Chapter 34 Hanlon
Hanlon
It’s been six weeks since our parents’ visit, and we still haven’t heard a single word from either of them. My mom was far more upset than James, but he didn’t attempt to hide his disapproval either. They didn’t even hug us goodbye.
I’ve wanted to send a text asking to talk, but Stone reminded me that we don’t owe them anything. I hate being at odds with them, though. It just makes a constant low hum of stress in the background of my life.
Knowing I shouldn’t let their opinion detract from my happiness doesn’t change the fact that it does.
“Come here, Skittles,” Stone says, holding his arms out for me to crawl into.
It was a long day. There have been four backcountry rescues already this week, and it’s only Tuesday.
I’ve been testing on the mountain multiple times a day in various places to help ensure our blasting schedule is effective, as an unseasonably warm February threatens to weaken the snowpack further.
Today was pretty awesome because Jeremy asked for my opinion on a few things, and when he changed his report to reflect my insight, I felt a huge surge of pride…which quickly turned into arousal when I looked at Stone.
There was nothing but heat in his eyes as he bit his lower lip and nodded his approval.
Now, we’re stretched out along the couch, the TV playing quietly in the background, as he holds me when my phone goes off.
My heart rate kicks up, thinking it’s finally our parents, but it’s just Chase.
Chase
Sup, bro? It’s been a minute. Ran into your mom today. She totally ignored me when I asked about you. What’s that all about? Anyway, campus is lame without you, but the break from the gym has been nice. Hope your dickwad of a brother is treating you alright. Hit me back.
Stone huffs, clearly reading over my shoulder.
“I hate that guy,” he pouts.
“Because he called you a dickwad?” I clarify?
“No, because when you first got here, you told me he touches your cock all the time.”
Oh. That.
“He’s straight,” I remind Stone.
“So are a lot of girls, but I don’t want them touching your dick, either.”
Valid point.
I flip the camera around and hold the phone out, smiling as I take a selfie with my head on Stone’s chest.
“Can I send it?” I ask, not wanting to keep my feelings for Stone a secret any longer. Our parents have already cut us off. If we lose them and still have to hide, what was the point?
Stone nods and kisses the top of my head. “Yeah, you can send it.”
Not even three seconds after I hit the blue Send button do I have an incoming FaceTime call. I try to sit up and take it in another room, but Stone’s arms tighten around my torso.
“Answer it here. Cat’s already out of the bag. Maybe this way he’ll leave your dick alone.”
I snort a laugh as I swipe my finger across the screen to answer the call.
“Hey, Chase. It’s good to see yo—”
“Dude, are you okay? Did you fall? Is he holding you hostage?”
I angle the phone so Chase can see Stone’s unamused face as Stone answers him.
“Yeah, Matthews,” Stone says, addressing Chase by his last name. “I’m holding him hostage, but letting him send smiling selfies against my chest to fool everyone.”
I snort and put my face back in the camera.
“Chase, Stone and I…uh…” Now that I have to say it out loud, I’m a little nervous. What if he reacts just like Mom and Dad?
Stone pulls the phone back toward himself and simply says, “We’re dating.”
Chase’s eyes go wide. “The hell did you just say? Oh. I’m being punked, right? That was good. You guys almost got me there for a second.”
Finally finding my voice, I add, “Look, we know most people are going to find it fucked up, and my mom ignored your question about me because she and Dad are both currently pretending like we don’t exist. But it’s real, it happened, and honestly? I’ve never been happier.”
“When you say it happened…” he trails off, his eyes narrowing before he lowers his voice. “…you mean…you fucked him?”
I bury my face in Stone’s chest with a groan while Stone answers.
“That’s exactly what he means.”
“Oh…uh, okay. I mean, that’s cool,” Chase rambles. “I’m like, not going to disown you or anything, but I’ve got questions.”
I chuckle. Chase’s questions could range anywhere from Does he wear boxers or briefs to How big is his dick to Can I see?
“Well, get to asking. There’s no time like the present,” I say, readjusting to a sitting position to get comfortable while holding the phone.
“Okay, first: do your friends ski for free?”
“What?” I just told him I’m fucking my stepbrother, and he wants to know if I can get free lift tickets?
“Like, if I come out there, can I ski Ricochet Ridge for free? Lift tickets are fucking expensive, man.”
“Chase, I just told you Stone and I are sleeping together, and you want to know about lift tickets?” I ask incredulously.
“Uh, yeah?”
Stone laughs. “I take back what I said earlier. I love this guy.” He leans back into the frame. “Yeah, Chase. If you come out here, you can ski for free,” Stone says, surprising the hell out of me.
“Cool, cool. What about lodging?” he asks next, making me shoot a glance at Stone, who just shrugs.
“You can stay with us if you want, but you should know Hanlon isn’t particularly quiet when he comes.”
I shove Stone’s shoulder, pushing him out of the frame. “Fuck’s sake, man.”
Chase laughs, “Dude, I’ve shared a dorm suite with him for four years. You aren’t telling me anything I don’t already know. Hell, I’ve probably seen Hanlon’s dick more than you have.”
Beside me, a low, possessive rumble of jealousy emanates from Stone’s chest. He stands up and grabs my hand, yanking me off the couch with him.
“I’m going to remedy that right now.”
Stone pulls me down the hallway while I try to finish my conversation.
“Send me the dates you want to come out, and we’ll take care of the rest!” I’m actually really excited to see Chase, even if it’s just for a long weekend.
Stone ends the call for me and practically throws me onto the bed. His fingers hook into the waistband of my pants, and he starts pulling them down as he talks.
“I’m actually really surprised he took that so well, and it gives me hope that there are some people in our lives that don’t give a shit that we grew up together…but if that man ever suggests that he’s seen your dick more than me again, I will not hesitate to punch him in the face.”
“Down, boy,” I tease, running my hands over Stone’s biceps before trying to pull his shirt over his head. “It doesn’t matter what he sees. I only see you.”
“It matters when what he’s ogling belongs to me,” Stone fires back, throwing my pants and boxers on the floor.
“I belong to you, huh?” I ask, liking the sound of that.
“Every. Fucking. Inch.” He punctuates the sentence by flicking his tongue across my piercing. I think he likes it even more than I do.
Lacing my fingers together behind my head, I settle back to enjoy the show.
“Then by all means, use me for your pleasure.”