Page 21 of Joey's Trick

Joey tentatively returned Trick’s hug, his fingers digging into the muscles along Trick’s back. He knew he had to stop throwing everything in Trick’s face. He’d apologized more than once and he’d even said he’d tried to forgive him. But the intimacy during sex had opened more emotions than Joey could have imagined. The hole he’d felt inside of him for so long had shrunk slightly. Almost as though those moments with Trick were filling more than just his body. Truthfully, it scared the shit out of him.

Until these last few days, he hadn’t even realized just how much of a wall he’d erected to the world and the people around him. He hadn’t truly let anyone in over the years. No relationships beyond what someone could do for him in bed. Hell, he barely had any friends beyond his co-workers and those were only for basketball games and going out clubbing to find his next conquest.

Swallowing hard, Joey rested his forehead on Trick’s shoulder. “I’m not trying to guilt trip you, Trick. It’s just really hard to let go of what happened in a few days of hearing an apology and realizing things weren’t what they seemed back then.”

“I get it,” Trick said, his voice soft. “I’m not trying to push you, but I just need to know if you can give it a chance. You and me, I mean.”

Joey lifted his head to look at Trick, studying the firm lines of his tanned features. He knew he wanted to. God, how he wanted to. The question which chased its tail in his head was, could he? Could he let go of everything and give Trick that chance he asked for? Anger at Trick had driven him for so long. Now that his anger was fading, Joey’s insecurities reared their ugly headinside of him. Something which he hadn’t allowed to affect him since his first year of college before his trip to the hospital.

Hope warred with uncertainty in the deep sapphires Joey couldn’t get enough of. Despite everything, Joey knew he couldn’t hurt Trick. If Trick truly wanted to be with him, he’d try. Once. He wouldn’t have another one in him if Trick reverted to the boy he’d been in high school. “We need to slow down,” Joey finally said, his voice shaky. “Okay?”

Trick let out a deep breath and nodded. “I can do that. It really wasn’t my intention to get you into bed tonight, Joey. You’re just so fucking sexy that you make it hard to keep my hands to myself.”

Joey chuckled. “I think you’ve got that reversed.”

“If we hadn’t already said we’d slow down, I’d show you just how wrong you are,” Trick growled, his eyes almost glowing with lust. He nuzzled at Joey’s throat for a second, then released him, lying back down. Patting the bed, Trick said, “Lie down. I’ve gotta be up in a couple hours.”

Joey did as Trick said, biting back a groan when Trick wrapped himself around him. “What happened to slow?” he asked.

“Just wanted to hug my body pillow while I fall asleep,” Trick replied innocently.

He let the subject go and listened to Trick’s breathing even out while he remained wide awake. His mind raced, his anxiety level sky high, leaving him unable to sleep. Thoughts circled around in his brain like a toy train.

The alarm on Trick’s phone startled him, and Joey realized he hadn’t slept at all. Trick mumbled something, tightened his hold on Joey for a second, and then rolled over to turn off his alarm. “Morning,” Trick said, yawning.

Joey returned his greeting, watching Trick stumble into the bathroom. He slid from the bed, located his clothing anddressed, perching on the edge of the mattress to wait. When Trick exited the bathroom, Joey went in, relieved himself, washed his hands and used some of Trick’s mouth wash. Trick was already in the small kitchen when Joey left the bedroom. “Ready to go?” Trick asked.

Nodding, Joey headed toward the door, but Trick stopped him before he could open it. “Are we okay?”

“We’re good,” Joey said.

“We can hit the Dunkin’ Donuts drive through before I drop you at your parents’ place.”

“Sure.” Joey preceded Trick out of the apartment and a few minutes later, they were in Trick’s truck on the way to grab coffee before heading to Joey’s parents’ house. They didn’t speak much. Joey spent most of the time lost in his thoughts about the night before, the things they’d talked about, and what it all meant.

When they reached his parents’ place, Trick placed a hand on Joey’s arm to halt his exiting the truck. “Will I see you tonight?”

“I should spend some more time with my family,” Joey said, but when Trick’s face fell, disappointment clear, he added, “Come to dinner tonight.”

Trick brightened slightly. “Sure.”

Joey exited the truck and closed the door. When he reached the front porch, he stopped and turned to watch Trick leave. Once Trick disappeared around the corner, Joey sighed and entered his parents’ home. His mother was already in the kitchen, a cup of coffee on the table in front of her. She gave him a knowing look as he kissed her temple and bid her good morning. “Trick is coming to dinner tonight.”

“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll see if Anthony and Veronica want to join us as well.”

“I’m going to go for a run,” Joey said before heading upstairs to change. He needed to clear his head, and running helpedwhen he couldn’t use sex. Sex had him in the discombobulated mental mess he found himself in, so it wouldn’t help.

The moment his sneakers hit the pavement, Joey heaved a deep breath and started jogging. What the hell had happened? He’d only been home three days and everything he’d thought of in the car on the way had gone out the window. His entire perception of his past turned upside down, and he didn’t have a fucking clue how to process it.

There was no way he and Trick could ever have a future together. Their lives were in two separate places. Joey shook his head, irritated at himself for even thinking some of the things he was. Sex was the simple part. It was all the other shit which complicated everything. He’d truly believed he’d eliminated the feelings he’d had for Trick. How could he not when he’d lived and breathed hatred for Trick for so long? But now… now he questioned everything he’d ever thought about himself and what he felt.

Sweat poured off Joey as he wound his way through the familiar streets. Cars passed him from time to time. He’d chosen his rock playlist on Spotify to run to. WhenSign of Lifeby Motionless in White began playing, Joey’s pace slowed a fraction. The song embodied many of the emotions he felt toward Trick. He knew he’d done what he’d sworn he wouldn’t. Trick had worked his way back into Joey’s heart. But Joey had to be honest with himself. Had Trick ever even left his heart?

Sighing, Joey turned the corner and headed home. Maybe he was overthinking everything. It was just sex. Right?

After a shower and a change of clothing, Joey went downstairs to spend the rest of the day with his parents, much like the day before. He tried to stuff down his uncertainties and thoughts about Trick, but the man was never far from his thoughts.

Anthony showed up close to dinnertime, walking in and calling out a greeting. When he entered the kitchen, Joey stood at the counter cutting veggies. “Where’s Veronica?” their mother asked, frowning.