My nose burrows into Keene’s hair as we lay in a mess of tangled sheets, sweaty limbs, and a mixture of our cum after one of the filthiest rounds of flip-fucking we’ve had yet. And over the past two months since he’s come back into my life, we’ve been doing a lot of it.
It’s been hours since he’s arrived after his last class of the week, daylight having long since faded into a cool autumn night. The breeze floats in from my open bedroom window, cooling the sweat lingering on my skin.
At this moment, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier or more content with the unexpected wrench life decided to toss at my plans. In fact, I’ve never been more grateful, especially when I have Keene tucked into my side, right where he belongs.
A lot more has happened since that day too. We’ve fallen into a new, comfortable routine with each other after all that time apart. One I wouldn’t trade for the world, seeing as it includes more sex than anyone could ever ask for and Keene spending pretty much every night at my apartment.
All the joys coupledom has to offer are completely at my disposal now, and though we’ve only just made this thing between us official, it’s hard to remember a time before what we have right now. A time when I wasn’t able to whisper three little words to him whenever I felt like it or hold his hand in the quad or kiss him when he brings me lunch at my architecture studio.
No one’s given us a second glance whenever we’re out in public together and sharing any form of PDA. Either they don’t notice, don’t care, or I’m out of ear-shot to hear if they have any sort of judgment to pass on us for being true to who we are and the person we love.
At this point, I’m more than happy to let Keene claim me as his in front of whoever he wants. Especially now that Avery’s gone from our lives for good. Don’t get me wrong, I would be fine with it if he was still around, but his ass getting booted from the baseball program and the school, thanks to the little stunt he pulled, is just the cherry on top.
I’d found this out during the forty-eight-hour period Keene and I spent doing nothing but fucking each other senseless and catching up on the few months we missed. And he told me the whole damn saga about Avery and Toppr and how that damn picture of us ended up on the scoreboard during the game.
In the end, I guess I should thank him for handing me the worst moment of my life on a silver platter and making me grow from it. Without that day happening, who knows where Keene and I would be right now.
And honestly, it’s a breath of fresh air, having everyone know about us. I’m so far past the point of caring about the persona I put out for the world to see the past few years we’ve been at Foltyn, detached and emotionally unavailable to anyone being the most prominent. Now, I’m just focusing on being the best version of me. Both for myself and for Keene.
It feels…exactly how it was meant to be.
Maybe that’s why I’m anxious for more. For him to be here all the time, not just sleeping over when he’s too tired to go home after sex. Which is an almost nightly occurrence as it is.
Considering where I was a few months ago, I think wanting more—wanting everything—with Keene can only be a good sign.
I shift beside him, my arm that’s slung over his waist moving up and down his side in a gentle caress as I press a kiss to his temple.
“Don’t you dare?” I murmur into the blond wisps.
While we usually take a more direct approach with what we want from each other now, we still toss in dares every once in a while. Keep the friendship alive along with the romance. Enjoy the banter and the innocent fun of getting under each other’s skin.
I especially love the sex dares, and God, if I don’t have quite a few planned for him when he’s gone for away series this coming season.
The smile in his voice is evident. “For you? Absolutely.”
Though I’ve phrased it as a dare, I don’t end up asking it as one. Mostly because…I want him to say yes to this because he wants it. The thought that he might say no sends a rush of anxiety through me that I quickly tamp down.
“Move in with me.”
Those four words I’ve been holding onto since the day he came back to me, offering forgiveness and a second chance, come tumbling from my lips before I can second guess them. After all, I’ve been hesitant to push this, knowing that he’s wanted to take things slower this time around. I can respect his desire to go that route this time, rather than just diving in off the deep end like before. That’s how things got messy and complicated.
So, like the good boyfriend I am—or at least, I’m trying to be—I agreed to those terms. But the new semester is just around the corner and…I don’t know if I can go another six months of not living with him all the time. I’m already miserable as hell whenever he shows up with a fucking duffle bag every week instead of just taking half of my walk-in closet.
He rolls his body so he’s half on top of me, those brown eyes wide as he searches my face. “What’d you just say?”
“You heard me.”
His tongue darts out over his bottom lip, a little nervous and a helluva lot sexy. “No, I’m not sure I did. You might need to repeat yourself a few more times.”
“Move in with me, Kee.” My hand comes up to cup his jaw. “You’re here all the time anyway. You spend every goddamn night here except maybe once a week,” I point out.
It’s not necessarily apprehension I see when his gaze roams over my face, but what concerns me is there’s no excitement anywhere to be seen. And that makes me worry. That maybe it’s too soon to be bringing this up after all, though it feels only natural at this point.
“Say something, baby,” I murmur. I sneak my fingers into the hair at the back of his head. “Please.”
He wets his lips again, searching my face. “You’re sure about this?”
“We’ll make sure to do it right this time.” I hook my finger under his chin and reel him in, pressing a kiss to his perfect lips. “You’ll be closer to the stadium and work-out facility too, which is great when the season starts.”
A convenience we’d known about when we picked the place together, knowing it was directly across from where Keene spends the majority of his spring semester. Of course, it’s on the clear opposite side of campus from most of his classes, but I choose to leave that part out.
“This is true,” he murmurs, a small smirk on his lips.
I nod. “And it’s not like we haven’t lived together for two years already. The added sex and snuggles are just a bonus.”
“Hmm. Yeah, but I already get that now. Without paying rent.”
By now, I can tell he’s just fucking with me, and that’s more than enough to know my worries about his answer were completely unnecessary. He’s just waiting for me to convince him some other way. I’m not really sure how to play along with this game of his…until an idea hits me. One I’ve thought about a few times over the past couple months, yet have been too chicken to do anything about.
“Well,” I say slowly, tracing the bow of his lips with my index finger. He snags it between his teeth, giving a light nip before releasing. “I could always sweeten the deal. Just for you.”
Heat flares in his eyes, and I see a hint of curiosity in them too.
Consider his interest piqued. “I’m listening.”
The corner of my mouth curves up and I wet my bottom lip. A movement he tracks without fail. “Do you remember that one conversation we had last spring? About…nude photo shoots?”
His eyebrows might as well shoot through the damn ceiling. “I remember.”
“I’m not saying this is a bribe, but…” I look around the bedroom we’re in from my spot in the queen bed. “You’ve seen that the lighting in here is really great in the morning.”
He nods slowly. “You’re right, I have noticed that.”
“Yeah, see? It would be the perfect time and place to get in some shots.” I lean forward, stealing a slow kiss from him. “And maybe a little pre-class cardio afterward.”
“You make a compelling argument, Kohl.”
“Mmm,” I murmur, kissing him again. “So what do you think? Convinced?”
He chuckles, his smile against my lips sending me to the damn moon. “Well, with an offer like that, how’s a guy supposed to say no?”
“That doesn’t sound like much of a yes, either, Waters.”
Laughter, the most decadent sound, spills from his lips and he gives me a devastating smile. “Of course I’ll move in with you. Weirdo. But I’m cashing in on that offer to shoot you naked the second all my shit is in this apartment.”
No part of me cares about giving up my safety from behind the camera. Not for Keene. So I just grin at him, feeling on top of the fucking world. “I knew you couldn’t resist me.”
His eyes roll. “Never in a million years.”
We both laugh then, and I pepper his face and lips with more kisses, a ridiculous amount of happiness radiating through me. How can I not be happy when I’m fortunate enough to call my best friend and roommate the love of my life?
Eventually he shoves me back, trying to get some air from the way I’m smothering the hell out of him, still smiling and laughing.
“When would I move in? I’m sure you already planned an exact date before I even—”
I chuck him in the shoulder playfully for making a dig at my plans before rolling him to his back. He knows as well as I do, my incessant need for planning has benefitted us more often than not.
And…also caused a lot of issues, but that’s besides the point.
“I was thinking in the spring, asshat. Gives us a little more time to make sure we’re in a good place. Still takes things at a slower pace.”
He nods in agreement, smiling up at me. “Yeah, and it gives our moms a little more time to adjust to the news.”
I smirk right back, and he reaches up, index finger poking at my dimple. “They could definitely use a little more time to get used to us being together.”
We kept the secret of us reconciling our friendship as well as starting dating from the two of them until just this past weekend. Truthfully, the only reason we decided it was time to let them in on what was going on with us was because Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We weren’t about to break the tradition of the Kohl and Waters’ families spending it together just because we wanted to keep our relationship to ourselves for a little longer.
Mom was thrilled when I told her. Of course, she was. I had no concerns when it came to her being accepting of me and Keene in a romantic sense. After all, she was the one who really put things in perspective for me.
It was when Keene and I walked into his house across the street later that afternoon that I thought I might lose my lunch. I knew Loraine was still upset about how I’d reacted at Family Night. Even more by how I treated Keene all summer. But the minute my hand slipped into his and I told her he’s my everything…I could tell she was just as happy for us as my mom was. And it was a huge weight off my shoulders the second her arms wrapped around me and said I’d better take care of him. Or else.
That’s all I’m trying to do now. Make good on that promise to her.
“I’m actually surprised you haven’t pushed for this sooner,” he admits.
I frown down at him. “Would you have done it if I’d asked sooner?”
He shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips as his fingers skate over my abs. And that little smirk is all the answer I need.
“When would you have said yes?” I ask, the tiniest bite in my tone.
Another shrug. “I mean, I probably would’ve said yes if you asked me that first day I came over.”
My eyes widen, and I gape down at him in disbelief. Like true, utter shock.
“You’re shitting me right now.”
He blinks at me innocently. “Not at all. After topping you for the first time? I’d have agreed to anything. You could’ve committed murder and I would’ve said cool babe, where we hiding the body?”
My frown deepens. “You’re my best friend. You’re supposed to say that anyway.”
His mouth parts slightly, ready to come back at me with some smartass comment…only for him to nod in concession. “Touché, Kohl. Tou-fucking-ché.”
“Also, can we just recall the fact that you’re the one who asked to take things slow? And now you’re telling me I could’ve had you here every waking hour of the day that you weren’t in class two months ago?” When he just shrugs yet again, I let out a huff of indignation. “I literally hate you sometimes.”
“Should’ve asked, dude. Not my fault. I didn’t realize you’d become all clingy and shit after taking your little journey of self-discovery.”
“It was soul searching,” I retort. “And it’s not my fault either.”
His brows raise slightly, as if to say really?
I give him a sheepish grin. “I mean, can you blame me?”
“Well, no. Like you, I’m also pretty damn irresistible.”
“Exactly. So sue me for wanting you here with me. All the time.” I lean down, my tongue licking at the seam of his lips. “In my bed. In the kitchen. On the couch.”
“Basically what I’m hearing is that you just want a live-in booty call.”
“Oh, absolutely.” My hips roll down into his as if to prove a point, and I’m elated to find him hard again. “You should be so lucky I chose you for the job.”
His eyes slam closed as he arches up, grinding against me in return. “Then you should be so lucky I accept.”
I take his mouth with mine to keep from disagreeing with him. If anyone should be feeling like the luckiest person alive right now, it’s me. Because he’s giving me another chance to love him, whether or not I actually deserve it.
I’m gonna make sure I earn it, though. I have to.
He’s my other half.
My unexpected inevitable.
My fucking everything.
