Page 32 of Finally
Kevin could be a bit snarky and pushy, but he meant well. At least normally he meant well. His constant digs at Gray struck Jack as different from his usual MO; they were a little too frequent and more than a little too harsh. But true to form, they rolled off Gray’s back. He was unflappable.
Hand on Jack’s thigh, Gray reclined against the couch, looking completely unbothered. “Also, consider leaving your phone in another room if you’re honestly worried about broadcasting your solo sessions.”
“I would but I use my phone for, uh, inspiration material so…”
“Use your laptop instead,” Gray said, before turning to Jack and lowering his voice. “Why am I taking part in this conversation?”
Jack grinned and shrugged.
“I read that cyberthieves can turn on your laptop camera remotely,” Jeffrey said. “So you should be careful using that.”
“Put a Post-It over your camera,” Eric suggested. He pointed at his head. “Think smarter so you can come harder.”
“Why are we friends with them?” Gray asked, this time pitching his voice louder so everyone could hear.
“You’re the one who suggested the laptop,” Thom pointed out. “Keep your mouth shut if you want this ridiculous conversation to end.”
“Fair point,” Gray agreed.
“Who wants another drink?” Thom asked, likely in an effort to change the topic.
“I do,” Jack said.
“I’ll get it.” Gray raised Jack’s hand to his mouth, kissed the underside of his wrist, and took his glass. He rose from the couch and walked over to the liquor cart.
“Thank you.” Despite being at a last-minute get-together, listening to Kevin’s ridiculous anecdotes, and not avoiding but also definitely avoiding one of Gray’s past hookups, Jack was the happiest he had been in as long as he could remember.
Chapter 9
They had stayed at Kevin’s house until close to midnight, so by the time they got back to Jack’s they had just enough energy to brush their teeth and strip down to their underwear before falling into bed. The upside to the long night was that Jack was way too tired and way too tipsy to go through what Gray now identified as insecurity induced anxiety, so he had immediately scooted close to Gray and wrapped his arm around his waist.
After so many years waiting and hoping and longing, he was finally sharing Jack’s bed. “Hey.” He met Jack’s gaze and smiled.
Jack brought his fingers up to Gray’s mouth and traced it. “Hi.”
He put his hand over Jack’s, pushed it to his lips, and kissed it. “I’m glad I’m here.”
They were already pressed together from shoulders to toes, but Jack managed to get closer. “Me too. I’ve been hoping for this.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He searched Jack’s eyes.
Shrugging, Jack said, “I didn’t want you to feel obligated.”
That pierced his heart. “Jack—”
“I know that’s not why you’re here.”
“You do?”
“I do now.” Jack nodded.
That felt like tremendous progress. “Good.” Jack’s hand was still in his, so he flipped it and kissed the underside of his wrist.
“Want to do that to my lips?”
Almost giddy at the display of confidence, Gray laughed. “You read my mind.”
They moved together in concert, lips meeting for one tender kiss after another. Unfortunately, the long day had drained them too much for it to last, and before long, Jack’s breathing slowed and his body settled.
