Page 25 of Summer Catch

Jon couldn’t even promise that. But he could sure as hell put the work in to make it a possibility.

“I hope so,” Jon said. The team—specifically the players that had survived Mr. G’s purge—had been through the wringer. They deserved some success. And it wouldn’t exactly be terrible for him, either.

“Where you guys at next?” Kieran asked, tucking a swoop of honey blond hair behind his ear.

“We’re going to Dallas, then Washington. The Commanders. Nelson’s finally getting his legs under him. He threw some gorgeous passes to Carter this week in practice.”

“Not focusing on the short game as much?” Kieran asked, taking a sip of his beer.

“We are, but why have a receiver like Carter Maxwell and not use him? And that isn’t him talking,” Jon said dryly. It was nice to be able to sit here like this, across from someone he cared about, as a friend and more, and just have a normal conversation.

“Yeah, I can’t imagine he liked that game plan much,” Kieran pointed out.

“I can handle Carter.” He hoped he could handle Carter. Carter was notoriously difficult to handle. He’d been on four teams in five years and he’d finally landed on the Condors because they’d hoped his incredible talent would supersede his inability to keep his temper in check or his dick in his pants.

“I know you can,” Kieran said soothingly, reaching out and grasping his hand briefly. Too briefly. There were definitely moments he regretted drawing this line.

Moments he wanted to obliterate it entirely.

You will. When it’s right. When it’s time.

“But at least the defense is solid. I thank God every day that we’ve got Deacon and Jem, holding down the fort.”

“You’re not still concerned about that corner?”

“Rex is gonna be okay,” Jon said, and it was more of a hope than a certainty—but that was this business for you. Sometimes you could only set things up and hope they worked the way they were supposed to.

“I haven’t seen many of them come in yet,” Kieran pointed out. “Deac and Jem a few times, grabbing a quiet drink.”

“Bless their uncomplicated friendship,” Jon said and Kieran laughed.

“Being a head coach isn’t necessarily being the best at schemes or game plans or motivation, it’s freaking keeping all these different personalities from destroying one another,” Jon continued wryly.

“And,” Kieran said, leaning forward, a knowing smile emerging, “I bet you’re really fucking good at that. In fact, I know you’re really fucking good at that.”

Jon felt the impact of the compliment.

It meant more coming from Kieran because it felt sometimes like he was the only person in the world anymore who really knew him, inside and out.

And still liked him.

“Come on, here’s the shrimp,” Kieran said, lightening the mood as the waitress set piles of peel and eat shrimp onto their table. “Eat up.” His eyes twinkled. “You’re gonna need the energy for later.”

“God,” Jon groaned as Kieran pinned him to the wall just inside his front door and kissed his neck. “I was thinking about this the whole fucking dinner. Ever since you said, you’re gonna need the energy for later.”

He was already hard and aching in his jeans, so eager for even a touch. Had been that way for what felt like hours now. Days.

“Like it when you’re like this. All desperate,” Kieran teased, lips dipping lower, under the collar of his T-shirt, hands already underneath it, tracing patterns along his chest, his stomach, his abs.

“I like it when you make me all desperate.” But still, Jon reached up, stilled Kieran’s wandering hands. “Let me suck you.”

Kieran half-laughed, half-moaned. “I never imagined you’d love sucking cock this much.”

“Me neither.” Jon could admit that much, at least, but Kieran didn’t stop him as he dropped to his knees, enjoying the view of Kieran’s long, muscular legs, dusted with blond hair, and his cock, hard and pressing against the zipper of his shorts.

Jon made quick work of the shorts and then Kieran’s boxer briefs, not wasting any time before he leaned in and licked a stripe up the back of his cock. Maybe if he could push Kieran to the edge, to where he was currently living, he’d take pity on him, not drive him absolutely crazy with desire.

“Yeah, ugh, just like that.” Kieran’s hands settled into Jon’s hair, and he didn’t pull, but gave a gentle tug. They’d both learned that Jon loved the encouragement to take him harder and deeper, not ever choking him on Kieran’s cock, but pushing him right to the edge of his comfort zone.

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