Page 44 of Make the Play
“Tighter,” he chokes.
Jason doesn’t ask if he’s sure, trusting Emerson to know what he wants and needs. Slowly, Jason’s arms tighten around him in the sweetest pressure, affording the permission Emerson needs to return the hug, relishing in the feeling of Jason pressed so tightly to him. To his relief, Jason doesn’t pepper him with questions or release the hold too soon, seemingly content to let Emerson’s fingers dig into the back of his cotton shirt and bury his face in Jason’s shoulder.
There’s undeniable strength in the arms that hold him but softness too, from the swell of his tummy to the slow cadence of his gentle breathing.
Has Emerson ever felt this good? This safe? Pleasure buzzes in his brain at the full-body contact, his entire nervous system sighing in pleasure the same way his body relaxes beneath the comfort of his favorite weighted blanket. Except hugging Jason is ten times better than his blanket, the curve of his muscles and softness surrounding Emerson in his strength and scent. While Emerson might be woefully inexperienced in this particular thing, he’s certain there’s no better hugger in the world than Jason.
Settling into the embrace, he focuses on the rise and fall of Jason’s chest, the faint ba-bump of his steady heart, and the hand that strokes up and down his back. Every bit of tension and unease bleeds from him in the most cathartic release he’s ever experienced.
A loud knock at the door has Jason pulling back and though Emerson is disappointed to end the hug, it’s hard to focus on anything besides the thrum of contentment pulsing through him.
“That’s the pizza,” Jason says, taking a small step back. “I should get it.”
“Alright,” Emerson nods.
“Are you okay?” Jason asks.
“I’m good,” Emerson answers, surprised at how truthful the words are. “Really good.”
The corners of Jason’s mouth turn up in a smile, somehow smaller and softer than his usual, yet more affecting than any of them have ever been because this one is because of Emerson,forEmerson.
Someone clears their throat, and Emerson spins to find Theo in the archway, an unreadable expression on his face as he stares at Jason. “Pizza’s here.”
“Shit, yeah. I’ll get that.”
Jason moves past Emerson, pausing to give his arm another squeeze before he’s gone, heading to the front door and leaving Emerson alone with Jason’s best friend. He’s heard enough stories about Theo to know how important he is to Jason—his favorite person in the world, Jason had called him once.
“So,” Theo starts, moving towards the fridge. “You and Jason.”
It’s not exactly a question which is probably for the best since Emerson has no idea how to respond. Is Theo unhappy he crashed their pizza night? Jason insisted he and Alec wouldn’t mind, but maybe Jason was wrong. Doubt knots itself around his heart, the tension doubling when Theo doesn’t say anything for long seconds, opening the fridge and pulling out a beer. He closes the fridge with his hip, blue eyes piercing in their intensity as he stares at Emerson.
“I don’t know if you know this,” Theo starts, popping the tab on the beer can, “but Jason has never invited anyone to our pizza nights before.”
Emerson has no idea how he would know that.
“You’re different,” Theo continues, something in his tone gentling. Despite his size, he’s got the same nonthreatening aura as Jason, and it’s hard to continue being stressed out when he looks at Theo’s smile or remembers all the nice things Jason has said about him. Maybe he’s just a little jealous? If that’s the case, he can reassure him.
“Jason is just being nice,” Emerson tries, entirely out of his depth to navigate this situation.
“Jason is nice,” Theo agrees. “He’s the nicest guy I’ve ever known. He would do anything for the people he cares about.Anything.”
He’s not saying things that Emerson doesn’t already know, though why he’s saying them Emerson has no idea. Are they just talking about how wonderful Jason is? Because if so, that’s easy.
“He’s the best,” Emerson agrees, thinking about the shape of his smile and the feeling of his arms. Best hardly begins to cover what Jason is. “I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s funny and kind and helpful. He’s…incredible.”
Theo’s smile grows. “You like him.”
“I think anyone who meets Jason would like him,” Emerson points out.
“Lots of people like Jason.” Theo’s smile dims. “Not everyone deserves him.”
That makes Emerson frown. Have people been mean to Jason? He can’t imagine that when Jason is so easy to like. But then, people are kind of terrible, so nothing would surprise him. Emerson almost asks, the question just on the tip of his tongue, when Jason reappears in the kitchen.
Jason’s eyes dart between Theo and Emerson. “I’m not interrupting something, am I?”
“Not at all,” Theo answers. “Emerson and I were just bonding.”
“That right?” Jason grins, expression brightening. “Over what? Let me guess, you two were singing the praises of my dazzling charm and good looks?”
