Chapter 6 - Nick
Nick knew better.
The whole reason he’d never fucked Reece was precisely because he knew better.
Ever since he’d wound up in Declan’s closet with Reece, with those baby blue eyes watching him so curiously and pleadingly—Nick wanted to.
Reece captured his interest even before then, though.
That star-struck look in Reece’s eyes when he watched Nick play ball had gotten him first. It was always those eyes, the honesty in their expressiveness.
And when Reece had been begging to be kissed with those eyes, Nick hadn’t been strong enough not to.
Not when he’d wanted it as badly as Reece had seemed to. Maybe even more.
Nick didn’t regret that first kiss, but hated that he was still caught up on it after all these years. They were just friends. Nick didn’t want to date anyone, especially not one of his best friends. Not even Reece.
At least, that’s what Nick kept telling himself, knowing he’d never be able to kiss Reece without it meaning something.
Having sex with him was supposed to be off limits too—something Nick had been wanting for years and yet denying himself because he knew how it would go.
He’d never be able to stop and they had too much history for shit not to get complicated.
Nick stopped fighting though, had given in and taken Reece, and it was undeniably the best night of his life.
It was the most selfish thing he’d ever done.
He hated how good it was, how he kept thinking about it—kept seeing Reece bare before him.
Kept hearing him moan his pleasure. Kept remembering how it felt to be inside him, knowing nothing had or ever would compare to it.
He hadn’t kissed Reece—wouldn’t dare to do that again, not even with those eyes and lips begging for it, but he still crossed the fucking line.
It had been almost two weeks since the graduation party.
Two weeks since Nick laid eyes on Reece.
They’d both been busy, moving out of their dorms and into new apartments.
Reece was working, and Nick was getting ready for the training camp he’d be attending with Declan and Alex in L.A.
soon. Even though they’d been busy preparing for their futures and Nick had been preoccupied most of the time, he couldn’t forget what happened between him and Reece.
He tried to forget. Tried to get those memories tucked away somewhere in the back of his mind. It wasn’t working. Nick was grateful that nothing else happened—that he hadn’t heard from Reece—but then Alex invited him for a game at the park, reminding him that he hadn’t shown up the week before.
The Seaside Palms courts weren’t the same old courts they’d been back when they were kids.
Nick and Declan both had a hand in upgrading everything.
There was fencing now, so no stray balls could go flying toward any passersby.
New hoops and resurfacing. The paint still looked fresh and there were benches surrounding the court now, adding seating for players and spectators alike.
The place got surprisingly quiet in the evenings, but even when the park was full and lively, it was a place of comfort for them.
Nick had a lot of memories there—good and bad—and sometimes he had a feeling of guilt and even a sense of lonesomeness when he thought of leaving it all behind.
Nick regretted getting in his head and even missing a single week.
He never got to play with Reece enough anymore and knew things would never be the same.
Reece’s injury taking that away from them was a reality Nick still hadn’t fully accepted.
It only made him appreciate their ball days more, and wonder when would be their last.
Reece was already playing around with Declan and Alex by the time Nick arrived, his blond bangs tied up on top of his head.
When Reece looked at him, he just grinned and waved, as if Nick hadn’t absolutely destroyed him the last time they were together, and Nick wondered if he’d been worried over nothing.
So he didn’t feel guilty one bit when his eyes lingered—when his mind began stripping away the loose t-shirt Reece wore, and then his shorts.
Hairless. Reece had the kind of skin most people envied, unblemished and smooth, but Nick had been taken aback to find that Reece’s skin was almost unnaturally soft.
Almost as if he didn’t grow hair below his waist at all.
It wasn’t like being shaved. Nick didn’t know what to make of it—but he knew he liked it.
He liked it a lot. Reece smelled damn good and looked good enough to eat.
Nick had wanted to eat him—not out of obligation or necessity, but out of his own desire.
He wanted to see how receptive Reece was to his tongue, but he never got his chance.
Nick didn’t realize he was staring at Reece’s ass until Alex stepped into his line of sight, obsidian eyes blinking up at him in that stoic yet knowing way of his.
“What the fu—”
“Everything okay? You seem distracted…”
“Give me a break, Shorty,” Nick scoffed, taking the ball out of Alex’s hands and spinning it on his finger. “Y’all ready to play or what?”
They played until dark, then walked the strip until they picked where they wanted to eat for the night.
Nick had a lot on his mind, but he was eating happily as they all talked about any and everything.
He was stealing from Declan’s plate too, just to rile him up.
Declan wasn’t fighting back enough for Nick’s liking, too docile after a great day of playing.
They talked about the upcoming training camp. Reece appeared happy to support everyone and content with his decision to pursue a career in modeling over basketball.
“Truth is, my ankle still bothers me. Trying to go pro would only make it worse. It’s not fair to my body. Besides, I’d rather just play for fun now and then, and be here to support you guys.”
Nick knew Reece was genuine about what he said, but he also knew how much fun Reece had when playing.
Knew how amazing he was, too. And that selfish part of him still wished Reece would still be by his side, playing for much longer.
Modeling suited Reece well though—he was made to be appreciated.
Apparently. Since Nick’s gaze kept drifting back to him.
He got away with it several times, but eventually was caught, Reece’s teeth flashing with a broad smile when he found Nick’s eyes on him. Nick just hoped Reece wouldn’t get the wrong idea.
Did Nick want to fuck him again? Absolutely.
Would there ever be anything more between them than that? No. Nick just couldn’t do it. He didn’t have it in him. He didn’t want to hurt Reece.
Dinner ran long. They went for ice cream after, just like they used to, and yet this time, Nick couldn’t prevent his eyes from zeroing in on Reece’s mouth, on the tongue that curled around the sweet treat innocently. Nick wanted that mouth on his cock—wanted his mouth on Reece, too.
“Something on your mind?”
Those words and the way Reece licked along his lips were Nick’s undoing.
He didn’t answer, but some unspoken agreement formed between them, and half an hour later, they were in Reece’s new apartment, stripping across from one another.
Nick was glad his body moved on its own, getting rid of his shirt first before his shorts hit the floor, because Reece had him transfixed.
Reece was right in front of him, first exposing his torso, all smooth skin and a tiny waist. Toned and strong and yet even softer than he managed to appear.
Nick hadn’t forgotten. Only when he flexed did his abs show, and even then the movement was unintentional, Reece bending down to remove his own pants until he stood there, naked and pretty as ever.
“Shower,” Reece said, his breathless tone and wandering eyes making Nick hotter.
Nick had Reece pinned against the cold, navy blue tiles of his shower moments later, the water pouring down on them before it even warmed properly.
Those long legs were locked around Nick’s waist and Nick’s mouth was on Reece’s left ear, teasing the lobe and silver hoop there.
He almost kissed Reece. When they were chest to chest and Reece’s eyes were on him, sparkling like sprinkled snow over a spring blue, and those lips were parted and begging to be kissed.
Fucking Reece was already crossing a line, kissing him was far too dangerous.
One chaste kiss before had been enough to ruin him. Kissing those soft lips, tasting Reece in that way, was too great a risk for Nick.
Because he was fucking weak.
He wasn’t disappointed though, not with the way Reece moaned from having his ear teased.
Reece was hard and grinding into him as if he couldn’t be still for even a second.
If Nick could’ve taken him without any prep, he would’ve, because he wanted to be inside Reece just that bad.
He was aching for it, had been ever since the first time.
He wanted another round. Sober. Wanted Reece longer.
Wanted to do all the things he realized he hadn’t gotten to do the first time.
One time wasn’t enough. Maybe two times wouldn’t be either.
“Nicky,” Reece said, one hand limply rubbing the back of Nick’s neck. “The soap.”
Nick grabbed the soap and handed it over, lips leaving Reece’s ear to trail down his throat instead. He scraped his teeth over Reece’s racing pulse, then bit him on the shoulder.
“Ow! Don’t bite… you’ll leave a mark.”
“So?” Nick’s lips latched onto his throat and sucked hard, quick enough that Reece couldn’t react until it was over, harsh enough to draw the blood to the skin like Nick wanted.
Reece gasped, the soap in his hand that rested over Nick’s shoulder slipping out and hitting the shower floor. “That’s your fault.”
The water suddenly felt too hot as Nick lifted his head, Reece’s soapy hand rubbing down his shoulder and chest. “You’re the one that dropped it.”