Page 22 of Love Notes and Late Nights
Tyler finally burst out laughing. “I like you! You’re fun.”
***
It was just after midnight, but Harris felt rejuvenated as he followed Wolf back to his house. He didn’t expect the invitation since it was pretty late to continue binge-watching a series, but as soon as Wolf asked him if he wanted to see a few episodes of Animal Kingdom, Harris couldn’t say yes fast enough.
“This is some view,” Harris commented, once he parked at the top of the hill outside the mansion, turning in a semi-circle to take in the glistening lights in the distance. “I love the beach, but I wouldn’t mind living here.” He had no idea why he said that or if it sounded out of line, and he immediately clamped his lips together.
Wolf gave him a crooked smile. “I’ll let you know if I’m ever in the market for a roommate.”
The idea made Harris’ heart quicken, and he wondered what it would be like living together.
Wolf tossed his keys into a bowl on a table near the front door, and Harris realized that Wolf’s home was much neater than his own. Other than an art magazine left on the couch and a laptop on the dining room table, nothing looked out of place. Harris, on the other hand, always had a discarded hoodie somewhere, dishes in the sink, and water shoes and tennis shoes haphazardly kicked off in the mud room. But he’d have no problem changing his habits if it meant he and Wolf could be together.
“Put on Netflix.” Wolf headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll get snacks. The remote is on the shelf under the TV.”
Of course, it was.
They settled down to watch the next episode with a big plate of cheesy nachos.
“Look!” Wolf pointed to the flatscreen. “They’re eating nachos too!”
“That’s cool. I love this show.” A little while later, the scene abruptly switched to a gay sex scene. Those two hot-as-fuck dudes were going at it—hard—and the nacho chip literally fellout of Harris’ mouth and onto the floor. His eyes were riveted to the TV as the main character pounded the hell out of his boyfriend in the back room of the bar. The grunts and moans, the perfect naked ass thrusting aggressively, and the erotic facial expressions, had Harris’ nether regions all tingly. Sadly, the scene ended way too quickly, and he was stuck sitting there with an erection. His gaze shifted to Wolf, who was staring at the TV with his mouth open.
Wolf’s eyes shifted to Harris’, his lips drew back into a wide smile, and he let out a short chortle. “I love this show too!” He wiped his forehead with a napkin as if overheated. “Did I thank you for recommending this series?”
Harris’ heart was racing, and his body was on fire. It was awkward and thrilling at the same time. “I think I need a cold shower.”
“I can take care of that.” Wolf picked up his water bottle and squirted it at Harris, hitting him directly in the face.
Harris jumped as the cold water dripped down his neck and chest with a shocking chill. “Fuck!”
Wolf laughed. “I bet you feel better now.”
Harris picked up his water bottle and returned the cold spritz, accidentally hitting Wolf in the eye. “Oh, shit.” He grunted a laugh. “Sorry. Are you—”
Another squirt of water landed directly in Harris’ ear.
“Fuck!” Laughing, Harris jumped up to create distance, water bottle poised and aimed at Wolf, but before he could squeeze the bottle, Wolf also jumped up and targeted his water bottle on Harris. The two of them faced off, Wolf with one eye squinted closed and Harris with his fingers pressed to his ear.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Wolf taunted. “Even with one eye, I got aim.”
“So do I.”
The two of them began to circle the coffee table, water bottles ready to fire, grinning like schoolboys.
Harris took the first hit straight in the face, water finding its way into his nose and mouth. “Fuck!” He chased Wolf, who ran and took refuge behind a floor lamp.
“Truce! Truce!” Wolf yelled, one hand raised in surrender.
“Really? Truce? After you practically waterboarded me?”
“Please accept my humble apology.” Harris brought his hands together, but the water bottle remained suspiciously between his palms.
Harris narrowed his eyes, but the playful smirk remained on his lips. “OK. Only because I don’t want you to get electrocuted. Disarm yourself.”
“You disarm yourself.”
“You have a shield. I’m out in the open.”
