Chapter Twenty-Six
SELWIN
My rideshare’s stuck in traffic, so I finally get a chance to respond to the numerous texts I’ve received from my family.
I give my mom and my brothers the gist of what happened and what Donaldson said to me.
They’re relieved to know I’m okay, but also worried, and then they ask how Finn’s doing.
My brothers vow to kick Donaldson’s ass into oblivion but my mother wants the first shot.
Damien texted too, anxious about me and Finn, but I assured him we were okay and would call him this week.
I’m still typing when the car stops, and Taylor slips in to join me.
“Sorry, I’ve got messages I have to send asap,” I announce.
Taylor nods, pulling out his phone and doing his own thing.
We continue heading north until we reach our destination.
The largest library in New York is hosting tonight’s fashion event, invite only for the who’s who of celebrities, athletes, and performers.
I couldn’t care less and admit I’m not up for making conversation with Taylor or anyone else for that matter, but I’m not going to be asshole about it. Much.
“So, we need to play this one a bit differently.” Taylor finally breaks the silence. “Hugo discussed it with my PR team, and they agreed we should we hype things up and act more… intimate.”
“Excuse me?” I reply and shove my phone in my pocket.
“You know, hold each other’s hand throughout the event, not only for the press gallery. Kiss if we’re inclined, to make things look solid.”
I shake my head and sigh.
“Taylor, you know I wasn’t into this PR relationship stuff to begin with. And I don’t care what Hugo wants. I’m grateful for the positive press coverage with you, but I think we’ve done what we needed to do and we’re good now.”
Taylor smiles and nods.
“That’s what I figured you’d say, and probably the reason Hugo texted me about it.
Honestly, I agree with you, even though I don’t want to piss off my media team.
I guess since we’re both high-profile athletes, being queer is acceptable as long as we’re in a relationship with each other.
” He rolls his eyes. “It sucks, but it’s true. ”
“I know.”
This is the last date and it’s only a couple of hours. I bite my lower lip, forgetting about my cut. The twinge of pain is a good reminder.
“Okay,” I reply. “I can do it. The hand holding for the entire night. And a kiss on the cheek because my lip hurts like hell.”
It’s not that sore, but the only mouth I’m kissing is Finn’s.
“That works.” Taylor nods. “But the PDA might make the press hungrier for more.”
“How about we tell them that going forward, we’re taking this private for a while due to our hectic schedules? Then, in a month, we say it didn’t work out.”
“Sounds legit.”
“What about your PR team?”
Taylor shrugs.
“I think you’re right. We’ve done enough. It’s been great meeting you, and I hope we can still hang, but we both came out to live our authentic lives, not lie, right?”
Right. Only I’m still not living it.
I nod but say nothing.
“By the way.” Taylor pats my leg. “Nice job with the concealer, but it doesn’t match your skin tone.”
I offer him my middle finger.
“Ha ha. It could’ve been worse, like a bruised eye. Or two of them. I’d need a professional artist for that for sure.”
When we arrive at the event, the steps leading up to the building are crawling with journalists and photographers.
“Okay, Taylor,” I say and take a deep breath. “It’s the final countdown for this game.”
“Let’s make it a good one.”
I offer him my hand and he it takes it, interlocking our fingers. It feels wrong. Looking down, there’s no freckles on the hand in mine. Taylor’s a handsome guy, but my heart belongs to an auburn-haired rookie with a smile that’s ruined me for anyone else.
Maybe it’s time you told Finn that?
When we step out, I let Taylor do most of the talking.
As per our plan, which will have Hugo frothing at the mouth, he tells reporters that this is our last public appearance for a while due to our jobs.
He occasionally squeezes my hand, and I jump in with a quip here and there.
It’s only when Taylor kisses my cheek and flashes pop that I flinch.
I force a big smile and turn to look at him.
This is not the face I want to see or the person I want by my side.
Funnily enough, I can tell from Taylor’s expression that he’s thinking the exact same thing.
When we finally get inside, we head for the bar to grab a drink and then search for our seats.
Taylor and I continue to hold hands as we make small talk with the people on either side of us.
A half hour later, the lights dim, and the runway show begins.
It seems to last forever, and I hope no one asks me to comment on the way out because I don’t pay attention to any of it.
The models, the celebrities, the clothes, I know they’re beautiful, but it’s all white noise to me, like the roar of the crowd in a packed arena.
Since we’re seated in the back row, I quickly draw my hand away from Taylor for a moment so I can check my phone for messages. There’s one from Finn and I immediately tap it, worried that he needs me.
Until I see the message and the photo.
Finn: You wore mine (twice) so I’m wearing yours.
He’s sitting on one of my living room chairs, doing a sexy manspread while wearing one of my black jocks. My pulse skyrockets and I swallow hard, hoping like hell I don’t pop a boner. I clutch the phone to my chest until I’m calm enough to type.
Sel: You won’t be wearing it for long.
Finally, I’m smiling for real.
I quickly hide my phone in my pocket and turn to Taylor. His smirk tells me I didn’t move fast enough, and I’ve been caught. He makes a zipping motion over his lips and chuckles. I mouth, “Thank you.”
A couple of hours later, the show’s done and the afterparty is well underway. Taylor and I grab another drink, do the rounds, and take more photos before making our exit. We both have practice tomorrow and the sooner I get back to Finn, the better.
“I’ll talk to Hugo,” I say when our rideshare is nearing Taylor’s. “He’ll be pissed we’re not going to play this out longer, but I’ll take the blame.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“No worries. I’m past giving a shit what he thinks,” I reply. “Hey, maybe sometime down the road, we can get together for a beer or something? No press.”
“I’d like that.”
He smiles, shakes my hand, and steps out of the car.
Then we’re off again, the driver wading us through the frenetic Manhattan streets.
I pull out my phone and text Finn that I’m coming home.
When he doesn’t reply, I figure he’s sleeping, and that’s for the best. I’m just excited that I get to sleep beside him.
Whether it’s for a night or a week, I’ll take it.
When I get back home and unlock the door, however, I spy Finn sitting in that same armchair in the corner, his eyes closed. Shit, sleeping like that’s not going to help his shoulder at all. Stripping out of my suit jacket and shirt, I pad over quietly.
“Sweetheart,” I whisper. “I’m back.”
His eyes pop open and he grins at me.
“Thank fuck. I need help getting out of this chair.”
“What happened to, ‘I can take care of myself?’”
Finn offers me his response via his right middle finger.
“You shouldn’t tease a sick patient. But yeah, I should’ve sat on the couch, because I think I’m trapped in here. Seriously, help me.”
I look down at him, those gorgeous thighs spread wide, my black jock showcasing an erection that makes my mouth water.
“Looks like you need help with something else first.”
“Unfortunately, I’m too tired to do anything about it.”
I drop to my knees and tug at the straps that wrap around his hips.
“I’m not,” I insist. “Lift that sexy ass.”
Finn’s breath hitches and he doesn’t hesitate to do as I ask. I pull the jock down his legs and throw it aside, staring at his pretty cock.
“Rehabilitation program day one,” I quip, leaning in closer, sliding my hands up his hairy thighs and then nuzzling my face into his pubes.
“I’m going to provide necessary relief to help you sleep better.
But don’t move. Well, you can put your legs over my shoulders if you need support, but that’s it. ”
“Sel.” Finn growls my name and throws his head back.
When his calves slide over my shoulders, I don’t waste time.
I spit in my hand and wrap it around the base of his cock while I lick and suck on the head, then trace the long vein that runs down his shaft and back up again.
The musky taste of Finn hits my tongue and both of us groan.
I swallow him down all the way, stuffed full of his cock, and the guttural sounds coming out of his mouth drive me crazy.
I’m dying to jerk myself off, but I focus on him. This is all about what Finn needs.
“Baby, fuck that’s—” He pants. “Incredible… don’t stop.”
I’m hypnotized by the sight of his head thrown back, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. The long arch of his freckled neck is the hottest thing ever. I want to mark him there. Mark him everywhere. Using my free hand, I cup his heavy balls and tease his taint.
“Ngh,” he grunts. “Yes. So good.”
He tries to pump his hips, but I pop off his cock and shake my head.
“I said don’t move,” I demand, my voice hoarse. “Let me do all the work.”
“You can’t be serious. How can I not move?”
“Do you want me to continue? How badly do you want to come down my throat?”
He looks at me with narrowed eyes, and the fire in them has my own orgasm threatening to let loose.
“Fine,” he mutters through gritted teeth, his chest moving in and out at a rapid pace. “But you’re getting payback. When I’m fully healed, I’m going to take my time sucking your dick and eating your ass until you beg for release.”
My dick jerks as heat ripples through my body.
“Can’t wait.”
“Get the rehab started and suck me off,” he counters, his words breathless.