Better Have Heart (Harrison Campus 2)

He certainly didn’t understand the allure of leaving this enormous bed. It was easily the largest, most comfortable bed he’d ever slept in.

Though, that might have had more to do with who he shared it with than the bed itself.

Isaiah couldn’t imagine a better match. In or out of bed. They simply harmonized.

Their suite door closed, and Isaiah rolled toward the bedroom door just as Darren stepped through.

“Good morning,” Darren said cheerfully. His big smile made Isaiah forget the insanely early hour. “Feeling rested?”

“You seem to forget how little we slept last night.”

Darren chuckled. “Guilty, but in my defense, my boyfriend is hot as fuck.”

Boyfriend. Isaiah liked the sound of that. He lounged back against the pillows with a contented sigh. “If this is a dream, don’t wake me.”

“It’s definitely my dream come true. Now, up. Or we won’t have time to eat before class.”

Isaiah groaned, but he was too happy to protest and rolled out of bed.

Darren

At the end of a delicious breakfast—made infinitely better by Isaiah’s delighted moans—Darren’s phone rang.

It took him a moment to recognize his father’s ringtone.

He shot up, earning a look from Isaiah. “My dad’s calling.”

He struggled to get the phone out of his pocket and answered, a slight break in his voice. “Hey, Dad.”

“Good morning, Darren. How are you today?”

He smiled so wide his cheek pressed against the screen. “Happy doesn’t begin to describe it.”

“Well, good. Good.” His father paused for a beat. “I assume I didn’t wake you?”

“Nah, been up for a while. We’re just eating before class.” We. He liked the sound of that.

“I won’t keep you two long. Wouldn’t want you to be late.”

Darren snorted. “No, you of all people wouldn’t stand for that.”

“It’s a good habit—”

“—to learn at an early age. Yes, I know. A certain father of mine made sure I got that.”

“Yes, you did. If only I’d been more successful with Cody. Ah, well.”

Darren felt giddy. He’d missed this more than he remembered. He waved his fingers at the food to encourage Isaiah to eat more. “What’s up, Dad?”

“Your grandfather is already looking into the things you mentioned. It would be good if you don’t tell anyone what he’s doing. We don’t want to tip anyone off.”

“Okay.”

“He is going to want to talk to anyone who’s willing, so if you could get a list together and give it to him, he would appreciate it.”

“I’ll get a list.”

“The other two things are related. You mother and I are coming to your game on Friday.”

His heart clenched. “Really?” he murmured. “That’s . . . awesome.”

Isaiah beheld him curiously, mouthing “You okay?”

Darren gave him a thumbs-up.

His father cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’d want to see us. Me. But I know this doesn’t magically mend the bridges between us.”

“It’s a start, Dad. I’m excited you’re coming.”

“Good. We’d like to take you and Isaiah out to dinner on Saturday, too.” Emotion made his Dad’s voice ragged. “We always go out after the game. I want to restart that tradition. Also, we want to talk to Isaiah about our expectations for dating our son.”

What the fuck? Darren nearly dropped the phone. “What?”

His father snickered, and Darren growled. That brought on a full belly laugh. “Gotcha. We hope Isaiah can come.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, Darren, I’m sure.”

Darren started to choke up. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Now get to class,” Dad said gruffly.

“Say hi to Mom for me.”

“I will. And Darren?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I love you.”

Heat built behind his eyes, and Darren blinked and nodded.

“Take care,” Dad said. “We’ll see you Friday.”

“Bye.”

Darren dropped heavily onto the bed.

Isaiah moved over, pushing the tray to the side. “You look upset.”

“Mom and Dad are coming to my game Friday, and they’re sticking around for the weekend. They want us to join them for dinner.”

“Us? As in you and me?”

Darren raised his hands and smiled. “What can I say, they like you.”

“Really?”

Darren motioned for Isaiah to lie next to him. “Mom thought we were dating after the weekend you were at the house. She said we made a cute couple.”

“What made her think that?”

“I let you drive my baby. I don’t even let my brother do that. I think that said everything.”

“You don’t let anyone else drive your car?”

“Isaiah, it’s a classic in mint condition. No replacement parts. If you’d crashed it . . .”

“And you let me drive? Darren!”

Darren laughed, leaned in, and kissed him. “What can I say? I was head over heels for you.” He stole another kiss, this one slow and lingering.

He pulled back, humming. “I just had a thought.”

“Do you usually announce all your thoughts before saying them?”

Darren shushed him with a kiss, feeling Isaiah’s lips turn up into a smirk.

Isaiah shoved his chest back an inch. “Tell me your thought.”

“I think Dad wants to send Jenkins a not so subtle message to leave you alone.”

“By taking me to dinner?”

“Mm-hmm.” Darren dropped for another kiss. “Jenkins will be sure to show up once he finds out my parents are on campus. If you’re with us, my mother will totally introduce you as my boyfriend. ‘Oh hi, Ted, how are you. Do you know Darren’s boyfriend, Isaiah. Silly me, of course you do.’ Something like that.”