Chapter 37 - Reece
They got on the road, Reece stiff so he wouldn’t make any sudden moves, all too aware of the way his legs dangled over Nick’s, how close they were to that part of him he’d never get to have again.
“So, they let you keep the outfits you model, huh?” Declan asked and Reece hummed to confirm. “Even those underwear? They looked pretty damn comfy…”
“You fuckin’ dick,” Nick muttered under his breath.
Reece cleared his throat. “Y-yeah, all of it.”
“I might have to get me a pair of those babies.”
“Sure,” Reece laughed, “you should.”
Nick’s hand was resting on Reece’s thigh, as possessive as ever, and Reece liked it. He wanted it to mean more.
He wanted Nick to want him. To really want him. He missed Nick so much.
He was too needy to handle this proximity.
“So… How are your schedules looking?” Reece asked. “Must be pretty packed…”
“Flying out tomorrow to meet our teams and shit on Monday,” Nick explained, thumb brushing Reece’s leg through his pants, so lightly, and yet the sensation thrummed through Reece’s whole body.
He almost whined, holding his breath and begging his body not to betray him. If he got hard, he would literally die.
“It’s gonna feel weird as hell to be separated after all this time,” Declan added with a long but happy sigh. “Don’t know what I’d do if Alex wasn’t tagging along.”
“Yeah,” Reece agreed with a pout. Declan and Alex had a really strong bond. He was glad they wouldn’t have to be separated. “I’m going to try to go to all the games I can, for both of you.”
“Are you still planning to move before the season?” Declan asked.
“Oh yeah, I should be settled in somewhere by then. New York is the plan for now. It depends on how long it takes for me to get an offer that suits me, but the shows went really well, and I hope to make some more contacts at the after-party tonight.”
“Hell yeah. Proud of you.” Declan’s hand reached for Reece’s head but Nick elbowed him hard in the ribs, making him wince and pull back.
“Ow!” Reece gasped, knowing that had to hurt. “Nicky, don’t be mean!”
“I’m not,” Nick grumbled, still pushing an elbow against Declan as if to keep him at a distance as he looked to Reece, and there was something questioning in those deep blue eyes that made Reece anxious. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Reece breathed.
“About New York and these fuckin’ plans of yours?”
“Oh, well…” The opportunity had never really presented itself. They had been so caught up in each other that they weren’t discussing the future at all. They’d been avoiding it. “It never really came up, is all.”
“We’re here,” the driver announced, and Reece looked out to see the crowd of people they were passing. “Should I drop you off at the carpet?”
“Oh, please,” Reece said, pulling his legs off of Nick’s and sitting up straight. To his surprise, Nick kept his hand on his leg even then.
As soon as the SUV parked at the red carpet, Declan opened the door, not giving the driver the opportunity to walk around and do it.
He stepped out first, cameras already flashing, people talking.
Nick went next, and Reece didn’t know whether to mourn the loss or breathe in relief once Nick was no longer touching him, but then Nick stood outside and looked back at him, offering his hand for Reece to take.
Reece took it, chest tight, heart racing. Cameras were nothing new to him, but this kind of publicity was different. What if people got the wrong idea?
“Thank you,” he said, letting go as soon as he was on his feet, the three of them walking across the carpet together. Reece could hear people talking about all three of them but neither of them paid any mind to it.
The night was young, and they had a lot of important people inside to meet. Reece, with reason. Nick and Declan, well… because they chose to come along.
It was a long night. Fun but exhausting. Declan and Nick stayed with Reece throughout the evening, and they’d been introduced to so many people that Reece didn’t have a chance of remembering them all.
If not for those two, Reece was sure he wouldn’t have lasted as long as he did.
His eyes were so heavy, tired from a long week of work and too much excitement.
He was standing near a corner staring at the watered-down drink in his hand when Nick’s arm wound around him and pulled him in against his side.
“We’re getting out of here.”
“We are?” Reece looked at Nick’s handsome face, forcing his eyes open as wide as he could.
“Yeah, Kitten. It’s late. You’re tired as hell.”
“Okay… Am a little sleepy.”
“Let’s go then.”