Page 64 of Strong Side

He rights himself before I have a chance to respond quietly, so I don’t say anything. Instead, I grab his face and crush our lips together. We kiss for longer than socially acceptable, but I know Clay’s getting some kind of kick out of putting on a show. We’re letting everyone know that he is mine and I am his.

I pull away breathless, then turn to the now blushing reporter and say the same words that are now forever marked on Clay’s skin, “Oamor não tem lei.”

Of course, the pictures of us kissing after winning the semi-finals have been plastered onto every social media site you can think of. People have shocked me, though; most have been nothing but supportive of us dating, not that I’m one to give much of a fuck either way.

Coach, of course, had no clue, but he didn’t seem all that shocked either. He congratulated us in one breath and in the next went right back into going over the game.

The championship is tomorrow, and we just got back to my place. Clay’s making something for dinner real quick, and then I’m sure we’ll be cuddled up on the couch watching some rom-com in no time.

I’m sitting at my little kitchen table with my thumb hovering over the “post” button on the picture one of the reporters got of our kiss when I glance up at Clay. He’s already smiling at me softly, love and adorationcovering every feature of his face, yet he’s the one who asks, “What are you smiling at over there, Baby?”

“About to announce to the world that I’m gay for Clay and dating some hot as fuck guy I know,” I respond with a nonchalant shrug.

“Are you nervous about what people will say?” I watch as his smile falls ever so slightly, his brows pinched with concern.

“No,Garotão.Anyone who doesn’t support who I decide to love doesn’t need access to me or my life. And I’ll be happy to see them out. Matter of fact, I’ll open the door for them.”

I hit the post without another thought and put my phone on “Do Not Disturb.”

We eat the soup Clay whipped up from the limited ingredients I had in the fridge, and I can’t even lie, it’s good as fuck. I’ve been groaning and moaning in appreciation since the first bite.

Clay gets up to put our dishes in the sink, and my eyes immediately spot the tent he’s sporting in his pants, and I let out a whistle. “That things ready to go…”

“It’s from you moaning like a goddamn erotic audio creator over my food. Leave me and my erect penis alone.”

Right as those words leave his lips there’s a knock at the door before it’s being thrown wide open. I’m up andin front of Clay, ready to fight to protect him if need be. I immediately realize none of that is necessary, though.

“What the hell are you doing here, Lil? You couldn’t text before coming over here?” I’m still standing in front of Clay, now more worried about hiding his boner than protecting him. I’m not trying to give my little sister a free show.

“You didn’t answer, fuck face,” Lil snaps.

Shit, I forgot I put my phone on “Do Not Disturb.” I’m not used to family being close enough to just pop in. But that’s besides the point. “What if we were fucking on the table? I know he wants to see my dick”—I point at Clay, who’s now trying not to laugh—“but do you?”

The horrified look that takes over her face is worth the minor heart attack I just had. Clay’s bent over, howling in laughter, but once he finally regains his composure and catches his breath, he asks, “Is there something wrong at the apartment? What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I was bored.”

One look at her face, and I immediately call bullshit. I know how to read my sister better than anyone. “Lilliana…”

“I just wanted to hang out with you two and give Mom and Dad a night away from me. I love them, but it’s good to have a break from your roommates… especially when they’re your parents.” She looks down at her feetlike she’s ashamed before she continues, “I just… Seeing you guys this week and watching all of these students on campus… I feel like I should be further along with my life by now. I want to live on my own, but SoCal is outrageously expensive, and building my clientele hasn’t been as easy as I thought it was going to be. I just feel like I’m free falling and stuck in one place all at the same time. I don’t know how that’s even possible, but that’s how I feel.”

“Move into my place,” Clay says without a moment’s hesitation. It takes him a second to realize what he just said before he looks over at me hesitantly.

Lil looks from me to Clay and then back to me. I wink at her, then turn to him. “I didn’t think I would be having this conversation in front of my sister, but why the hell not.” I shrug and ask Clay what I’ve been keeping bottled up for a while now, “Move in with me,Garotão?”

Tears are already lining his eyes like he can’t believe I’m jumping on board so easily. But I want this. I want him in my bed every night when I go to bed and every morning when I wake up. I want his delicious desserts to cover my kitchen, and I want to hear him complain about how grumpy I get when I’m tired. I want it all.

Little does he know I’ve wanted this since the first night I had him in my bed.

“This can’t be because I offered my place to Lil, though. I don’t want to pressure you and take over your space. She can stay in my spare ro—”

I cut him off before he can say one more word. “The only Campos you’ll be living with is me, Clayton. Plus, you said so yourself, this is the kitchen of your dreams. And you’ll be right above your favorite store, so you can visit your BFF Kevin whenever you want.”

He closes the distance between us, wrapping me up in his arms. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” Clay pops kisses on my neck between each word. “I’ll move in, Baby.”

And like she has no self-control, Lil ruins the moment by fake gagging. “I’ll throw up, please, for the love of god. No tonguing each other in front of me.” She shivers dramatically, and I roll my eyes before she walks into the living room to flop on the couch. She quickly makes herself at home by grabbing the remote and turning on the TV.

She gives it a second before turning her head and smiling softly up at Clay. “Thank you.”

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