Page 28 of Coming to Grips
Chapter Eleven
Kyle and Chase both sleep late on Thursday, the day of their trip to Ardmore. As late as two super-early risers can, which means they’re both up and moving around by seven thirty. Kyle prepares a leisurely breakfast, and, afterward, they tidy up the cabin and are on the road by noon.
The four-and-a-half hour drive to Ardmore is pleasant. They talk about the ranch, baseball, Chase’s recovery, and all kinds of other shared interests as well as memorable events and trips from their past.
They don’t talk about continued hand jobs or the change in their relationship. They should at some point, probably, but for right now, things are fine.
Kyle pulls up to the Hampton Inn & Suites, and Chase whistles.
“Going fancy on me, huh?”
Compared to the other hotels on the block, yeah, it’s fancy. For a baseball game in Ardmore, Oklahoma, yeah, it’s fancy. If Kyle’s true intent had been seduction, this place isn’t even in the ballpark.
Kyle turns in his seat. “No matter what we tell other people, Chase, this is a date. So, yes, I went fancy on you.”
Chase’s mouth forms an O, and Kyle’s stomach lurches just a bit. Shit. It’s not what he meant to say. He meant to make a joke. But he wants to stake his claim. He wants Chase to have some inkling of how he feels. That this is serious.
“We’ve never not talked about stuff. You’re important to me, and I want you to know I’m not just playing around.”
There’s a blush on Chase’s cheeks. “I didn’t think you were.”
“Good. So anyway, this is a date. If you’re okay with it being a date.”
Chase glances out at the hotel and he’s quiet for so long that Kyle’s gut starts quivering. All he can do is wait with his heart in his throat.
Chase finally looks shyly at Kyle. “Yeah. Okay.”
Kyle’s breath whooshes out. Oh, thank fuck. God, if he’d screwed this up…but he didn’t.
Chase grins. “I’ve never been taken on a date before. I’ve always done the taking. As far as first dates go, this is pretty damn good.”
Kyle snorts. “Well, I suppose it depends on your perspective, but I think so too. C’mon. Let’s check in and go find some dinner before the game.”
They’re assigned a rear room on the fourth floor. The view is a field of scrubby trees behind the hotel, but it’s better than a parking lot. The two queen beds tease Kyle with their size and their nearness. He’d chosen a double queen room partly for appearances, but mostly because they’ve never slept together, in either sense of the phrase.
Kyle hopes that changes soon, but Chase has only dated and had sex with women. Sharing a bed with a man is probably a step Chase isn’t ready to take just yet, considering he hasn’t touched Kyle’s dick in return at this point.
It’s been a week since Kyle took a chance. And while he’s masturbated Chase after every massage since, Chase hasn’t responded in kind. Which is fine, of course. This is all new to Chase, and Kyle won’t push Chase to go faster than he’s ready for. But, God, he can’t wait to have Chase’s hands on him. ‘Course, Kyle’ll probably blow his load as soon as Chase touches him, but Kyle can’t bring himself to care. It’ll be fucking amazing.
“Hey, there’s a sit-down pizza place a couple of blocks over,” Chase says, pulling Kyle from his musings.
Thankful to have to turn around to grab his keys and the room card, Kyle adjusts his dick. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.”
* * *
August evenings in South Central Oklahoma aren’t much different from August evenings in West Texas—hot and humid. The ballpark is about ten times smaller than the Texas ballpark in Arlington. While not new, it appears well maintained with beige cinder block walls and white wood framework. Ardmore must love it some baseball. Their seats are along the third base line, right behind the dugout, and Kyle shouts to his friend Dakota when he appears on the field for warm-ups. Three hours or so later, the Armadillos pull off a win against the North Platte Pioneers.
Kyle’s pumped, and his wide grin and sparkling eyes make Chase warm on the inside. It’s been a great first date so far, except it doesn’t feel entirely like a first date. Although, to be honest, he’s not sure what that should feel like with two guys.
“Hey, you want to go out with the team?” Kyle asks, bumping Chase’s shoulder with his own as they pass through the tunnel from the stadium bowl to the outer concourse. “Dakota invited us.”
“Sure, yeah.”
“You okay? Your arm bothering you? ‘Cause we can go back to the hotel, if you’d rather.”
Part of him would rather go back to their room, because Kyle’s been attentive and tactile, and Chase wants it to remain just the two of them. But Kyle’s excited about seeing his friend, so Chase isn’t going to say no.
“My arm’s fine.” He’d brought and is wearing his sling; it’s a visual indication that his arm’s out of commission, and strangers don’t ask.
