Page 59 of Fast Break
I have not ever once in all my years of schooling been invited to hang with the cool kids and I’m kind of amused that I am now. But I share a glance with JT, and he seems pleased by the idea, so I agree to go join the celebrations. I know I shouldn’t hold their best player to ransom even though a very big, very selfish part of me wants to get him home and stripped naked in my bed.
I can be patient though.
We’re on the other side of town from Evergreen so we end up at Milky Way, a 24-hour burger and shake joint that’s actually pretty cool. It’s the kind of place with enormous murals of famous faces on the walls, and the kind of place that doesn’t mind having twenty loud and hyped-up teenagers take over the entire back half of the restaurant.
I’ve always thought of Trey Sterling as a bit of an attention seeking buffoon, but he turns out to be a little bit okay. He’s still an attention seeker and way too loud for any single human being, but he’s actually kind of funny in a non-ironic way. I find myself more amused than peeved by him. He also gets the very, very big tick in his column of being JT’s cousin and I know he loves Trey very much—so I am intent on at least making an effort.
I think there’s a little confusion amongst the crew about why I am suddenly turning up at the Dukes’ games and after match celebrations, but nobody comes out and says anything. So I just ignore the confused glances or the way Chanel looks at me with curious eyes or the way Vince scrunches up his nose as he scrutinises where I am sitting very close to JT. If JT were open to it I’d hold his hand in front of them all. Hell, I’d kiss him and not blink an eye. But I know this is not my call to make so I leave that for him to decide. I’ve been dealing with this for years, not weeks like he has.
It’s not as though JT is doing anything to encourage the rumours or speculation about us, but he’s also not exactly doing anything to dampen them either. He has no issues squeezing into the seat beside me, thigh pressed up to mine, shoulders bumping. He doesn’t stop me from buying him a milkshake or from sharing a bowl of chips. He had no issues arriving in the same car as me even though he could have gone with Trey.
JT’s friends are very different from mine, but I can also see where he fits in with them. He’s not as loud or as arrogant as most of them but he matches their energy and sense of humour. I don’t mind seeing him in this environment. The two of us have been living in our own little bubble but it’s good to remember we’re both still teenagers who need lives and interests outside of each other.
There’s enough going on around us that nobody is paying attention when I lean into JT’s ear. I like the way he automatically inclines his head towards me.
“Have I socialised with the cool kids for long enough?” I ask. He smiles as he glances across at me.
“What else did you have in mind?” he asks innocently.
“Oh, not much. Maybe just you and me, your dick down my throat.” JT coughs out a laugh, his cheeks pinking up as he glances around to make sure no one is listening to our conversation. They aren’t. I already made sure of that.
“Are you trying to make me blush?” he returns.
“I think that’s an unavoidable outcome with you, sweet,” I grin.
“Right, well you’ve succeeded,” he replies with a little huff that is patently adorable. “But back to your original question, yes I do believe we’ve socialised long enough.”
“Should we slink away into the night or do you want to do a big farewell?”
“Let’s just get up and go,” he returns, nodding in the direction of the door. So that’s what we do and it’s not too long a drive before we’re back home and I can put into practice my naughty words to JT. We only make it halfway up the stairs before I’m on my knees beneath him, his pants around his ankles and hand twisting in my hair.
Now this is the kind of team celebration I can get fully behind.
CHAPTER 21
jt
I’m beginning to think there is no nicer way to start a day than the way I find myself snuggled up with Quinn in his warm, comfy bed. The sun is painting soft streaks across our blue quilt and the magpies and rosellas are having a battle for loudest bird of the morning outside the window.
Quinn is still asleep, his dark hair obscuring those pretty blue eyes but nothing can change how very, very beautiful my man is.
I’m also very aware of how naked we both currently are but I’m trying my best to ignore how turned on I am. I’m pretty sure I heard Amy come home a few minutes ago and I’m trying to remind myself to be respectful of her son in her house. Even if I’d rather be very disrespectful with him.
Quinn stirs and suddenly I’m assaulted by a sea of ocean blue as those eyes focus on me. He quirks a smile.
“You are a very nice sight to wake up to,” he says, voice all cosy from sleep.
“Not just a nice sight,” I quip, rubbing myself against him. He lets out a choked sound which I think is only fair payback after those naughty words he whispered in my ear last night at Milky Way.
“Definitely not just a nice sight,” he agrees, grabbing my ass to stop me from grinding against him. “Behave.”
“Behaving is boring.”
That has him smiling. I love the way it lights up his eyes. “You like living on the edge, huh? Well, if you can promise to be quiet maybe we can sneak in a shower together.”
“Yes. That,” I say, pushing back the covers as Quinn just laughs at me.
We are both very thoroughly clean by the time we make our way downstairs for breakfast later that morning. It’s already nearing eleven o’clock and I am increasingly aware of the string of missed calls and text messages piling up on my phone.
