Page 86 of Topping the Jock
“I was proud of you,” Monty responded. “Even if I was too much of a coward to tell you. I was also kinda jealous.”
“Why?”
“I heard you sayin’ that your dad helped you make it,” Monty answered as a faraway look appeared in his eyes. “My dad barely even came to my football games. He just asked for a report after each one, nodding in approval if we won and looking pissed if we lost. I worked my ass off to make him proud, and instead, I only got a cold reception.”
Dad frowned. “No offense, but Russell has always been a prick. When I went to school with him, he was the same way. Arrogant and stuck up his own ass. He expected the world to bow down to him. And now he’s the damn mayor of Parkview.”
I leaned against Monty’s side, and he put an arm around me. I felt a small tremble go through his body. Even though his dad had been out of his life for years, his hurt over it was still strong. It probably always would be.
“How are you with cooking turkey?” Dad asked Monty. “I’ll need a hand this year with Thanksgiving dinner. Quinn is a damn good cook, but he can’t cook turkey for shit.”
“Hey,” I said, offended.
“You know it’s true.” Dad plopped down in the recliner. “When you cook it, it’s dryer than the Sahara Desert.”
Monty laughed, then tried to stifle it when I shot him a look. “I usually buy dinner out for Thanksgiving, so I’m not sure how much help I’d be. But I’d love to help out.”
I had suspected Monty spent the holidays alone over the years, but having the assumption confirmed hurt my heart. I made eye contact with my dad, mouthing a silent thank-you. He gave a subtle nod before eyeing Monty.
“I’ll put you to work,” he said. “I expect you two to be over at my house by nine o’clock that morning.”
“Yes, sir,” Monty responded with a smile.
Later that night, Monty and I lay in my bed after he’d pounded my ass good and hard. We had started pulling at each other’s clothes as soon as my dad had walked out the door earlier that evening. We just couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Our relationship had taken a massive step forward that day.
“My dad likes you,” I said, tracing circles on his arm with my forefinger. “He might seem hard around the edges, but I can tell.”
“He’s a cool guy,” Monty responded, his eyes closed and a relaxed smile on his plump lips. “Now I just have to win Reed over.”
I laughed. “Reed is easy compared to my dad. Nothing to worry about.” I kissed his damp chest, tasting the salt of his skin. “I hope it was okay to invite you to Thanksgiving.”
“Of course.” Monty gently rolled me to my back and smiled down at me, the chain necklace he wore falling forward. I didn’t know why, but there was something so fucking sexy about it. “Not to sound like a sap or anything, but this… you and me… it feels pretty damn right. Don’t ya think?”
Not trusting my voice because of the sudden swell of emotion, I nodded.
And then, because I was much better at expressing myself with actions rather than words, I claimed his lips in a heated kiss. I slid a hand between our bodies and stroked his cock, feeling it start to harden at my touch.
He softly groaned and pushed his tongue into my mouth just as he pushed forward with his hips, entering me. I dug my fingertips into his back and rolled my body upward, meeting his thrusts.
It had only been a few months, but I couldn’t remember my life before he’d come back into it. I didn’t want to.
***
“Do you have any idea what’s happening?” Reed asked, sitting beside me on the patio bench. He was bundled up in a heavy coat and a scarf as he held a steaming cup of coffee between his gloved hands.
Monty, Tyler, Neil, and Zane played football in front of us. We were at my house, and they were using my backyard as their field. The December air was cold but a little warmer than average that day. Still cold enough to make my teeth chatter, though. I didn’t see how they were able to move around.
“No idea,” I answered, then took a sip of my coffee.
Zane had come in from Seattle the day before. Apparently, he and his wife were considering a separation, and Monty had invited him down so they could talk things over. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about him. He had bullied me way more than Monty had, but one of the first things he’d said to me once arriving was how sorry he was for all the crap he’d put me through. The apology had seemed genuine.
“I never thought we’d be hanging around a bunch of jocks,” Reed said.
“Same.” I watched as Zane threw the ball to Monty. Monty caught it, tucked it to his chest, and ran for the flowerpot they had marked as the touchdown line. He didn’t move nearly as fast as he used to, but he was still quick and dodged Tyler and Neil easily. “I never thought I’d be in love with one of them either.”
“I’m happy for you, Beck.” Reed peered over at me with a smile. “Remember how I said I’m good at reading people? Well, Monty is head over heels in love with you too. It’s obvious in how his eyes sparkle when he looks at you. It might not make much sense in theory, but you two are perfect for each other. Before too long, you guys will be getting married. And I better be your best man goddammit.”
“The wedding bells won’t be ringing anytime soon,” I said with an amused snort. Yet, my heart warmed at the thought of standing across from Monty at the altar as we said our vows in front of the people we cared about most. “If that day ever comes, you know you’ll be my best man. No one else has put up with me as long as you have.”
