Page 28 of Finally
“That was perfect.” Gray bent over and kissed Jack’s tear-stained cheek. “You’re perfect.”
His emotions too intense to articulate or manage, he flung his arms around Gray’s waist and clung.
Chapter 8
“Do you want to get dressed or should we order in for dinner?” Gray dragged his socked toe across the bottom of Jack’s foot.
After an emotionally intense connection in the bedroom, they had changed into their lounging clothes and then settled on the sectional sofa with their laptops, each of them stretched across one side of the L-shape with their feet meeting in the corner. Gray had spent the last half hour playing footsy and answering emails. Now they were going to eat dinner and then go to bed. It was the kind of evening he had always longed to spend with his favorite person and now his patience was being rewarded.
“The last thing I want to do is change out of this elastic waistband and go out into the world.”
“Fair.” Gray chuckled. “Since we’re already in stretchy pants, do you want pizza or are you thinking a healthier—”
Jack’s phone dinged, followed almost immediately by Gray’s.
“Must be a group text,” Jack said.
“Want to place a bet on who sent it?”
“Not unless you’re choosing someone other than Kevin.” Jack reached for his phone on the end table.
“That would be a sucker bet, and no one’s ever accused me of being sucker.” Gray picked up his own phone and then smirked as he looked down at it. “Or at least not that kind of sucker.”
“Nice.” Jack snorted and swiped on his screen. “Look at that. We both win.”
“From the sucking or is the text from Kevin, as predicted?” The humor left Gray’s body as he looked down at his own phone. “Does he mean tonight?”
Squinting at his screen, Jack said, “Looks that way. Eric’s birthday is on Monday. I ordered a London Fog cake from Deep Sea for him.”
“That was nice of you.” Nice and expected. Jack was the most thoughtful person Gray knew. “Birthdays are a predictable and annual event. Why is Kevin hosting a celebration for Eric’s birthday with literally no notice?”
“I don’t know.” Jack looked up at Gray. “But it’s very out of character. Kevin’s usually a planner.”
Their phones dinged again so they both looked back down. “Eric’s parents’ cancelled their travel plans and now we have to go to a party?” Gray knew he was whining, but he couldn’t rein in his frustration. He was already on edge because of Jack’s insecurities, for which he firmly held Jaime responsible. The last thing he wanted to do was spend time with Jack’s ex, which would be unavoidable because he had already given a thumbs-up to Kevin’s invitation in the group text.
“Oh, that’s right. His parents were supposed to visit this weekend.” Jack sighed and his lips turned down. “Eric was really looking forward to that. He must be so disappointed that they aren’t coming.”
Gray drew in a deep breath, more in an attempt to fill his body with patience than with air. “You want to go to Kevin’s? Even though it means putting on real clothes and braving the outside world?”
“I want to support Eric. His parents aren’t in great health. That’s probably why they aren’t coming.” Jack sighed and then sat up and put his feet on the floor. “I should probably take a shower.”
“The night’s looking back up.” Gray set his laptop on the couch and hopped up. “Let’s go.” He reached for Jack’s hand.
“You’re excited about going to a last-minute sort of party at Kevin’s house?” Jack asked skeptically as he took Gray’s hand and rose.
“Absolutely not. I’m excited about showering with you.”
Jack froze, blue eyes wide.
“Jack?” Gray gently laid his palm on Jack’s chest. “Breathe.”
It took a few beats, but Jack eventually opened his mouth and sucked in some air.
“Doing okay?” Gray asked.
“Yes.” The squeak indicated a different answer than the word, but Gray didn’t point that out. “Jesus.” Jack rubbed his forehead and rolled his eyes. “I’d apologize for acting like a teenager, but I doubt I was this much of a bumbling buffoon back then. Not that I can remember because it was a long time ago, so I’m both awkward and old.”
Gray laughed.
