18. Chapter 18
TRISTAN
“I can’t believe that Rain almost died in that fire!” Tristan wiped a tear from his cheek, sniffling.
Originally, Rain had told Tristan that he’d been evacuated with everyone else during The Pointe’s fire, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Apparently, Eve’s first visit to the wedding hall had been the same day as the fire, and Rain had been so traumatized that he’d hidden from everyone, ignoring the alarms and eventually needing to jump from the second-floor window.
Tristan understood why Rain hadn’t told him until now, because he’d practically had a heart attack after that confession, needing a couple of minutes to sit down and many hugs.
Once he’d collected himself, Jax’s mother wanted a word with him; however, Jax had only allowed them a short conversation before dragging Tristan to his car.
“But he didn’t die.” Jax patted Tristan’s leg as they waited at a traffic light. “And as corny as it sounds, The Pointe banded together to save him, just like they did for us.”
“That’s true. And I know Rain kept that from me out of good intentions…” Tristan paused, pressing his lips together in thought before sniffling again. “But it made me feel like garbage. And I did the same thing to you. I’m sorry.”
“You’re fired,” Jax pointed at him. “Hey, at least my mom likes you.”
“I don’t think so.” The light changed to green and Tristan made a left turn. “Not with the way she stared at me. ”
“She didn’t punch you or yell at you, right?” Jax chuckled.
“No, but I felt like I was being interrogated by the FBI.” She’d hit him with question after question, mostly about when and where he was born, his education, what jobs he’d had, where he lived, and if he had any other crazy exes.
Tristan had somehow managed to stammer out answers to each, but Jax had pulled him away before he got to the last one, getting into a quick shouting match with her before they left.
“Don’t worry, she’ll come around.” Jax didn’t seem upset about it, so they probably argued like that a lot.
“Our mothers are so different,” Tristan murmured.
“What’s your mom like?” Jax asked, his voice sounding just as tired.
“Warm, steady, quiet. She always wants to hear both sides of the story and lead with empathy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her angry.
” And she’d raised Tristan to be the same, but over the last few months, he’d modified her lessons.
Now, he could simultaneously stand up for himself and hold onto his serenity; in fact, he might be able to grasp it even more tightly with boundaries and the strength to defend them.
“Wow, yeah, my mother is the exact opposite of that,” Jax chuckled again. “I know where I get it from.”
“But like me, you’re working to overcome your upbringing. And you’re doing so well.” Tristan had to admit, when he saw Eve lunge for Jax, something primal rose up within him, and he didn’t think he could move that fast.
Once he’d taken the punch, he’d worried that Jax would retaliate, because he could’ve only stopped one of them.
Surprisingly, Jax had stayed level-headed and downright wise tonight, while Tristan had been the emotional one, venting his built-up rage.
It was like they’d switched places, their influence on each other undeniable.
“Oh,” Jax exclaimed as they pulled up to the apartment building. “I don’t have my indoor sneakers. Actually, I don’t have anything.”
“It’s okay, I’m shellshocked, you’re shellshocked.” Tristan let out a breath that puffed his cheeks. “I’m surprised I remembered how to get home.”
Laughing, Jax got out of the car and Tristan followed.
Their hands brushed in the elevator, and Tristan’s heart did a backflip as Jax’s pinky gently wrapped around his own.
While he didn’t feel as guilty as he did before, the twist in his chest would definitely linger, reminding him how lucky he was to have Jax back in his arms again.
He’d always be grateful that the love of his life had returned to him, and he’d make it his mission to always be honest and never take Jax for granted.
As they stepped into the apartment, Jax looked down at his sneakers again.
“You could leave them on, or I could carry you around.” Tristan’s body thrummed with the need to touch Jax, to be closer to him, but it didn’t have to be sexual, although he wouldn’t turn that down.
Jax took off his shoes.
“Are you up for it, Hot Bearded Guy?” His smirk had a weary edge. “By the way, after everything today? I need a good cup of tea, some food, and probably a nap.”
Tristan barked out a laugh, his roller coaster of emotions catching up to him.
“Music to my ears.” Lifting at the knees, Tristan gently picked Jax up, and Jax smiled, wrapping his arms around Tristan’s neck as they walked into the bedroom.
“I can go to Finn and Ollie’s and get your shoes,” Tristan said, placing Jax on the bed. And he meant it. If Jax asked Tristan to go to another country and buy shoes, then he’d grab his passport and head to the airport.
“We can stop there in the morning. I’m gonna need a bunch of things anyway because I’m staying here for a little while.” Jax fluffed the pillow under his head, putting a second one under his knees.
“What happened to easing in?” Tristan joked, because he already knew the answer to that question.
“This is easing in when it comes to us,” Jax declared, echoing Tristan’s thoughts, but then his deep-brown gaze turned hesitant. “Is that okay?”
“It’s more than okay,” Tristan breathed. Jax was here. In his bed. And he wanted to stay. Quickly pinching the skin on his hand, Tristan smiled in relief when it smarted. Good, not a dream.
“Yay!” The hint of vulnerability in that word had Tristan’s heart beating a mile a minute. Pulling out his phone, he tapped a food delivery app and then handed Jax the device.
“Order anything you want. I’ll brew some tea. ”
“This is what I mean,” Jax winked. “You’re perfect.”
Tristan didn’t agree, but he’d certainly try to live up to that ideal. Going to the kitchen, he rummaged through the teas until he found the perfect one. Making a pot, he brought it back to the bedroom on a tray with two cups.
Still on the bed, Jax perked up as soon as he saw Tristan, zeroing in on the tea. “I’m excited to see what you chose.”
Placing the tray on the nightstand, Tristan sat by Jax’s legs, pouring him a cup and handing it over.
Jax blew on the liquid before taking a sip, and his eyebrows drew together.
“I can’t place it…” He took another, holding it before swallowing. “Some kind of flower. The taste is delicate, almost like pollen. I give, what is it?”
“Chrysanthemum!” Tristan poured his own cup, sampling it with a hum. “I wanted something with no caffeine, it has anti-inflammatory effects, and whenever I drink it, I feel soothed.”
Jax blinked at him, his face softening even more. “You’re always thinking of me.”
“I wouldn’t be able to stop if I tried,” Tristan meant it when he said he wouldn’t hide anything anymore, including his feelings.
From now on, he’d be an open book when it came to Jax, because this bright, talented, feisty man chose him .
He felt a little foolish for ever worrying about the age gap since he knew with total certainty that they were meant for each other.
The back of Jax’s neck turned a delicious rosy pink that matched his cheeks.
“Wow, you um,” Jax gave him a silly grin, biting his lip on a giggle. “You really know how to press my buttons.”
Tristan didn’t know what that meant, but he didn’t stay confused for long because Jax pointedly looked down at his pants, the bulge of his cock pulsing once, moving under the fabric.
“I do?” Tristan should probably help him with that, put his people-pleasing skills to use where they were needed most. Setting his cup on the tray, Tristan leaned over Jax, who kept sipping his tea, acting like he wanted to be served in every way, and Tristan couldn’t let him down .
Rubbing the back of his hand against the bulge, Tristan grinned as it moved again, and his cock responded in kind, making his pants slightly uncomfortable.
“I’d say this is definitely easing in,” he declared as he hooked his fingers in Jax’s waistband.
Jax snorted, putting the cup aside comically fast and adjusting his body so Tristan could carefully strip him from the waist down.
Springing free, Jax’s cock bobbed happily.
The glint of steel at the top of the shaft taunted Tristan, and he couldn’t help but reach out and run a finger along it, enjoying the sharp breath Jax took in.
Although Tristan was leaking into his underwear, he knew they couldn’t go too far. Jax’s back still needed time, and they were both exhausted. However, that didn’t mean everything was off the table. Jax deserved a dose of oxytocin before his nap, and Tristan desperately needed to see him come.
“Can you turn on your side?” Tristan’s voice was already rough with desire.
Jax nodded once, his cheeks flushed, and as he removed his shirt, Tristan quickly stripped down, grabbing the lube and settling beside Jax.
Facing him, Tristan shuffled forward until they were skin to skin. The current between them sparked as their cocks pressed together, charging the air around them, and Jax inhaled, nestling his face in Tristan’s chest.
“I missed this.” Threading fingers through the soft hair by his cheek, Jax lightly pumped his hips, sliding his shaft against Tristan’s, the hard steel bar of his piercing only adding to the sensation.
Taking a deep breath, Tristan reeled himself in because right now he wanted to roll Jax over, sink deep inside of him, and pound him into next week.
But they had plenty of time for that. Soothing his urges, Tristan uncapped the lube, pulling back so he could pour it between them, and as the smooth liquid coated their flushed cocks, Jax let out a moan that grew louder as Tristan grasped them both in one hand.