Page 67 of Game Changer
“Right, yeah. I guess it would be like that.”
They talked and ate, and Scott tried, but failed, to keep himself from visibly leaning on the counter for support.
“Come on,” Kip said, after Scott wasn’t able to conceal a wince. “You must be hurting. Let’s go back to the couch.”
Scott didn’t argue. Kip helped Scott lower himself onto the couch, letting him stretch out on his back. Kip sat at one end so Scott could rest his head in his lap. They watched an action movie on television, and Kip brushed his fingers through Scott’s hair.
And soon, Scott forgot all about trade deadlines and Zullo and nasty bruises.
* * *
Kip watched the credits roll on Scott’s massive television screen. “Man, how much do you think it cost to make that dumb movie?”
Scott didn’t answer. Upon closer inspection, Scott Hunter was, in fact, asleep in his lap.
Kip smiled to himself, and admired Scott’s profile. He looked so peaceful and young. His long eyelashes brushed his cheekbones, and his full, pink lips were parted slightly. All of the tension Scott usually carried with him had left his face.
Kip reached and took Scott’s hand in his. He didn’t want to wake him, but his legs were asleep. “Hey,” he whispered. “Come on, Scott. Time for bed.”
“Mrmff,” Scott said. Then his eyes fluttered open, and he gazed up at Kip and smiled shyly. “Sorry,” he said. “Always pretty exhausted after games.”
“S’okay. We should go to bed. I have to get up early.” Kip helped him up, and kissed him. “I had a nice time tonight.”
Scott lit up. “Me too.”
They stripped down to their underwear and then crawled into bed. Scott needed to lie on his back because of his injury, and Kip lay beside him with a hand on his chest.
“G’night,” Kip said.
Scott placed a hand over Kip’s. “Will you come here tomorrow night?”
“You want me to?”
“Yeah. I do.”
“I’ll have to go home after work first. Get some clothes and stuff.”
“You should keep stuff here,” Scott murmured sleepily.
“Seriously?”
Scott seemed to wake up a bit, obviously realizing what he had just suggested. “Well...yeah. I mean...it would make sense, right? I live close to your work and—” he smiled shyly “—I like having you here.”
Kip raised himself up so he could kiss Scott.
“I feel bad,” Scott said. “Couldn’t do much with you tonight. Want to make it up to you.”
“You’re not going to be healed by tomorrow night!”
“I know...but maybe—”
“Tomorrow night,” Kip said, “we’ll see. I’m not letting you do anything that might hurt you.”
Scott sighed but smiled affectionately at him.
“Besides,” Kip said, “I like talking to you.”
Scott lifted Kip’s palm to his mouth and kissed it. “Me too.”
