Chapter Eleven
Kason
“I still can’t believe you had a boyfriend who didn’t know you were boyfriends. No offense, bro, but that sounds like something I would do,” Rylan says as we sit beside each other on the flight back to LA.
It’s been a long week away—our bye week getting closer—but we’re on a winning streak now, so I can’t complain.
It’s been a whirlwind in other ways too as I’ve fielded questions about my love life and what it means to me to date a member of the Jilted Exes’ Club.
The world is filled with so many trash human beings.
I don’t get how they go through life lacking empathy for others, but I’ve done my best to avoid answering, while stressing to them that my private life is off-limits.
I have no idea if it’s working or why people care so much, but then they only care because of Anthony’s backstory, and that pisses me off.
My parents and sister have both hit me up too—Court having known I was interested in Anthony, but all of them wanting to check in with me as I’ve never dealt with something like this before.
“No offense taken. It does sound like something you would do. I’m usually much smarter than that.”
He laughs and nudges me with his arm. “How’s Anthony taking it all?”
I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. “I don’t know.
Okay, I guess? Most of the time he plays it off as if it doesn’t matter.
He hasn’t had problems with photographers being outside his apartment or Lush, but we don’t know if that’s because I’m gone and they know there won’t be a chance to see us together, or if they’re already getting bored.
” I’m hoping for the latter, obviously. “I don’t want dating me to bring up bad memories for him. ”
“Honestly? There’s no way it can’t. It was hard on Hayes in the beginning—still is. I don’t think any of us can understand what they went through. All you can do is show him you’re not like Malcolm and how worthy of someone better he is. Do you know anyone like that?”
“Ha-ha, asshole.” I give him the finger, something Rylan earns a lot from me.
“I’m giving you shit. This is actually kinda perfect—besties dating besties! We’re going to do everything together all the time now!”
“Please no.”
“Aw, come on. It’ll be fun. My neighbors are thinking of selling. You and Anthony can move next door, and we’d have to find a way to get Eric and Donovan into the neighborhood, but you know me, when I set my mind to something, I get what I want.”
I laugh. “You’re getting ahead of yourself.
This is the guy who had no clue we were dating and had to come around to the idea after he found out.
” Which honestly sucks. I would never want Anthony to be doing this with me if it’s not something he wants.
I keep reminding myself it was the fear that held him back.
“Yeah, well, you’re awesome, Madsies. Ant sees that. It’s the other shit getting in his head. But he couldn’t have picked someone better to get back on the horse with. He went from the worst guy in the world to one of the best.”
“One of?” I tease.
“Obviously, I’m number one.”
“Obviously,” I play along.
We chat for a while longer, then try to nap. I can’t sleep, so I listen to meditative music and try to relax.
Anthony and I have talked every day I’ve been away.
Like before, we texted off and on throughout the day, and some of the evenings I ended up calling him.
Rylan sleeps like the dead, so it didn’t keep him awake.
Sometimes we’d speak fairly late, when Anthony got off work at Lush or when we simply didn’t run out of things to say.
I like having conversations with him, like his sense of humor and how passionate he is about so much.
But I also want to make sure he sees that it’s him I want to get to know.
Him as a whole that I’m interested in, and though we’ve introduced sex into the mix, me just liking to spend time with Anthony isn’t going to change.
It’s late when we land in LA, so I head straight home and go to bed.
I’ve always been an early riser, so I don’t sleep in. Like our day at the beach, I wait until about ten to message Anthony.
Me: I know a really great brunch spot.
I’m surprised when the bubbles pop up right away.
Anthony: Brunch, huh? An integral part of the queer agenda.
Chuckling, I hit the button to call him.
“Wait. Whoa. Is talking on the phone when we’re in the same city a thing people do when dating? I thought that was reserved for when someone is out of town.” His voice is rough, husky, like he just woke up.
“Maybe it’s not something other people do, but you clearly have a lot to learn when it comes to dating me…or us dating. We do this because we genuinely like talking to each other.”
“So is there like a Dating Kason Maddox pamphlet I should know about? I didn’t even get a chance to study.”
“No. I just make up the rules as I go along. You can make up some too. If you really don’t want to talk on the phone, tell me.
If not, I’ll assume you’re dying to hear my voice as much as I crave hearing yours.
” I’m being playful, enjoying our banter, but when he doesn’t respond right away, I start to worry my joking hit wrong or that he feels like I’m trying to push him into something.
Just as I open my mouth to apologize, he says, “I see what you did there. Fishing for a compliment while also dishing one out to me. You’re very good at this, Flirty Boy.”
“How many infinity points did that earn?”
“I’ve been thinking about this. Do infinity points even make sense? Aren’t they all worth infinity?”
“They do for us. I mean, there’s a difference between one infinity point and ten.”
“Pretty sure that’s not how it works, but I’ll give you a pass because you’re cute. Instead of going out to brunch, why don’t you come here? Or I could come to yours if you want.”
I definitely don’t mind hanging out at one of our places, but I also want to take him out.
I want to make sure he knows I never want to keep him hidden the way Malcolm did, that I don’t care what any of the headlines say or what anyone thinks.
At the same time, it’s important he feels comfortable.
It might take him a while before he’s ready to go out.
“Sure. Do you want to come here? Can’t beat brunch and mountain views.” While most of the team lives in the South Bay area, I’m in Pacific Palisades. I love being tucked between the ocean and the mountains, two of my favorite things.
“Okay. Are you sure? If you’re tired from traveling or—”
“I’m sure, Ant. I don’t say things unless I mean them. If I didn’t want to spend time with you, I wouldn’t have asked. You can count on me to say what I mean.”
There’s a short pause and then, “Yeah, okay. Let me shower, and then I’ll head that way.”
“I’ll text you my address.” Anthony’s apartment is only about fifteen miles from me, but the drive will take at least forty-five minutes.
That’s one of the only downsides about living in LA, but still, I love it.
I’ll spend my whole career here if I can, and if a trade ever happens, I know I’ll land back here after retirement.
Wisconsin will always be my home, but LA has become my heart.
I’ve come into my own here, learned more about who I am and what I want.
I go ahead and shower too, take my vitamins, throw on athletic pants, a T-shirt, and a backward cap, then go into my kitchen to see what I can make for us.
I settle on omelets but don’t start anything yet in case Anthony hits traffic or takes longer than expected.
I straighten up the house a little, finding things to do to kill time until the app on my phone alerts me someone is on my porch before Anthony even rings the bell.
I haven’t had any overly excited fans find my house or anything like that, but I like my privacy, like knowing I’m protected out here.
The bell rings when I’m partway to the door, a ridiculous smile on my face. When was the last time I enjoyed someone so much? The last time I looked forward to seeing another person? I can’t pinpoint what it is about Anthony that hits differently, but there is no denying the feeling is there.
He gives me an unsure grin when our eyes lock. He’s wearing a tight pair of jeans, a purple V-neck, and has eyeliner on the lower lid, something I’ve never seen him do before, but it definitely makes my dick twitch.
He tosses a quick look over his shoulder, shifting from one foot to the other.
“Any issues?” I stand aside so he can come in. “My neighbors are pretty good about keeping an eye out for photographers or anything and letting me know.”
“No, no. I didn’t see anything.”
But it’s clear he’s afraid he will. It makes my gut twist that he’s so nervous about being seen together, that he’s got reason to fear being in the public eye.
I close the door behind him, wrap my hand around his wrist, and tug him closer. “Hey, are you sure this is okay? Dating me?” I try not to hold my breath as I wait for his reply.
“Why? Do you not want to date anymore?”
“What? No. I want to date. I’m basically obsessed with the idea of dating you.”
He smiles, trying to hide it by firming the lines of his lips, but I can see what he’s doing.
“You really do like that…when I tell you how much I like you, want you, how good you are.” I kiss the corner of his mouth.
“I want to date you.” The other corner. “To show you off.” The center of his lips.
“You’re so fucking sexy, Ant. Still a little shy, even if you don’t see it.
” Another kiss. “I’m going to keep telling you how much I want you until you believe me. ”
And I like telling him. It makes me feel good to make him feel good. Which tracks, that’s who I am, but it’s ramped up when it comes to Anthony, this natural high I get from building him up. I want to explore it more, get my pleasure by pleasuring him physically and emotionally.