I wanted so bad to ask, but that might only make it more awkward. Still, I couldn’t help wondering. Was his dick out when he got back to his room? Was that why he couldn’t face me? He’d certainly grown a nice bulge by the time he’d retreated.
“I’m sorry I came home and made it weird.”
“Maybe at first,” I said, then swallowed the lump in my throat. “It was hot. We can at least admit to that, right?”
“Yeah, I can admit that,” he said, the flush moving to his neck. “Are you gonna see that guy again? He was cute.”
“Nah, not something I want. I just needed a release, like you needed one the other night.”
“I hear you.” He sipped more of his coffee while I took the last bite of my toast.
“So we’re okay? I don’t think I could stand it if we aren’t okay,” I said in a sappier tone than I’d intended. But I meant every word.
“Yeah, you big dummy, we’re okay,” he said, bumping my hip as he passed by me on his way to the sink. It threw him off-kilter, and I resisted putting my hand on his back to steady him, not only because I was still feeling unsure of us but because he hated it when I didn’t give him the opportunity to help himself first. “But next time, maybe go to your room.”
“Deal,” I said, putting my hand out.
He rolled his eyes at the formality of it. “Oh, so this is how it’s gonna be—oof.”
As soon as he stretched his hand toward me, I jerked him forward into a hug, and I loved hearing his laugh against my shoulder. I lifted him off his toes and spun him around like he was a kid.
“I’ll bite your neck if you don’t put me down.”
“Ooh, sounds kinky.”
“You ass,” Morgan said, but I also felt him shiver like maybe he wasn’t expecting this closeness after what happened. Still, he didn’t let go of me even after I put him down. He felt warm and smelled like the shower gel he used, and that scent always represented peace to me, so by the time we separated, I thought we’d probably be just fine.
Afterward, it was a mad rush to finish eating, get dressed, and head out the door to campus.
“Forgot to tell you,” he said before we parted ways in front of the administrative building. “Jasmine asked if we’d show at the bowling alley—”
“For the team fundraiser,” I finished. “Yeah, Vickers already hit me up to buy raffle tickets. I’m game if you are.”
“Sure, why not?” Morgan said. “And can you promise me hot baseball pants?”
I laughed. “That’s a different kind of game.”
Everything felt right in the universe again, and yet, later in class, instead of focusing on the video presentation, I found myself thinking again about the scenario from last night. How intensely Morgan had watched us. The desire in his eyes and how he tried not to squirm as he stood at his door.
Morgan looked…hot, and I couldn’t help imagining him in the throes of passion. Abort! Abort thought immediately! Guess it would take me more time to shake off what happened.
Whenever I was upset about something, texting Morgan something silly provided comic relief and helped me feel better instantly, and there was no reason, really, why this situation should be any different. I slid my phone from my pocket and scrolled to his name.
Movie and snuggle session tonight after work?
I held my breath while I waited for a response. It was something I would normally text him, but now there was an extra layer of tension.
You’re ridiculous. I don’t need your fucking snuggles.
There was the sarcastic Morgan I loved.
Like hell you don’t.
My hands were shaking, which was so unlike me when it came to him.
You could always bribe me with my favorite ice cream.
I grinned so hard but then remembered I was in class and needed to tone it down.
Deal. I paused before I started typing again. I just don’t want any more awkwardness between us.
It’s us! We’ll figure it out. We’ve also never lived together before.
The knot in my stomach uncurled.
You think that’s all it is?
It’s gotta be, right?
He had a point. Yeah, guess so.
You’ve been with guys, and so have I, and we’ve totally told each other everything, so why would this be different?
I…don’t know. But you’re my ride or die, and I can’t do any of this without you.
Damn, seeing my words typed out…it looked pretty desperate.
You’ll never lose me, no matter what.
I breathed a sigh of relief, shut off my phone, and tuned in to the video.
After my afternoon class, I walked the couple of blocks to Melt, the custard place where I worked.
“Hey,” I greeted my coworker, who was busy ringing up customers behind the register.
“Good, you’re here,” she replied, looking a bit frazzled. “Can you restock the hot-fudge sauce? It’s crazy popular today.”