Page 26 of Fake Dates and Home Plates (Way Off Base #1)
“You can fuck my face,” I tell him with a smile before I swallow him until I’m choking.
His hands weave into my hair, holding me against him as he thrusts shallowly into my mouth. He starts gently, doing his best not to hurt me.
But we both like a little pain with our pleasure. So, holding the bat against my clit, I force myself down his length until my nose is pressed against the skin there.
“Oh, fuck,” he moans as he pulls me off of him by my hair. “You’re so desperate to swallow my cum that you’re forgetting what else you’re supposed to be doing.”
Little does he know, this is getting me off just as quickly as he is. I grind myself against the bat a little more obviously, putting on a show for him. He watches me with heat in his eyes as I keep going.
“That's it, make yourself come,” he tells me before grabbing my hair roughly and forcing himself back between my lips. “What a good slut, listening to instructions.”
That has me convulsing against the metal and moaning around him.
“Fuck, let me see, Henley. Show me how you soaked it.”
I look up at him with a smile in my eyes, pulling the bat from between us and showing him the evidence of my orgasm.
“Good girl. I’m going to paint your tongue with my cum. You want that?” he asks.
My head nods just slightly while my free hand gives him a thumbs up. He pumps his hips forward a couple more times before pulling out of my mouth. Removing one hand from my hair, he strokes himself, and I stick out my tongue.
Theo tightens the hand still on my head, making my scalp burn. He comes, and I wait until he backs away before I close my mouth.
I moan as I swallow, wiping the corners of my mouth before sucking my finger clean. Then, I open wide, showing him I took every drop.
“You’re so fucking beautiful. Now, where are your towels? I want to make sure the paint gets cleaned off you before you get an infection.”
Looking down, I can see none of the paint got on me, but I let him clean me up anyway. Then, I brush my hair and change clothes so I don’t look freshly face-fucked before I show up at my parents’ house.
The last lyrics of a Taking Back Sunday song filter through the speakers of Theo’s Jeep as we pull up outside my childhood home. I can see his fingers drumming nervously against the steering wheel.
“Are you nervous?”
This isn’t the first time he's met my parents, but it is the first time it’ll be just the four of us. I want to reassure him it’ll be fine, because I know it will, but this is the first time I’ve had a boyfriend over for dinner.
He shrugs. “Maybe a little? I want them to like me.”
Reaching over, I run my hand through his hair. “They already like you. I’m not sure how to warn you about them, though. I’ve never brought a guy home, so I don’t know what the interrogation tactics will be.”
Theo takes a deep breath. “I guess we should go in and find out.”
As we walk through the door, the smell of dinner has my stomach growling. My mom rushes to greet us, throwing her arms around us both so quickly, we aren’t able to react.
“It’s so good to see you again, Theo,” she says as she steps back to examine us, her eyes briefly catching on our entwined hands.
Theo’s cheeks tint pink, but he recovers quickly, offering his hand. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for having me.”
“Ma’am.” Mom scoffs. “You can call me Kate.”
Dad isn’t far behind, wrapping me in a hug. “There’s my little champion.”
Then, he addresses Theo, shaking his hand firmly before pulling him into an embrace and clapping him on the back. “And I told you last time to call me Kris, so don’t even bother with the Mr. Harkin bullshit or I’ll burn your dinner on purpose.”
Even if he doesn’t realize it, Theo has already won over my parents. Anyone who shows up for me the way he has this season is a keeper in their eyes.
“Should we sit on the patio for dinner? I’m grilling steak while Mom finishes the twice-baked potatoes,” Dad says as he leads us outside.
My mouth is watering, ready for a home-cooked meal. I help set the table while my dad asks Theo about the upcoming baseball season, a conversation that continues as we’re sitting around the table, enjoying our dinner.
“So, after graduation, do you plan to go into the major league?” Dad asks.
I’ve heard the answer and yet, my stomach drops a little at the reality. What happens if he has to move to another state? The closest team, the Burbank Bobcats, is only a couple of hours away, but there’s no way of knowing where he’ll end up.
Would we do long distance?
“Yes, sir. If they’ll have me, that’s where I’m headed,” Theo confirms as he reaches over and squeezes my knee, trying to comfort me.
Mom looks over before smiling politely at Theo. “Kris is a big Bobcats fan. Maybe we’ll get a chance to see you play at our favorite stadium.”
She’s right. My dad has loved the Bobcats since childhood. His dad used to take him as a kid. Her comment isn’t just for Theo; it’s a way to reassure me no matter what, there are ways to make this thing between us work.
I exhale a breath.
“I’d love to wear that Bobcat blue, but for now, I’m ready to put my all into my last college season.”
“Kate and I plan to come watch you play, kiddo,” Dad tells him while cutting another bite of steak. Picking the meat up with his fork, he points it at me. “Let us know if you need us to get you a ticket, Henley.”
My heart feels so full, it might burst. Not because my dad is including me in their plans —I’m used to that —but because he’s already considering Theo part of the family. He’s calling him ‘kiddo’ and planning to attend a sporting event that is months away.
“Umm, that won’t be necessary,” Theo tells him while rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve already reserved season tickets for her near first base. Well, the home games at least.”
He looks over at me with a shy smile before turning back to my dad. “Let me know which games you plan to come to, and I’ll see if I can get a couple more.”
My parents are grinning like lunatics while I’m still in shock. Theo reserved a ticket for me at every home game, and that makes me so damn happy, I want to find a reason to leave dinner early and go home with him.
“Can’t wait to see you in the HVU colors,” he says with a teasing smile.
Besides my cross-country uniform, I don’t wear many colors. For him, though, I might be tempted to wear some blue and gold. I roll my eyes, pretending otherwise. “Not a chance, Baseball Boy.”
“Will your parents be able to see some of your last college games?” Mom asks Theo.
My gut churns for him; I know the answer.
“Probably not. We’re not close, and they think baseball is a waste of my time,” Theo says with a shrug. “I’ll be lucky if they make it out for the graduation ceremony.”
I hate that he’s used to it, that it’s normal to know his parents won’t show up for him.
I hear the huff my mom makes, a sign she’s holding her tongue. I’m surprised, but I guess she’s trying to be on her best behavior tonight.
My dad, on the other hand, doesn’t hold back at all. “Fuck ‘em then.”
I choke on my food, coughing loudly. Theo claps me on the back to help and then laughs. “That’s how I feel too.”
I slide my hand under the table until I find his knee, squeezing once.
Mom’s eyes soften. “Well, you’re welcome here any time. Our door is always open.”
Theo’s throat works like he’s trying to swallow around something, but he manages a small smile. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Later, while I’m helping my mom clean the dishes, she tells me, “Love looks good on you, Henley.”
I’m shocked by her words. “We just started dating, Mom.”
She scoffs. “And? I knew I loved your dad on our second date. He knew on our first.”
I’ve heard the story a hundred times. For a moment, I consider her words.
“It’s too fast.” I shake my head at her.
She smiles. “Maybe. Doesn’t change the fact that you love him. And it certainly doesn’t change the fact that Theo is head over heels in love with you. I could tell by the way he showed up for you at the first meet this season.”
Rolling my eyes, I don’t tell her it was all for show, that we were still pretending. She and Dad have no idea we were faking it.
None of that matters, though. Because when we’re driving home, and Theo starts to sing along to a song from my playlist, I accept that my mom is right.
I’m in love with Theo Barlowe, and he just might love me too.