Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
ELI
Oh my God, Wren needed to tone this down.
I glanced at Darren and the hardness in his gaze.
He was getting increasingly pissed with each question Wren had fired off about his finances.
Plus, Wren had knocked back too many drinks for this conversation.
“Hey, this was a very enjoyable dinner, but we need to head home.” Grabbing Wren’s elbow, I rose.
I wouldn’t let him shut me down again. “Come on, let’s say our goodbyes. ”
Wren flashed a glare at me and pursed his lips. “Yeah, okay.” He stood next to me, downed the rest of his drink and then faced his father. “Thank you for having us. I…hope we can see each other again soon.”
“Yes, of course. Maybe we can have dinner regularly.” His father strode to the sliding glass door and opened it. “After you.”
“Come on.” With my hand on Wren’s lower back, I guided him inside and into the kitchen. “Karen, the meal was fantastic. It was so nice to meet you.”
She twisted at the sink, her lips twitching into a grin. “You’re very welcome. It was nice to meet you as well.” Her gaze swiped to Wren. “Take care of yourself, Wren.”
“I will.” He set his empty glass on the counter and gave her a side hug, patting her on the back. “Thanks.”
With a nod at her, I focused on Darren, ambling past the kitchen. “Come on, boys, I’ll see you out.”
As I peeked at Wren, I said, “Let’s go.” Snatching his hand, I led him through the hallway and into the front room. I’d never seen a family so tense and in need of therapy. There were obviously years of buried animosity between Wren, his father and Karen. No wonder he’d needed me here.
We approached the front door, and Darren swung it open. “I’ll be in touch, son.” He gave Wren a swift hug and then shook my hand. “It was very nice to meet you, Eli. I’ll watch the games when I get a chance.” He offered me a warm grin.
“I hope so.” Lifting his chin, Wren strutted through the door.
He had to say it. “Goodnight.” I strode after Wren. “Hey, slow down.” As I caught up with him, I seized his hand. “Slow down. You’re practically running from the house.”
“I need to leave, Eli.” He stopped at my truck and flung the door open. “Just get me out of here.”
“Okay.” I jogged to the driver’s side of the truck and climbed in.
With a peek at the house, I started the engine.
The door was closed, so hopefully his father hadn’t heard Wren.
As I drove onto the street, I said, “What the hell happened in there?” It had been tense during dinner, but then I’d thought it would settle when he headed to the patio.
“Dear old dad is hiding something from me. I don’t know what, but I’ll get to the bottom of it.
” He scoffed and shifted in his seat, his gaze swinging toward the window.
“Think about it. My dad withheld news of Karen’s pregnancy until last week, and the woman is ready to pop.
They’ve known about the pregnancy for months. ”
“Okay.” I turned the corner onto a major boulevard, the streetlight illuminating Palo Verde trees and cactus on the sides of the road with the occasional saguaro. He had a point.
“And they didn’t move into that house recently. It was fully furnished, and there were no boxes lying around. Do you think a pregnant woman wants to move right before she gives birth?” He shot me a pointed look. “They’ve lived there for a few months.”
“So, maybe they needed time to settle in before having you over?” I’d play devil’s advocate. Maybe I could get him to relax. I drove us onto the freeway.
“Or maybe there’s a reason Dad wants to renew our relationship, and it has nothing to do with him moving here.” He clenched his jaw as he peered through the windshield.
“Like what?” I changed lanes. I needed to get him home.
“I don’t know, but I have a sneaking suspicion it’s money-related.” He choked back a laugh. “The fucker was such a miser with my mother, and now look at how he lives with Karen?”
I patted Wren’s thigh. “This isn’t good for you, Wren. You’ve had a lot to drink, and you might draw conclusions that aren’t there. Maybe you could talk to your mom about the situation. She might know things you don’t.”
His throat dipped with a hard swallow, and his gaze fell to his lap. “Yeah, you’re right. I just don’t trust my father after everything that’s happened.” He placed his hand on mine. “Let’s drop it for now. I’ll call my mom and see what she says.”
“Good.” I checked my speed. I’d been over the limit and should slow down.
We arrived at my house. I parked in the driveway, and my attention drew to Wren. He’d been quiet for the rest of the way home. “Do you want to come in?” A soft glow spilled from the front window. The guys were probably asleep and had left a light on for me.
With a slow nod, he said. “Could I?” His gaze found mine, and his brows wrinkled. “I could use some time alone with you tonight.”
Did that mean? Hell yes. I’d been a little afraid he’d be too upset to do anything. “Sure.” I stepped out of the truck and met him on the sidewalk. “You should drink some water so that your hangover isn’t as bad tomorrow.” I opened the door for us and walked inside.
“Good idea.” He scanned the room. “Is everyone in bed already?”
“Probably or studying in their rooms.” I strolled to the refrigerator and grabbed two bottled waters. “Come on.” As I handed him a water, I strode through the hallway to my room and then shut the door behind me, flicking the nightstand light on from the switch on the wall.
He stepped to my dark wood dresser and ran his hand along it. “This is the same furniture you had in high school.” His gaze darted to the bed. “But the bed is bigger.”
“Yeah, I got a new one. I grew out of a single bed.” With a soft snigger, I walked toward him.
His breath hitched, and he strode to the far end of the dresser, where the photo of my parents rested, and— “You still have this?” He slipped the silver bracelet off the frame and held it up, his eyes glistening in the low light, his lower lip trembling.
“I, uh, do.” I’d almost forgotten it was there. As an ache flickered across my heart, I set my bottle on the dresser and wound my arms around his shoulders, pulling him against my chest.
In a small, ragged voice, he said, “Why?” He sniffled.
Brushing my cheek along the top of his hair, I said, “Because I never forgot you, Wren. It served as my reminder of what I lost and that I needed to be a better man.” As my eyes stung, I held him tighter.
I’d never stopped loving him. Was now the time to say it?
But he’d been through so much tonight already.
“Jesus.” He freed a soft sob and held his breath, hooking his arms around my waist. “Eli, I didn’t know how much it affected you.”
“Yeah, well, you could say it gave me the determination to live my truth.” I kissed his head. “Wren, you changed me and you’re still changing me. I’m a better man with you beside me.”
As he lifted his head, the light glimmered on the wetness in his lashes. “I’m falling for you, Eli, all over again. I can’t stop it. You’re like a freight train barreling into my heart.” A slow smirk teased his lips.
“Okay, I know you’re a little drunk if you’re making analogies like that, but I’ll take it.” As my lips brushed his, I said, “I’m falling for you too.” Okay, I’d already fallen, but this was enough. I crushed his lips with mine in a heated kiss.
As he groaned inside our kiss, he skimmed his hands to my ass and squeezed, pressing our hardening cocks against each other, his tongue swiping across mine.
Breaking the kiss, he said, “I want you to fuck me tonight, like you used to. Fuck this night out of me, so I can’t remember anything but you. ”
Shit, we hadn’t talked condoms. “I’m, uh, I’m on PrEP. You?” I released him.
“Same and I just had a physical before returning to school. No condoms needed.” He swiped his eyes. “Unless you still want to.”
“Oh, hell no. I got tested before the season and I haven’t, uh.” Shit, I should stop. “No condoms needed.” Way to fuck up the moment, Eli.
“Wait.” With another sniffle, he held the bracelet in both hands. “Give me your wrist.”
I raised my arm and swallowed hard. Did this mean he was ready for boyfriend status? “Wren…”
“Eli, only my boyfriend gets to wear this.” He clasped it around my wrist as his soft gaze met mine. “Will you be my boyfriend again?”
“You know I will.” As emotion bloomed in my heart, I grabbed his nape and pressed a hard kiss on his lips, full of all the years of hoping against hope for this moment, the years of loss and regret. Holy fuck, I finally had him, and I’d fight so nothing broke us apart again.
As the kiss turned hungry, I swung him around and backed him to my bed, my mouth devouring his, my cock hard and hot inside my briefs. I would finally have him. I couldn't care less about getting up early for practice.
As he fell onto my bed on his back, propped onto his elbows, I crawled over him and between his legs. “Wren, I’ve been waiting for this.” Wetting my lips, I unfastened his jeans and freed his thick cock, already leaking precum. My mouth watered, and I peeked at his face.
Pulling a quick breath, he slipped his lower lip between his teeth, his pupils blown and cheeks flushed.
“You're so fucking beautiful, Wren.” As I wrapped my hand around the base of his cock, I lowered and then sucked the crown into my mouth, fluttering my tongue around the tip.
“Oh, fuck.” He dropped his shoulders onto the bed and seized my hair, yanking it. “Yes, babe, that’s it.”
He called me babe. Finally. As his dick twitched against my tongue, I devoured him, his tip meeting the back of my throat, and I moaned. He tasted so good. Everything was better knowing he was falling for me.
Rocking his hips, he thrust into my mouth while pushing on my head. Ragged groans freed from his throat as he writhed below me.
I wanted more. Pulling off of him with a slurp, I rolled away. I needed skin to skin. “Get undressed.”