Page 73 of The Guy Next Door
“I’m sorry,” Max says, surely because he notices the awkward-ass way I’m answering this. “None of my business really. I’m gonna shut up now.” He shoves a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
“I needed some time off,” I say. “Life stuff.”
“So what exactly is the goal of racquetball?” Zane pipes up from beside me.
It’s a wild transition, but damn, even with everyone’s expressions twisting up, I’m appreciative he just saved my ass.
“You don’t know how racquetball works?” Ilsa asks.
“I’ve seen people play it, and like, I know they aren’t competing against the wall, but is it like…they’re on the same team against the ball? Or are they competing against each other? I’ve heard of the sport enough you’d think I’d know by this point in my life.”
They exchange looks before laughing again.
I’m relieved at how easily that moves the conversation into safer territory as they take turns explaining the rules of racquetball. After my fumble with Max’s question, I’m appreciative that Max and Ilsa keep the conversation on lighter topics, since there are certain things in my life I’d rather not get into right now. Fortunately, that doesn’t keep us from having a good time. Our guests are generous in their praise for thefood, and eventually, they help us clean up before heading out. As soon as I close the door, I turn around, and Zane comes at me, his body forcing me back against the door as his lips smash against mine, tasting of mint.
“Mmm…” he says, “you still taste like that mint chocolate mousse.”
I snicker. “Funny. I was thinking the same about you.”
He moans as he kisses me again. “I should get a reward for how good I was through that whole thing. Are you proud of me for people-ing?”
“Very proud.”
“They helped us clean up, so why don’t we head up to bed, and I’ll show you how proud I am of the host of the night?” His hands lower to my ass, perking my dick right up.
“I like the sound of that. Then you want to do something really lazy? Maybe watch a movie or something?”
His smile returns. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
We head up to my bedroom and don’t waste time. Zane grabs the lube, and we get to it. Fuck, the guy knows how to give it to me every damn time. After we come, we shower off together. I brush my teeth, offering him a spare I got at the dentist office on my last visit. I’m already in bed when he finishes up and joins me, wearing only his boxers.
As I scroll through Netflix, I say, “So this is your first night in my room for something other than fucking around. What do you normally watch?”
“Horror. Thrillers.”
“Really? Horror? With everything that’s going on?”
He shrugs. “I’d rather see someone else’s life going to shit than think about my own.”
“I guess we deal with stress very differently. I prefer a lighthearted comedy. Will Ferrell. Maybe Seth Rogen.”
“Those are such dude movies. Tell me you want to watchFast and Furiousmovies, and I’ll suck you off again right now.”
I laugh. “Now you’re getting where I’m at.”
“Fuck me,” he says, tapping the back of his head against the headboard. “You have the most stereotypical straight-man taste ever.”
“I like escapist things that’ll make me hopeful about the world.”
“That shit only makes me feel even worse.”
“How didn’t I know this about you already?” I ask.
“Like you said earlier tonight, we haven’t really known each other that long.”
“But I know you pretty well.”
He narrows his eyes. “You know my dick pretty well.”