Page 111 of Make the Play
“If you will excuse us, me and Charlie have to discuss the terms of my winning bet.”
“No we don’t,” Charlie tries. “I want to talk to Emerson, and?—”
Whatever Andrew whispers makes Charlie change his tune. Jason really wishes he knew how Andrew controlled Charlie because he’s the only one who ever has been able to.
“Never mind, me and Andrew have to talk.”
With that, they disappear down the hallway, quietly whispering in that way they do like no one else exists. It’s not until their voices fade into the sitting room off the kitchen that Jason fully relaxes.
“So,” Jason laughs. “Are you ready to run away? They’re a lot.”
“They’re amazing,” Emerson whispers. “I like your family, Jason. Maybe not for like prolonged periods, except for Andrew, but uh, they’re nice. And they obviously love you.”
“They’re pretty great,” Jason agrees, because he loves his nosy, noisy family. “They’re going to love you, you know.”
“Because you do?”
“Well partly,” Jason answers, turning Emerson so he’s directly in front of Jason. He cups his cheeks, “but just because you’re you. I told you, Emmy, you’re an easy man to love.”
Uncertainty shines in his eyes, but this time he doesn’t argue. What he does do is rise onto tip-toes, pressing his lips to Jason in a kiss that floods Jason with pleasure. He wraps his arms around Emerson's neck, kissing him once more before pulling him into a hug.
The front door is still wide open, cool night air and the glow of the street light filtering into the warmth of the house. Jason takes it all in, the stars outside twinkling brightly while the sound of his family’s playful teasing filters out from the other room.
“I’m so happy, Jason,” Emerson whispers, burrowing into his chest.
Jason holds him all the tighter, everything he’s ever wanted in his arms. “Me too, Emmy. Me too.”
EPILOGUE
EMERSON
Jason
hey emmy
you wanna hear a funny joke
Affection fills Emersonchests as he reads the message. Technically, he shouldn’t be checking his phone, but it’s the five minutes between classes. His next one is a study hall, so he made an exception, eager to see if there were any messages from Jason. He saw him that morning, and at lunch, but Emerson misses him just the same.
Emerson
That depends. Is it about football?
He doesn’t expect a reply until later, so when his phone dings immediately he grabs it off his desk, eager to read Jason’s message before his students start filing into the room.
Jason
not this time ;)
but if it was I bet youd laugh
Emerson
That is statistically unlikely.
Jason
one day im going to tell a football joke you like
