Page 36 of Finally
Gentling his voice, he said, “Good on you for shooting your shot. Seriously. Keep it up. But not with me.”
“Oh.” He looked down at the floor, hair flopping over his face and shoulders hunched.
Gray felt as if he’d just kicked a puppy.
“Hey, listen, it’s not personal. I’m sure next time you approach someone, he’ll be thrilled. Don’t give up.”
“Yeah, right.”
“I mean it.” He awkwardly patted the guy’s shoulder. “I have a boyfriend.”
“You do?” he looked up, his expression suspicious. “I thought you were single. Like super single.”
“I’m not. I’msupernot.” He waited a few beats. “You good?”
“Sure, I guess.”
“Alright. Have a good workout.”
He walked toward the dumbbells and Thom followed. “I think you broke his heart.”
“I'm confident he wasn’t focused on his heart when he came over.”
“True.” Thom huffed. “Hey, were you giving him an excuse to let him down easy or were you talking about Jack with that boyfriend thing? Because I half thought you guys were playing around the other night to mess with Kevin.”
“We aren’t playing around. Jack’s finally ready for something serious.”
“I know, but Gray, doyouactually want something serious?”
He turned to the side and looked Thom in the face. “With Jack? Absolutely.”
Thom shook his head. “I would have put money on you staying single forever. You were the confirmed bachelor of our group and suddenly you’re a completely different person.”
“I haven’t changed; you just read me wrong.”
“Fair enough.” Thom nodded. “Fair enough.”
They finished their workout without more interruptions and then Gray drove back to Jack’s house. He walked inside and put back the garage door opener he had borrowed when he went to the gym. “Would it freak him out if I programmed it to my car and made myself a door code to the house?” he asked himself. “Probably.”
Patient. He could be patient while Jack caught up to the feelings Gray had long had. “Jack?” he called out. When he didn’t get an answer, he headed toward the workout room, assuming Jack was taking his morning run. He was right.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He leaned against the doorway and admired the view. Jack was on the treadmill wearing only sneakers and a pair of running shorts. Remarkably small running shorts.
“I’m sweaty.” Jack pressed a couple of buttons and the treadmill slowed and eventually stopped. “And out of breath.” He picked up a towel that was draped over the handle and wiped his face. “This isn’t my best look.”
“Mmm, I beg to differ.” He dragged his gaze from Jack’s face to his feet. “I like you sweaty.” He smirked as he walked over to him. “And out of breath.” He took the towel, wrapped it around Jack’s nape, and tugged him close. “Reminds me of last night.”
“Gray,” Jack sighed, his breath ghosting over Gray’s lips.
They came together, the kiss soft and sweet, just like the man sharing it with him.
“I could get used to this,” Gray whispered once they separated. “Morning kisses and weekends here with you.”
“Me too.”
“Good. Then we’ll make it a recurring event.” He gave Jack another quick peck. “Every weekend from now on.”
He had come over after work on Friday and planned to stay the weekend again. If it was up to him, he wouldn’t go back home come Monday, but while he had been in love with Jack for years,from Jack’s perspective, they’d only been dating for a few weeks. That was too soon to broach the topic.
