ve had this man naked in my arms. My body against mine. My cock in his ass.
We strip each other, too needy to take it slow. And then Charlie shows me with his hand and his mouth how much he loves and cherishes me.
And I show him how much fun adulting can be.
Saturday, March 22nd
A little over a month later, Minni invites me to their house to watch college basketball. March Madness started last weekend with Selection Sunday, but it’s been difficult to follow along. Charlie isn’t a basketball fan, and he’s very good at distracting me.
Charlie was not invited for some reason. And I have a sneaking suspicion why. I’m proven correct when Minni answers the door wearing her coat. “Come in, Brad. Sorry. I’ve got to run. A meeting just popped up.”
I hover near the door after she leaves. Did Charlie and Minni set this up? Doesn’t matter. If Chuck doesn’t want me here?—
