Page 7 of Slam Dunk
“Hey.”
Silence dragged between them. Still, Quince felt better knowing Jathan was on the other end of the line.
“So, I’m a little drunk. I apologize now if I say anything totally dumb.”
A smile exploded across Quince’s face. “I kind of like that about you. Everyone is pretty serious around me all the time. I thought you didn’t drink.”
“I don’t. It didn’t take much to get me here.” Jathan paused. He heard Jathan blow out a sigh. “So here’s the thing. When I asked you to dinner the other night, I really kind of meant the offer as a date. But then I got worried you didn’t see it that way, so I decided to pull back and just accept whatever because I really don’t have any friends, so that was good too. Does that make any sense, or am I just rambling? I feel like I’m rambling.”
Just like that night, Quince hadn’t stopped grinning like an idiot from the moment Jathan started talking. “I get what you’re saying. When I left, I couldn’t stop smiling, thinking about how much fun I had and how great you are. I don’t really have friends either, so I was ridiculously excited. But then I started looking way too closely at things and I realized I wanted more. Then I panicked, and I always fuck things up when that happens. I guess my point is, I genuinely like you a lot. If we can be friends, then I really want that.”
“What if I want more?”
God. He would not be a fucking coward and regret it for the rest of his life. “Then I really want that too, but I’ll take whichever you choose because I was serious. I’ve never been happier than I was the other night. You’re really amazing. I loved spending time with you.”
Another bout of silence fell between them. He might have thought their call had dropped if he didn’t hear Jathan moving around.
“So, what are you wearing?”
A bark of laughter burst from Quince. Lord, he was so much fun. “Sorry. I just got a sudden image of Artem sitting there, listening in horror.”
Jathan laughed. It was a sexy sound. “Nah. I ended up drinking his wine. Since he was sober when I got your text, he decided togo home. I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did. He wouldn’t do well sleeping away from Tip.”
It was a little horrific thinking about Artem reading his text alongside Jathan, but whatever. At this point, he had already humiliated himself all over the place. “Yeah. Even if he’d gotten drunk, Tip probably would’ve come to get him. He doesn’t like to share.”
A sexy chuckle caressed his ear through the phone. “You never said what you’re wearing. Was that intentional?”
Damn. Now that he had Jathan talking sexy in his ear, things didn’t feel that strange after all. He was an adult. Quince wanted what he wanted. He wouldn’t back down. “No. I just got into bed before I got your text, so I’m in my underwear.”
“Wow. You meant it. You’re really willing to go past friendship.”
Quince smirked. Now he felt like the man he truly was. He wasn’t weak. “If you’ll actually go for someone old like me, then hell yeah. What are you wearing?”
Jathan’s laughter was everything. “Sadly, I’m fully dressed. The room is spinning quite a bit. I really hate drinking.”
“Keep one foot on the floor.”
“Solid advice.” Jathan sounded tired. “I gave my court-side tickets to Artem and Tip.”
“How are you getting to the game?”
“It’s not that far, so I’m driving.”
Quince felt good on the inside. Warm. He didn’t care about any fucking tickets. “Then you can celebrate with me after you win.”
“I’d like that.”
“It’s sounds like you’re falling asleep on me.”
“That sounds nice.” He honestly sounded half asleep. “You have a great chest. I bet it makes an amazing pillow.”
“You should find out sometime. Right now, you need to go to bed before you pass out. We can talk tomorrow.” When Jathan was sober. He hoped Jathan remembered this and didn’t wake up still finished with him.
“Okay. Quince?”
Quince smiled. It sounded in the voice. “Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re still my friend.”
