Page 118 of Game Changer
“How are you feeling?”
“Wonderful,” Kip rasped. He flopped back onto the pillow.
“You were cute last night,” Scott said. “Real cuddly. Until you fell asleep on me.”
“Sorry,” Kip said.
“Don’t be. I’m glad you had fun.” Scott ran his fingers through Kip’s hair, and Kip closed his eyes and sighed happily.
“Do I smell bacon?” he murmured.
“Yes! I made French toast and bacon.”
“Oh my god. You are the best.”
“It’s ready whenever you are. Coffee too. I have to leave pretty soon.”
Kip sat up. “Right! Sorry, I forgot about your practice. Okay. I’m just gonna take a real quick shower.”
He stood under the shower just long enough to shampoo his hair once and run soap over his body. He felt a lot better when he got out.
He walked into the kitchen in sweatpants and a T-shirt and wet hair. Scott handed him a mug of coffee, and Kip kissed him.
“Seriously,” Kip said. “Best boyfriend ever.”
They sat at the kitchen counter and ate (incredible) French toast, and he told Scott a bit about his evening. “I remember,” he said, “in the car last night. You said you had a rough time?”
“Oh.” Scott looked at his plate and blushed. “It’s nothing. I was in a weird mood last night. Don’t worry about it.”
“No, come on. Tell me.”
Scott put his fork down. “I think maybe it was the first time I really felt... I mean, the gala was tough, but you going out with your friends for your birthday...”
Kip reached over and put a hand on his forearm.
“I should have been there,” Scott said. “That’s what was bothering me all night. I wish I could just...” He sighed. “It doesn’t matter. No point in crying over things I can’t have. Should just be thankful for what I do have.”
Kip was very close to asking Scott if he wassurehe couldn’t have those things. If it would be so bad if he publicly came out. But he’d promised himself he wouldn’t push that issue. Scott understood the stakes far better than Kip.
Instead, he said, “You need to be ready.”
Scott’s face was miserable. “Iwantto be ready.”
“You will be. Soon,” Kip said, squeezing his arm.
Scott nodded and gave him a tight smile. “Sorry. Like I said, it was just a weird, lonely night. Imagination started running a little wild.”
“I’ve been there. I understand.”
Kip kissed him, and Scott deepened it immediately, placing a hand on his face and sliding off his stool so he could stand over him. Kip’s neck strained up to meet him as Scott explored his mouth with his tongue.
“You’re good at that,” Kip breathed when they broke apart.
“Must be all those years of practice,” Scott said dryly.
“Stop it.” Kip hit him lightly in the chest. “When do you need to leave?”
Scott looked at his watch. “Now, pretty much. Car is gonna be here in a couple of minutes.”
