Page 30 of Fast Break
“I did no such thing,” Jace replies indignantly. Eddie raises an eyebrow at him and Jace huffs. “It was one time.”
“You never told me you’re allergic to sport,” I say, directing my attention to Quinn. He just shrugs and I’m struck by how elegant his shoulders are, more sensual than overtly masculine. If that’s even a thing.
“I wouldn’t say allergic. I just never really got the appeal,” he says.
“I would have thought watching a bunch of sweaty men playing with balls was right up your alley,” Eddie cuts in before Jace throws the cushion back at his face. “Hey!”
“Well, I’m not complaining about that,” Quinn quirks back, eyes on me while I lose my grip on my smile.
“Are we starting this movie or what?” Jace grumbles. Quinn shoots me a quick smile before he stands to turn off the lights and the movie starts. I try to pay attention to the movie but I am sidetracked by watching how Quinn interacts with Jace, noting the familiarity and ease between them as they share a bowl of popcorn. I know it is jealousy I am feeling.
The pizzas arrive in the middle of the movie. Quinn pauses for intermission while he brings the boxes to the dining table, and we descend like vultures. Amy comes downstairs in the middle of the chaos, dressed in her work scrubs and pulling her hair into a ponytail.
“Oh hello, JT,” she says when she sees me. Her smile is real and I feel so special to have been singled out by her. “I didn’t realise you were coming over tonight. It’s lovely to see you.”
“Nice to see you too, Amy,” I smile back at her.
“How was your game last night?” she asks.
“We had a good win,” I tell her, pleased she remembered.
“Well done you.”
“Hi, Amy,” Jace cuts in, drawing her attention his way.
“Hello, Jace,” Amy replies. Her greeting is not said with the same level of enthusiasm and I can’t help but preen a little inside, feeling smug and petty all at once.
“Are you off to your shift?” I ask.
“Yep unfortunately but someone’s got to do it. On the plus side, it’s double time for Saturday nights so I find it hard to say no. Can you help this one keep an eye on things for me?” she adds, pulling Quinn into a one-armed hug.
“I’ll certainly try,” I laugh.
“Bye, Mum,” Quinn says with an eyeroll, but he pecks a kiss on her cheek and she pats his head affectionately. I feel a pang of envy at the easy way they are with each other, none of the staid formality and demand for respect that I’m more familiar with at home.
I use the pause in proceedings to good effect, swooping in and stealing the seat next to Quinn when we return for the movie. Jace scowls at me but drops into the armchair, thankfully opting out of causing a scene. Quinn sends me a knowing smirk, his eyebrow raised as he hits play on the movie, but I don’t look away from him. His smile drops from his face, and I think I forget how to breathe. Quinn is the one who looks away first and I suck in a breath of air.
I’m overly aware of Quinn beside me, his presence electric. I sink into the comfort of the sofa, trying to stave off the yawns but I am really tired from last night’s game and the movie is kind of boring. I feel my head start to dip and my eyelids droop.
It is only when I hear murmurs around me that I realise I have fallen asleep. But that is not the worst of it because I soon discover that my head is somehow inexplicably in Quinn’s lap. I freeze, embarrassment hitting like a tidal wave as awareness seeps in. The lights are still dim, but I am acutely aware of the fact my ear is pressed up against Quinn’s dick, my cheek in his lap. I hurry to lick up a drop of drool before it lands. It’s then I realise Quinn’s hand is in my hair, fingers gently moving between the strands absently, almost like he's not aware of the movement.
Am I dreaming? Is this actually happening? I don’t dare move because if I do then it will become a weird thing, me with my head in Quinn’s lap, him gently stroking my hair. I’m heating up all over, breaths quickening and blood rushing south, but I don’t dare open my eyes.
The guys are talking, and I realise the movie has finished but I don’t know what to do. Nobody seems to be mentioning the fact I am sleeping on Quinn’s lap although I’m certain it has not gone unnoticed. I lay still as I hear Benson, or is it Eddie, announce they’re heading home.
Quinn must feel me stir because next second his fingers are out of my hair, and I lament their absence immediately. But then he is leaning down to my ear, his breath warm on my skin.
“Don’t move,” he says, voice low and soothing. He carefully manoeuvres himself out from under me, replacing his very comfortable lap with a cushion. I hear him walking down the hallway with his friends, but I don’t want to look in case Jace is still here in the lounge and I have to see the judgment on his face. Because I’m kind of judging myself too. I literally just fell asleep on Quinn’s dick. I don’t think I’ve ever been so embarrassed.
I hear the quiet murmurs of voices and then the door is closing shut and it is just me and Quinn alone in his house. He pads back into the living room and I open my eyes, wondering what on earth he is thinking of me as the blood rushes to my cheeks.
I sit up, clutching the cushion he so gently laid under my head to my chest. “I’m so sorry,” I say. “I didn’t realise how tired I was after basketball last night.”
“It’s quite alright,” he replies, perching on the coffee table in front of me. There is a definite smile in his eyes.
“Sorry for …” I begin, waving my hand when words flee. Sorry for falling asleep squished up on your dick is what I wanted to say. Although I’m not entirely sure I am legitimately sorry about that part.
“It’s really okay, JT,” Quinn says and yep, he is definitely amused by me. “Do you want me to take you home? Or …”
