XXX CHAPTER 27 XXX
Enjoy your morning jerk . . . on me! Emmett typed with a huge grin, mostly because he'd just done the same in the shower, but also because he was happily picturing Edward doing exactly that—jerking on him. Too bad Edward wouldn't be awake for another couple of hours to see his reward. After all, he'd earned it with his starring role last night in Emmett's dreams.
Fuuuuck, three more long nights of this shit. But then, the prize would be that much sweeter. Best case scenario, the team would land at Sea-Tac around three a.m. Monday; Emmett would grab a few hours of shut-eye and haul his ass out of bed to spend the next thirty hours glued to Edward's lips and hips. Um, you might want to ask the guy if he has plans.
We're on for Monday, right? Running in the a.m., maybe grab some lunch, you can cook me dinner…?
Emmett chuckled as he added that last bit, a little fantasy he couldn't seem to push out of his mind. And who cared if Edward wasn't inclined toward cooking? Takeout in an apron would more than satisfy.
Was this domestic bliss really his for the taking? Emmett was getting a little giddy about the whole Leave It To Beaver homecoming scene until a pang of uncle guilt hit him in the gut. Bad enough Emmett wanted to blow off dinner at his sister's, but he hadn't missed spending his day off with Sawyer since returning from spring training. Alice would understand, but what about Sawyer? Shit.
Emmett had a feeling Edward would enjoy the batting cage as much as, if not more than, Sawyer. What a shame he couldn't bring Edward along with them.
Or could he?
Emmett reflected on the dinner conversation at the Whitlocks' where the topic of gay weddings had come up. It's not that Sawyer wouldn't be cool with Edward; it was just that the poor little guy would have a secret that would become impossible to keep when he happened to see Edward at his new school. No, Emmett couldn't dare risk being exposed or asking Sawyer to cover for him without having to explain why he was hiding in the closet in the first place. So, that was that. No triple playdate for them.
Emmett must've checked his phone ten times between 7:30 and 9, willing Edward to wake the hell up so he could get some confirmation about Monday. When his text notification finally buzzed, Emmett was on his second trip to the breakfast buffet.
Oh, good morning! :) Hmm…I'll be back in five.
Enjoy yourself! Emmett smiled at his phone and shoved it back in his pocket.
He passed through the buffet line, barely seeing the feast laid out before him, too busy picturing the Edward-shaped buffet laid out in his imagination. As Emmett mounded a spoonful of scrambled eggs onto his plate, he visualized Edward lying on his back, hand snaking under the covers . . . Would there be boxers? Briefs? Nothing? Emmett would have to make it a point to ask so he could get a proper visual for next time.
Five minutes, Edward had said. He'd be about halfway there, Emmett mused as he took a banana from the platter. The voyeur-cam panned slowly up the ridges of Edward's abs—one part of Edward's body Emmett didn't have to wonder about—until reaching his O-face. Damn, Emmett was plumping up inside his running shorts! Walking back to his table, he held the banana strategically to cover the growing bulge in his crotch.
How Emmett was supposed to sit here and eat with Edward's whimpering noises playing in his head, he had no fucking clue. It certainly didn't help things when Emmett's phone vibrated in his shorts, pretty much announcing Edward had popped his nut. As much as he was dying to look, Emmett couldn't read Edward's message at the table without giving himself away. Shoveling in the rest of his eggs and rising with banana in hand, Emmett made a quick excuse to go upstairs.
He whipped out his phone as soon as the elevator doors closed, grinning at Edward's message.
Now, what's that you were saying about my cooking?
Okay, Mr. Nonchalant. We'll just gloss right over what you were just doing. Emmett typed his response, but it wouldn't send until he left the steel cage of the elevator. You seem like the nurturing type. Figured you had some culinary skills.
As a matter of fact, I do.
Score! I'd like to give you a chance to show those off.
Would you, now?
Mmhmm.
Okay, what's your pleasure?
You're my pleasure, I hope. Surprise me. Emmett was certain Edward would get the reference to his locker room comment. Opening the door to his room, he headed straight for the balcony in case Fuller returned before they were finished.
Any allergies?
Nope. I'm pretty adventurous.
Challenge accepted.
Can't wait to taste your cooking!
You sure you don't mind missing dinner with your family?
I'm sure. I'll take Sawyer out for a couple hours mid-day and head to your place as soon as I can. What a damn relief it was not to have to pretend anymore! At least, not when it was just the two of them.
Sounds great. And in case it's not obvious, feel free to bring your toothbrush.
I might just do that. What kind of toothpaste do you use?
What kind do you want? Apparently, I'm grocery shopping before your visit. And how do you take your coffee?
Crest and black.
Noted. What's your plan today?
Intense boredom followed by a light workout with the team at 2, more time-killing, and flying out to Chicago late tonight.
Poor baby. Should we play some chess?
If you dare…
Bring it, McCarty!
Okay. I'll find you over at yahoo in a little bit.
Sure.
Hey, before you go—I need to know something.
Okay?
What do you wear to bed?
I guess you'll find out when you spend the night.
That won't work. You're not wearing anything when I'm there! I want to know what you were wearing this morning when you got my message.
*taking more notes* Very well. Last night, I went to bed in my Under Armour boxerjocks. They come six to a pack in assorted colors, and I happened to have been in a red mood. Happy now?
Extremely.
XXX
"Intense boredom" didn't begin to cover the next two days, and the nights were even longer. Emmett must've been some kind of masochist to ask Edward for the specifics, and now he truly understood the expression about the devil living in the details. The devil in tight, red boxer briefs, to be exact. And since that sweet visual had been tossed his direction, Emmett had had zero opportunity to take advantage of it. His erection was his constant companion, and trying to concentrate on chess was doing the exact opposite of taking his mind off the problem.
He stared at the game board, but all Emmett could see was Edward on the opposite side in nothing but those sexy underwear, a situation that made strategy—or even basic thinking—more challenging than usual.
That's a horrible move! You just put your queen in peril. Look at my knight! Edward typed in the dialogue box below their game.
It's all part of my plan, Emmett wrote back.
Does your king have a death wish?
Tell me what you're wearing right now.
No! FOCUS.
I'm trying!
Look at the board, Emmett. Forget about the man behind the game. I'm not even here. White army against black. Pull back your queen and try again.
Okay, fine. Emmett replayed the move, sending his bishop out to threaten the black queen.
Better.
I can't forget you're there if you keep talking to me!
Okay, radio silence it is.
Emmett lasted a few moves longer this time, capturing more of the black army than he had in the past, but it wasn't nearly as much fun without Edward chatting with him. Come back! I'll do better.
Okay. Nothing exciting going on here. I'm wearing a fleece-lined parka and baggy jeans.
Nice try.
Ugh, you're a mess over there. You have to find some time to get away tonight and take care of business.
Emmett smiled. For my sake or yours?
Both of us! It's been 51 hours.
Hmm, maybe I can sneak into the locker room tonight during the game.
Locker room? *gulp*
Yes. The shift couldn't be missed; with the simple mention of the locker room, Emmett had regained the upper hand. I'll strip out of my uniform and wrap one of my sweaty workout towels around my neck. I'll close my eyes and think about you, stroke myself till I'm good and hard…
Emmett paused, leaving Edward twisting and begging for more.
DON'T STOP THERE!
With a giant grin plastered on his face, Emmett continued typing. Then I'll walk nice and slow over to the urinals, because I'm all alone in here and I can do exactly as I please.
You are killing me.
I'm killing myself too, Edward, but damn, what a sweet way to go! I'll think of you in those boxers…and me shoving them down your hips and taking what's mine and…
AND... ?
And that should do it! :)
Agreed.
So you're with me? Top of the fourth tonight, I head inside after the first out.
Seriously?
Hell, yes. Unless you want me to explode.
No, we can't have that.
It's a date.
You romantic fool.
Right now, it's about survival. One more day after this, and we're home for seven days. And have I got plans for you.
I can't argue with your logic. "See you" later.
XXX
"Hey, sis. How was church?"
"Pretty exciting, as usual. How's Chicago?"
"I'm ready to come home."
"Right. Will we see you tomorrow night for dinner?"
"That's why I'm calling. I have good news and bad news."
"I think I've already figured out the bad news," she said. "Let's hear the good part."
"I have a date."
"Hmm, you and Tammy rekindling your fauxmance?"
Emmett ignored the twinge of disapproval in Alice's voice. "No, Alice. I have an actual, real live date. With a man."
"Whoa! That's amazing! You two are going out, as in 'out into the world'?"
The knot tightened in Emmett's gut. "Not exactly. It's more of a stay-in date, but before you yell at me, we have gone out in public before."
"You have?"
"Yes, as friends. This is my . . ." Edward. "Remember that Twitter guy?"
"Oh, yes. Your hashtagger. What was it? MacPerfect?"
"Yep."
"He's the one you're dating?"
"Well, it's very, very new. Embryonic. But I really like him—"
"And obviously, he likes you," Alice said with a chuckle.
"Yes."
"Can I ask a stupid question?"
"Don't you always?"
"Haha. If you've been out together before, why do you feel like you have to hide now?"
Emmett sighed, scrolling through their non-dates of brunch and lunch and dinner, running and swimming, and their online banter. "Because now that we're together, anyone paying the slightest bit of attention to the two of us would see how we really feel."
"Oh, little brother, you sound like you're in deep. I can't remember you talking about anyone like this for . . . well, ever! In fact, I don't think I've ever heard you say you were on a date before!"
Emmett chuffed. "No, I wouldn't have described any of my previous encounters as dates."
"Well, I could not be happier for you. This fan of yours, he's a stand-up guy?"
"Alice, honestly, he's way too good for me. I'm just hoping he won't figure that out for a while."
"Oh, pshhh! You're not so bad when you're not being a cocky ass."
"Thanks, Alice."
"You bet. So this is what your secret meetings with Jas have been about?"
"Yes. He helped me sort things out. By the way, I haven't actually told him that I took the plunge, so feel free to pass along my news."
"I'm sure he will be extremely pleased to hear it. So, when do we get to meet this mystery man?"
Laughter flew out of Emmett's mouth. "Considering we've been together for all of an hour, followed by a week of being separated by half a country, I'd say we need a wee bit more time before I unleash my family on the poor guy."
"As you wish, but when you're ready, you know we're here."
"Thanks, Alice. Really. I actually can't wait for you to meet him. He's amazing."
"Aww, you are so cute when you're love-struck, you know that?"
"Excellent, that's just what I'm going for here."
"Oh, don't worry, Big Mac. I won't blow your cover."
"Thank you, and speaking of which, if you could not say anything to Sawyer . . ."
"Of course. You can share if and when you're ready."
"It's just that Edward is going to be teaching at Sawyer's school this fall. They probably won't cross paths, but I can't risk it. I'm sure you understand."
"That's quite the coincidence!"
"Isn't it?"
"No problem. I can be very discreet when I need to be."
"Great. So, about Monday, can I pick Soy up around two? I'll bring him home in time for dinner."
"After you stuff him with candy and ice cream," Alice said, only slightly chagrined.
"Naturally."
"Sure, Em. I can't wait to see your big, goofy smile."
"Why do I get the feeling you're going to torture me mercilessly?"
"Because you're not as dumb as you look?"
"I love you too, Alice."
Author's Note: Another few days of separation, but the boys appear to be *handling* things okay. How about you? Would you believe one reader told me she hoped they didn't get back together right away? I am seriously loving the reviews. You guys are asking such great questions, predicting such fantastic scenes, filling my head with ideas and more ideas...It seems there's more than meets the eye! *wink*
XXX ~BOH