Page 36 of The Hookup Situation

He gives me a soft smile and heads for the fridge. I clear my throat. “Hey, you know you don’t have to leave when I have someone over, right?”

He moves to the oven with the carton of eggs. “Yeah, I know. I think you guys need some privacy though. It’s fine.”

“But it’s your home, too. I don’t want you to be out late and not sleeping because we’re fucking at 2 am and you don’t feel like you can come home. Shit, I just realized what an asshole of a friend I’ve been lately. I didn’t even think of that. I’m reallysorry. If you want to go to bed just tell me and I’ll make him leave, or we can both leave, or whatever.”

His eyes are soft when he looks at me. “Preston, shut up. I’m fine. You guys are fine. I will let you know if something needs to change, but it’s good right now. I want you to be happy, and he makes you happy, right?”

“Um, yeah, I guess he does. I mean, I don’t know what’s gonna happen long term, or anything, but…” God, I have to bite my lip to keep from grinning like an idiot thinking about Jackson.

He gestures to the cupboards. “Grab a plate.”

I do and he slides the eggs onto it. “Eat up,” he says, then slaps me on the shoulder. “I’m gonna shower and then I’m heading out.”

“Hey,” I catch him before he walks away. “You haven’t said anything to Parker or Blake about him, have you?”

“No, dude, that’s your thing to tell, not mine.”

“Thank you. Please don’t say anything to anyone about him. Especially not Parker or Blake. We’re trying to keep it kind of hush hush right now.”

“Of course.”

I nod and scarf down the sunny side up eggs on my plate before rinsing it off and putting it in the dishwasher. Then I drink some water and use the bathroom. I’m coming out of the bathroom when Chris is leaving, and when he opens the door he is startled before he says, “Oh, hi, you’re here for Preston.”

“Yeah,” I hear, in Jackson’s deep rumble.

“Come on in. I’m Chris, his roommate, but I’m leaving.”

“Thanks,” Jackson says, stepping inside.

“See you in class,” Chris calls to me, and then heads out.

Jackson turns and sees me, and I smile. He looks good in black leggings and a gray hoodie with a black jacket over top.A fleece headband covers his ears. I grab my hat and put it on before sliding into my shoes and grabbing my jacket.

“Ready?” he asks, and I nod. I want to kiss him, but maybe that’s weird? I refrain and grab my keys.

“Ready.”

“Just a head’s up, it’s colder than a witches tit out there,” Jackson says with absolute seriousness and I can’t help laughing.

“Shut up,” he says, and I can see the smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “I’m from California, okay? I’m still not used to this winter shit.”

I chuckle as he follows me out into the hallway and down the stairs.

“We could have taken the elevator, you know,” he remarks.

“What’s the matter, afraid to get a little sweaty?” I chide him.

He narrows his eyes at me. “Okay, volleyball prodigy, let’s see if you can keep up with me.”

“Are you saying you think you’re faster than I am?”

He grins. “Let’s find out.” He steps closer and grips my coat, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “Loser blows the winner. You want me on my knees for you, doll?”

Shit. A shiver races down my spine that has nothing to do with the cold.

Then he takes off, and I chase after him.

We head north towards the park and I keep up with him pretty well, though I’m starting to think he’s going slower than he usually does for my sake. I haven’t done long distance running in ages. I think I was in high school, and even though I’m in shape, this is no picnic.

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