Holding his breath Spud unlocked his hotel door, slipping inside as quietly as possible he winced at Tyrus's amused voice. Turning towards the couch he sighed at finding Tyrus sprawled out and quite obviously waiting for him.
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," grinning as Spud flushed dully Tyrus put his feet up on the coffee table. "So should I be telling EC to make an honest man out of you?" Waggling his eyebrows he laughed at Spud's irritated growl.
"I did not have sex with Ethan," rolling his eyes when Tyrus only smirked Spud gave in dropped down on the couch next to him. "We were watching a movie and I fell asleep, not that it's any of your business."
Shaking his head Tyrus tsked, "Spud, Spud, Spud have I taught you nothing. You've been wanting to jump Ethan's bones ever since I've known you and yet you throw away this chance." Ignoring Spud's indignant splutter he sighed in mock disappointment, "what are you waiting for kid."
"Don't call me kid, I'm older than you," crossing his arms Spud kicked Tyrus' feet off the coffee table. Scowling when the bigger man ignored the petty gesture in favour of grinning knowingly at him, embarrassment made his voice sharper than he'd intended, "why are you so interested anyway? It's not like Ethan is your type."
"I might be solely into the ladies shrimp but I got eyes," knocking Spud's shoulder Tyrus smirked at the half-hearted shove he got in return. "EC is one hot dude, plus all that money." Pausing to let Spud grumble in irritation, amused by the hint of jealousy he continued smoothly, "it really is too bad his personality has to ruin it all."
Eyes narrowing Spud punched Tyrus in the arm, "don't be mean Tyrus." Huffing when the bigger man didn't even have the decency to wince he released his irritation with a sigh and rested his head against the back of the couch. "Anyway we're going out on a date this Saturday, maybe I'll 'jump his bones' then," closing his eyes he didn't even try to stop the sappy smile from forming.
"God you have it bad," smothering a laugh as Spud lazily flipped him off Tyrus hesitated to bring down his good mood but, "and what are you planning on telling Reby about why you're missing her party?"
"That's this weekend?" Dismay burning away his contentment Spud turned his head to meet Tyrus' sympathetic nod, swearing quietly he massaged his suddenly aching head, "what am I going to do? I can't tell Reby the truth and she'll be relentless if I don't go."
Stroking his chin Tyrus felt an amused smirk curl his lips, "well you could always take EC with you, Reby would be too busy with him to worry about you then." Laughing outright at the appalled look Spud shot him he held his hands up placatingly, "sorry, I couldn't resist."
"Call me old-fashioned but I would like my date to survive the night," dryly Spud allowed a flicker of amusement at the image of Reby chasing Ethan around cut through the growing dread.
Snickering Tyrus nodded, "lying it is then." Patting Spud's shoulder he hesitated only a second before offering, "as much as Ethan doesn't deserve it, if you want to tell Reby you're too sick to attend I'll back you up."
Touched Spud squeezed Tyrus' arm, pushing back on the urge to gush he kept his voice quietly appreciative, "thanks mate, I appreciate the offer but you know Reby wouldn't leave you alone then. She's already suspicious of me."
"I can handle Reby shrimp, she won't get anything from me," stifling a yawn and grateful when Spud didn't make a bigger fuss Tyrus climbed to his feet and stretched, wincing as his back popped. Looking down at Spud's pensive expression he smirked, "besides I'm just doing my part to make sure you finally get in EC's pants."
Rolling his eyes at Tyrus' wink Spud fought off a blush, "you're impossible, you know that right?" Grumbling when Tyrus only laughed he nonetheless accepted the other man's assistance off the couch. Now that they had a plan in place he was suddenly exhausted, all he wanted to do was sleep until he could talk to Ethan.
"Call Ethan in the morning Spud, let him in on the plan and make sure to keep out of sight on Saturday. Reby will be none the wiser and you can have your date," pushing Spud towards his room Tyrus waved off the thanks. Not that he'd admit it out loud but he still felt like he owed Spud for the role he'd played in Ethan's quest to ruin the smaller man's life. Which is also why he also intended to keep a close eye on Ethan, just to make sure his old boss didn't mess things up again.
Fumbling to grab his phone Spud answered with a barely intelligible grunt, the sound Ethan's amused voice instantly putting a smile on is face. Aware how sappy he must look he was grateful they'd booked a suite this time or else Tyrus would never let him live it down.
"Morning tiger, I thought I was the one supposed to sleep late," teasing Ethan smiled at Spud's low grumble, mind conjuring the image of the smaller man in bed, hair sticking off at crazy angles. Warm and relaxed Spud would be eager for his kisses, would wrap his arms around his neck to pull him even closer as he rolled on top and … shifting uncomfortably Ethan halted that train of thought, turning his attention back to the sleepy rasp of Spud's voice
"You don't have Tyrus keeping you awake with his snores any longer," yawning Spud cradled the phone to his ear, pulling the covers up to his chin he closed his eyes and relaxed to the warm sound of Ethan's laughter.
"I do not miss that, I used to have to book his room on a different floor just to be sure I got a good night's sleep," smile deepening at Spud's sleepy murmur of agreement Ethan knew he had it bad when he was content to simply listen to the other man breathe, slow and steady and clearly on the verge of falling back to sleep. "Perhaps I should call you later tiger, you sound like you need the sleep."
Rousing himself Spud muttered a protest, fighting a yawn he abruptly remembered the conversation with Tyrus last night, "wait Sir, I need to talk to you about Saturday."
Swallowing the sudden lump of fear Ethan clutched the phone tighter, "you haven't changed your mind have you?" He resisted the urge to rush down to Spud's room and talk to him in person.
"No, of course not," taken aback by the worry in Ethan's voice Spud couldn't stop his slow smile, it felt rather nice to know how much the other man cared about their date. "I'm looking forward to it. The trouble is Reby has a party planned for the same day and to get out of it well … I'm going to need to lie."
Blinking Ethan laughed, relief made his knees weak and he dropped down on the nearest chair, "lying tiger? I have been a bad influence on you." Teasing he closed his eyes and basked in the warm glow of satisfaction on knowing the other man was willing to lie to the Hardy's to be with him.
Cursing the slow roll of pleasure at the smugness in Ethan's voice, something he wished he didn't find quite so attractive Spud forced his voice to be steady, "Tyrus has promised to cover for me, I'll be too sick to attend the party so whatever you have planned I'm afraid I'll need to remain out of sight." Suddenly uncertain he bit his lip, fingers digging into the blanket, "I hope that doesn't interfere with your plans."
Despite wanting to reassure Ethan was unable to keep the huskiness out of his voice, "don't worry tiger, staying out of sight fits my plans perfectly." Spud's sharp inhale made him all the more determined the make sure their first real 'date' was perfect, "I'll make sure no one suspect you're not in your hotel room, just be ready to sneak off with me bright and early tomorrow morning."
"I'll be waiting, Sir," hanging up after Ethan's satisfied good-bye Spud sank back in bed, clutching the phone to his chest he stared up at the ceiling with a smile so big his face hurt. No matter what trouble might come his way from Reby this second chance at having a real relationship with Ethan was worth it.
