Page 57 of Attractive Forces

“Logan,” Jake pants into my mouth, and shit, this isn’t going to last long. But when pleasure roars through me, and Jake shudders moments afterward, I find it difficult to care about duration. I’m completely down with short and sweet if it feels like that.

I lie there, trying to regain my breath and get my brain back online.

I suddenly realize Jake’s awfully quiet. My chest restricts. Fuck. He was good with that too, wasn’t he?

“You okay?” I ask.

Jake gives me a sleepy version of his lopsided smile. “I’m beyond okay.”

The tightness in my chest relaxes. “What’s beyond okay?”

“I’m in the territory of awesomeness,” he says.

“Is there room for me there?”

“Oh, you already own loads of property here. In fact, I think you’re the mayor of the place.”

I laugh softly as I pull him to me.

Snuggling with a guy should be weird, right? But somehow, the way Jake rests his head on my shoulder feels so natural. It feels natural to run my hand down his arm, to bury my face in his hair.

This is the most right I’ve ever felt in my life.

* * *

I carrythe confidence and happiness onto the rugby field, and it’s like I can do nothing wrong. Mayer is a tough team, but we make them look like they should be back in kindergarten learning to count and tie their shoelaces.

It helps that I look up halfway in the second stand and see Jake watching me. He’s wearing a beanie pulled down over his face because a southerly front is moving up the country, and it’s shrink-your-balls freezing this afternoon. Just knowing Jake’s here gives me an extra boost.

He’s hunched next to his friend, Chloe, who has brought her laptop to the game and seems to be taking extensive notes.

My mum and dad are a few rows down from Jake, and I know my father won’t have found much from this game to critique me on. Two tries and five out of five goal kicking. Can’t ask for more than that.

As I run off the field, I’m engulfed by people wanting to give me a backslap and praise.

“What a game!” Mr. Hayward comes up to me. “You’ll play for New Zealand one day, mark my words.”

While it’s nice, I’m aware everyone in this town only sees Logan Madison, rugby captain, pastor’s son.

Everyone but Jake. Jake sees the real me.

After the game, Coach gives his usual speech, and I find myself fidgeting impatiently.

Yeah, we did awesome, and yeah, it’s great to reflect on that, but I know Jake’s waiting for me, so I’m like a dog straining on a lead to reach my favorite toy.

Finally, Coach’s spiel is over, and I hurry to my locker to grab the last of my stuff so I can head out.

Suddenly, Brewer materializes by my side like he’s a gifted poltergeist. “Hey, we’re going to Kelso’s to hang out. You want to come?”

I slam my locker shut. “Can’t, sorry.”

“Why not?”

“I’m catching up with Jake.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Well, I wouldn’t want to keep you from Jake.”

My heart starts to pound. I narrow my eyes to a squint. “What’s that supposed to mean?”