Love Match (Love Match 1)

“So.” Jesse smiled. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow for doubles practice.”

“We could practice tonight. At my place.” Luke ran his finger up Jesse’s thigh, pleased when he saw a shiver run through Jesse’s body.

“I can’t. I’m having dinner with my parents.” He looked at his watch. “Shit, I’m late. I’d better go. But I’ll see you tomorrow morning, okay? Your place?”

“Shouldn’t we practice here? That way Jeff can give us a hand. You’re paying him, after all.”

Jesse’s face fell just a fraction. “Yeah, sure.”

“Or, I guess you could come to my place.” Luke leaned over, his lips hovering near Jesse’s ear. “And I could fuck you until you come harder than you ever have before.”

Jesse sucked in a breath and his lips found Luke’s. When he pulled away, he grinned. “See you bright and early.”

Then he was gone, the door slamming shut behind him, as he practically skipped to his car. Luke watched him back out and drive away, finally disappearing around a bend.

Luke stayed where he was, unable to wipe the smile from his face.

A familiar car sat in his driveway when Luke returned home. He pulled up behind it and killed the engine as his mother climbed out of her red Honda Accord, straightening her long jean skirt. Luke had tried many times to buy her a more expensive car, but she’d insisted that she didn’t need anything fancy.

“Mom, what are you doing waiting out here?” Luke closed the SUV door behind him and kissed her cheek. “I gave you a key for a reason.”

She smiled and hugged him tightly. “I was just passing by and I thought I’d wait a few minutes for you. I don’t want to intrude, Luke.”

Luke managed to keep a straight face and led her inside. His mother, Stephanie, still lived in Orange County in the house Luke grew up in, and there was no reason for her to be passing by Malibu. Nevertheless, he was happy to see her.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“Oh, just an iced tea, if you have it.”

“One iced tea coming up. Have a seat on the deck, Mom. I’ll bring it out.”

Luke threw together some snacks on a tray and two glasses of iced tea. His mother was looking out to sea when he joined her outside. He noticed the gray in her shoulder-length hair was a bit more prominent, the silver strands gleaming from amongst the chestnut brown so much like his own. She was sixty now, but Luke didn’t think she looked a day over forty-five. He hoped he would age as gracefully.

Stephanie fixed him with a look and a smile, saying nothing. Finally Luke asked, “What?”

“You were whistling.”

“I was?” He didn’t realize.

“Yes, you were.” She took a sip of iced tea. “It’s nice to see. You look different, Luke. Happy.”

Luke flashed back to the backseat of the SUV, Jesse’s cock in his mouth, the taste of his come. He shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, I guess. Things are good.”

“Have you met someone new?”

“Mom, you know how busy I am with the game.”

“Too busy for a love life?”

“Mom, gimme a break.” Luke forced a laugh. “So, how’s the flower shop?”

Stephanie sighed. “There you go.”

“There I go what?” Luke had a bad feeling about this. His mother seemed determined to talk about his private life.

“There you go changing the subject. Closing up.”

“What? I’m just asking how things are, Mom.”

“Business is good. My new apprentice is turning out to be very gifted. I’m quite pleased.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Oh, Luke. Don’t try to fool me. I’m your mother, remember. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a spring in your step.”

“Mom—”

“Not since Nik died,” she said quietly.

Silence settled over them, until Luke finally cleared his throat. “It’s been hard. He was a good friend.”

She gazed at him closely and took a deep breath. “And a lover.”

A buzzing began in Luke’s head, getting louder by the second. He stared at his mother, who looked back at him calmly, almost serenely.

He must be dreaming.

Or having a nightmare, to be exact.

“What are you…what you talking about?” Luke’s voice sounded strained even to his own ears.

“Did you really think I didn’t know? About you and Nik?”

“He was my coach, my friend—”

His mother placed her hand on Luke’s arm. “Sweetheart, I’ve known you were gay for years now. I waited for you to tell me. I decided I was sick of waiting. And that I was sick of seeing you mope around.”

Luke said nothing, his heart pounding in his chest, throat dry.

“I know you loved him. But you need to move on. You’ve only been going through the motions the last few years. I hate to see it. Your father would hate it, too.”

He couldn’t breathe. “Did he know? Did you tell him?”

Stephanie sighed again. “We never discussed it, but I think he knew. Deep down. He didn’t care about that. He loved you, Luke. You know that.”