Page 27 of Coming to Grips
Chapter Ten
Kyle is up before the sun has fully crested the horizon. He’s off today, which means he has no reason to leave the cabin and avoid facing Chase. He almost wishes he had to work. And here he was worried that Chase was going to freak out. He snorts as he tugs on a pair ofbig boybasketball shorts.
They definitely have to have a conversation now. No matter how awkward. They can’t avoid acknowledging, at least, what happened. Kyle will apologize if need be, but God, he hopes it won’t be necessary. Chase isn’t strictly gay. Kyle’s pretty sure he’s pansexual. If Chase had been straight, Kyle’s sure he’d have taken a blow to the face, the gut, or the ‘nads. The fact that he didn’t means something. So.
Kyle finds the sci-fi channel and is happy to see re-runs ofBabylon 5playing, leaving the volume at a murmur. He doesn’t want to actually wake Chase up yet…he’s still got to figure what he wants to say. Chase’s favorite breakfast casserole magically appears while he thinks about it.
He’s no closer to knowing how to broach the subject when Chase shuffles out just as Kyle pulls the baking dish from the oven. He’s wearing nothing but boxers and sporting bed head of the highest order, and Kyle wants to tumble him back into bed and do wicked, wicked things with him. Yeah. He clears his throat.
“Smells good,” Chase says, voice gruff with sleep and color high on his cheeks.
“Morning,” Kyle says, feeling a prickle of nerves across his neck and shoulders. Time’s up.
“I’m just gonna…” Chase points at the bathroom even as he’s heading that way.
Kyle sets the table and turns off the TV. He serves up two platefuls of egg, tater nugget, and bacon casserole, takes a seat, and waits.
Chase slides into his chair. He studies the casserole, picks up his fork.
“About last night…” Kyle says softly.
Chase nods.
“I, ah…” Fuck. Kyle has no idea what to say. He’s not sorry, so he doesn’t want to apologize unless he really crossed a line. He’s pretty sure he didn’t. He also doesn’t want to make more out of it than it was—is, at the moment. He sure as hell doesn’t want to explain much. Not right now.
I noticed you were hard and thought you could use a hand.
I’ve wanted to touch your dick since high school.
I couldn’t fucking help myself.
All true, butnotat the same time. There’s so much more to it.
Kyle swipes a hand down his face. “Honestly, I don’t know what to say.”
Chase hums, swallows. “Um, it’s fine.” He dares to glance up. There’s a flush across his chest and up his neck. His eyes are shy, but not angry.
“Do I need to apologize?”
Chase shakes his head. “It was…it was nice.” “Nice” comes out a bit higher pitched than Chase’s usual tone, and Kyle smiles. Relief floods him with warmth.
“Okay.” It was more than nice, Kyle thinks, but he gets it. This is awkward as fuck, and, okay, moving on. It doesn’t appear that he’s damaged their friendship. He’ll take it. “So, uh…what do you want to do today?”
