Page 31

JAY

The stage lit up as if the sun had been caged and contained directly above it. The huge LED screens played an impressive reel of various different games that were all up for Game of the Year award. I sat at a round table close to the stage, an empty plate in front of me which had been home to one of the best damn steaks I’d ever eaten. Maddy sat next to me. She leaned into Colt on her other side, his arm thrown around his wife’s shoulders as he took a sip of the champagne.

“Jay, you inhaled that meal,” Ryan’s dad said from across the table.

“And honestly I think I still have room for another.”

Ryan’s mom, Mary, shook her head. “If I had an ounce of your metabolism I think all would be right in this world.”

I laughed and shook my head. “It’s a curse, trust me.”

She narrowed her sharp hazel eyes at me before cracking a wide smile. She played with the shining gold necklace that rested on her beautiful sapphire dress. “Well let me know whatever ancient Egyptian tomb you opened up for that particular curse. I’ll gladly take a trip.”

Chris leaned in and kissed his wife on the cheek. “You’re perfect the way you are.”

I could see a blush form on Mary’s cheeks. She smiled and sat back in her chair, looking at her husband with the adoration reserved for someone deeply in love even after years and years of being together.

Even if someone had told me back in college that I’d be hanging out and chatting with the Redpines as if they were my own family, I would have laughed in their face and dance my ass away from their delusional selves.

Joke would have been on me, though.

It all happened pretty quickly. The day of that beachside protest, almost seven years ago now, had been one of the most fateful days of my life. I remember thinking that Chris Redpine had come to shut it all down, and then I remembered the bone-deep pain I felt when I realized Chris and Ryan’s relationship was a taught thread away from snapping.

Whatever I said that day must have landed directly in Chris’ core. He had become a changed man from that moment on. He stayed to watch the protest and a couple weeks later we found out his company had pulled out of the oil drilling project entirely. They were the majority financial backers, which meant the environmentally destructive plan was effectively dead in the water .

All thanks to Chris.

After that, even more changes began to occur. He started to divest from all the problematic companies he backed, from all the projects I would have protested against. Then he began shifting that money toward green projects and conservation efforts.

It was incredible to watch. And what was even more incredible was seeing Ryan and his dad grow closer than ever before. I could see the pride radiating from both of them, knowing that both father and son were on the right side of history.

“Jay’s always had that going for him,” my mom chimed in. She was sitting to my left, looking like a glamorous old-timey movie star. Her silver dress shimmered with every move, her long brown hair falling over her shoulders like shimmering cascades.

“You raised a wonderful son, Mariela,” Chris said.

“As did you,” my mom replied. She lifted her glass of champagne toward the center of the table. “Cheers, to not messing up this parenthood thing.”

We all clinked our glasses together as the host of the awards show took to the stage. The audience simmered down, conversations ceasing as he grabbed the mic. The lights began to dim. The screen on the stage transitioned into a huge, scrawling title: Game Of The Year Award.

The host cleared her throat. “Thank you all for spending an evening with us. I hope you’ve all had an incredible time. Now, without further ado, it’s time to present the award of the night. Here are the nominees.” She moved to the side of the stage, the screen drawing everyone’s attention.

The trailers began to play. It wasn’t until the very last one that my heart began to crash into my ribcage.

It was Ryan’s game. A mix of action and roleplaying, set in a fictional land that I helped him develop. The main characters were gay, which had caused a huge stir in the gaming world. It didn’t affect sales, though. Dreams of Lilies ended up outselling some of the biggest games out there. It had cemented Ryan as a lead game designer and fulfilled one of his biggest dreams.

I became teary eyed as the trailer ended and the host took center stage. She had a scarlet red envelope in her hands. The room was quiet. The tear of the envelope followed. She lifted out the golden piece of paper and smiled as she read the winner.

“Dreams of Lilies!”

My jaw dropped. Our table broke out into loud cheers and hoots and claps. He’d done it. My baby had won the biggest award in the gaming industry. The screen changed, showing the title with a burst of flowers growing up from the bottom. Ryan was still backstage, having won the award prior to this one.

He came out to a room of standing applause. Behind him were some of the other people involved in making the game, but my eyes were glued to my man.

He beamed bright as the stage lights surrounding him.

The presenter handed over the award as Ryan took his spot behind the podium. The cheering died down as he began to speak. His eyes found mine. He shot me a wink, which nearly catapulted me up through the ceiling.

“Wow,” he said. He looked down at the award as if he were looking at a newborn. “Just wow.”

He lifted his gaze back up and wiped away a rogue tear. “This right here is an absolute dream come true. I want to first thank the amazing team that helped bring Dreams of Lilies to life. I also want to point out that through the success of this game, we’ve been able to raise close to a million dollars for various conservation efforts all around the globe. So thank you!” He raised the award over his head as the room broke out into more applause and cheers. “I also want to thank my parents for being here and being some of my biggest cheerleaders. I also want to thank my incredible partner, Jay.”

I could feel myself melting into the chair. I smiled at him as he found my gaze again.

Proud didn’t even cut it. I remembered us in college, when he couldn’t even fathom a moment like this happening.

My heart swelled to be the size of the ballroom.

“Jay, you have lifted me, pushed me, walked with me, and loved me every step of the way along this journey. I couldn’t have ever done this without you. Thank you. I love you. And I’m so proud of you. Head of a non-profit, making huge changes, and still kicking ass with every acting role you land.”

Now I was the one wiping tears from my eyes.

The music kicked back up and Ryan was lead to the stairs. He strode over to our table wearing the biggest smile, being wrapped up in a hug by his parents. He got a big kiss on his cheek from his mom before handing her the award and stepping around them, coming straight for me.

Our lips smashed together, the rush of the night catching up to us. “Congratulations, baby.”

“Thank you,” he said, green eyes sparkling like a collection of bright stars. Colton slapped his shoulders and Maddy was still clapping for him. My mom also showered him in praise.

This moment felt destined. Written down in stone long before any of us could even picture it .

“Come,” Ryan said, hand twining with mine. “Let’s go get some drinks.”

“Let’s,” I said.

“We’ll be right back,” he told the celebrating table.

He led me away. His pace surprised me. I didn’t realize he needed a drink that badly. But I guess after winning such a massive award, it was a necessary thing.

“How are you feeling?” I asked him as we wove through the tables, random claps and cheers for Ryan rising from the gathered crowd. There were a couple sour faces but they were drowned out by all the smiling ones.

“Like I’m walking on the god damned moon.”

Before we got to the bar, Ryan made a left turn. It surprised me. “Is there another bar?”

“Not that I know of.”

“So where are we going?”

“Taking a little detour.” He smirked, those clusters of stars turning even brighter somehow. Ahead of us were the bathrooms. It all started to make sense. And I started to get hard.

He walked in first. I followed right behind him. The bathroom appeared empty. The stalls were all open. We crossed the white marble floor and went for the last stall. I already knew what Ryan was getting at, and I was all for it.

We stumble into the stall, kissing and touching each other. He shut the door behind him and locked it, his hands encompassing my face as his kiss swept me away on a glittering river.

“I needed this. You. My biggest prize.”

Heat flushed up my neck, warming my cheeks. The button-up shirt and sports jacket I wore felt way too tight. Way too constricting .

Ryan reached down and grabbed my bulge in his hand, squeezing, kissing, rutting against me.

Dismantling me. Piece by piece.

I nuzzled into his neck, nipping and moaning, trying to keep quiet even though we were still alone. “I knew you were going to win.”

“Thank you for always believing in me.” Ryan began to unclasp my belt with nimble fingers. My entire body thrummed with a deep-seated need. I had a flash to the night we’d first met, at the frat party. Even back then I responded to his touch with electricity only reserved for lightning bolts and power lines. Explosive. I nearly turned to ash when he had pressed against me to help me at beer pong.

And seven years later, nothing’s changed.

I knew it never would.

Ryan’s hand glided down my sides. I hesitated as they moved closer to my pockets. Shit, don’t touch that one.

Instead of running any lower, he hitched his fingers into the waistband and moved over to my belt buckle. He undid my belt and unzipped my pants, dropping them to my ankles. “I need to have you, baby.”

“Then have me.” I fisted my hard cock. My light blue briefs turned dark from how much I was already leaking.

“Are you ok with me fucking you?”

The blinding bolt of lightning crashed across my vision. My balls tightened at his words.

“Yes,” I said in hardly a whisper. “Yes, please.”

Normally I needed a little more than a hope, a prayer, and a wad of spit on his dick; mainly I needed lube. But it was pretty interesting how the human body could adapt to a multitude of situations. Specifically getting railed by your man in a bathroom stall. I was so turned on just by the walk to the bathroom that I could already tell my body needed minimal prep to get the party started.

But Ryan, being the caring partner he was, still took care in getting me ready for his dick.

The clinking sound of his belt coming undone filled the empty bathroom. He dropped his pants, revealing that the cocky motherfucker wasn’t even wearing underwear. He had accepted Game of the Year award fully commando.

God, I loved him.

Our lips locked again. I pushed against him, our stiff dicks rubbing together. He paused for a moment, getting his fingers wet before reaching behind me and rubbing them through my crack. He teased my hole, sending shockwaves of pleasure rumbling out from his touch.

He took such care with me, even though both of us were turning feral with lust. I closed my eyes and let him explore, let him push, let him probe. The gentleness that hovered over a barely contained fiery red passion was hotter to me than anything else.

I was lucky when I got kicked out of school.

I was lucky when I had to come home and face what I’d been dreading.

I was lucky when I had to room with someone who I’d assume was my arch-nemesis.

And I was blessed when I let down all my walls and let Ryan in.

Everything happens for a ? —

I couldn’t even finish the thought. Fiery hot pleasure flowed through me like magma as Ryan pushed his finger deep inside me, rubbing my swollen P-spot. My eyes rolled back and all thoughts turned to: Need to have him. Need him inside me.

RYAN

Fuck, I was beyond in love with this man.

Jay was my everything, and I wanted to give him my everything.

I sucked on his neck as I fingered him. His body opened for me, like a lily unfurling under the spring sun.

I had won possibly the biggest award of my entire career and all I could really think about was how fucking blessed I was to be sharing this moment with the man who held my entire heart in his hands.

And also my entire cock. He slowly stroked me as I pushed deeper, down to my third knuckle. Still, it wasn’t enough. Not for either of us.

Jay tilted his head back, pink marks from my kisses on his neck. He was handsome and beautiful all in the same stroke of a paintbrush. He’d gotten a little more full as we aged: his cheeks nice and round, his shoulders and chest a little wider, his stomach less flat, a little hairier.

I loved it. Every inch of his body was pure perfection. Both this form of Jay as I knew him and the lithe college kid as I remembered him .

“Are you ready?” I asked him.

He locked eyes with mine. All he did was nod, a sexy smirk playing on his face.

Jay turned around and put his hands up on the clean white stall. He arched his back and popped his ass out. Such a juicy fucking ass. I dropped into a squat and buried my face in it, licking him and getting him even more ready for me. I kissed and bit at his cheeks. He rewarded me with more moans, these louder than the last, slightly echoing in the empty bathroom.

I stood and lined my throbbing cock up with his hole, spitting on it. My cock glistened as I spread the spit. He looked back, his puppy-dog eyes going wide as I slipped in with a gentle thrust.

The velvet-hot heat that enveloped me gave me the same kind of rush I had walking onto the stage to accept my award.

“How’s that?”

“So fucking good,” Jay answered. I could hear the plea in his voice. He wanted more.

I thrust harder, harder . His moans grew louder. I kept an ear out for anyone entering the bathroom. My hands gripped his hips, pushing him back on me. His ass had a bounce to it as I fucked him.

I leaned forward, holding his throat with one hand. “Take it, baby. Tell me how much you want my cock.”

“I want it. Keep giving it to me. Ooooh fuc ?—“

The bathroom door opened. Two men casually chatted with each other. Jay and I both instantly froze, my cock balls deep inside of Jay’s ass.

He gave me a wiggle as he looked back at me with such a mischievous glint in his eye. I put a finger to his mouth, pretending to shush him. He popped it between his lips and sucked.

“You’re bad,” I whispered.

The stall was built with the walls going all the way down to the floor. No one could see us.

I slowly pulled back and pushed in. Over and over. Slow, soft, the two of us swallowing down the moans and groans that fought their way to our lips.

I couldn’t hold myself back. One more thrust and I reached the edge. I leaned in and whispered as low as I could. “I’m about to come.”

“Me too,” he responded, jerking himself off even faster.

The whoosh of the hand dryer filled the space right as I bit back a loud moan. My body shook as my balls emptied. The dryer stopped and I heard a few drops of Jay’s cum hit the wall. His body quivered and shook around me, his hole clenching around my still hard dick.

The bathroom doors closed, leaving us alone again.

“Fuuuuck,” I said in a loud exhale. Jay started to chuckle, pulling off of me with an audible ‘plop’. He turned to me, smiling so wide he had dimples forming. His cheeks were strawberry red, his cock still dripping cum.

“That was really hot.”

I grinned kissing him, slowly stroking his sexy, leaking dick. “ You’re really fucking hot.”

“I’ll take it,” Jay said with a wink. “Now put your pants on, it’s my turn to surprise you.”

I arched a brow and cocked my head. Suspicious as I pulled my pants back up, tucking my shirt in and straightening up my blazer. “Surprise? ”

Jay always loved his surprises.

“Mhmm.” Jay leaned in for another kiss. He tucked his softening dick back into his underwear. When we wiped the wall clean and were back to being presentable we stepped out of the stall, seconds before another man entered.

“Ryan! My man, congratulations on the win. You and your team deserved it.” He clapped me on the shoulder.

Could he see the sex-flush across my face?

“Thanks Greg, it was an honor being nominated alongside you.”

He walked right into the stall Jay and I were in. We gave each other sneaky grins and left the bathroom hand-in-hand.

Jay led me through the busy lobby of the theater we were in. Well-dressed people surrounded the open bar, loosening their ties and chatting about the evening. Jay took a hard left, toward the glass doors that opened up to a massive, star-lit lake. Most people were still gathered inside but a few milled about the tall tables with champagne, lit up by a dozen or so warm lamps.

And was that?—

Jay turned me around. We stood by the edge of the lake. Sun beamed down on him and made his tan skin glow like the prize I had left inside.

There wasn’t any apparent surprise around, though. Unless he had something hiding by the sparse trees? Or in the lake? He fumbled with something in his pocket.

“Jay…”

Before I could ask anything else, Jay revealed the surprise.

He dropped to one knee. My heart stopped beating. He pulled out the black velvet box from his pocket. My heart kicked back up again.

“Ryan, you are my everything. You’ve always been my everything. I want you to keep being my everything. You’ve seen me fall, you’ve picked me back up, and you’ve seen and helped me grow from it. I want to keep making corny jokes with you, and waking up next to you, and hearing you mumble your witchy sleep-talking.

I want to keep you in my heart for the rest of time.” He opened the box and a shiny gold band glittered inside. “Will you marry me?”

I never had answered something as quickly as this. “Yes, Jay, abso-fucking-lutely, yes.”

He slipped the ring on my finger. Perfect fit.

He got up to his feet and kissed me, deep and passionate. “I love you.”

“I love you,” I said, kissing his forehead. “Perfect timing, too.”

“Huh?” He asked.

“Well now the children you’re cooking up won’t come to a broken home.”

Jay rolled his eyes and followed it with a snort. “You’re wild. I can’t wait to hear your jokes for the rest of my life.”

Cheering and clapping and wooting sounded from behind me. I turned right as I was hit with a crushing hug from Colton, Maddy quickly jumping onto the pile. Behind them were my parents with Jay’s mom, who wiped away tears.

I knew I spotted them standing against the glass.

We soaked in the joy and the excitement. There was a time in my life when I couldn’t have even imagined this moment. Would have no idea what kind of shape it would take, or how it would even happen.

But the day I met Jay changed it all for me. He was the stone thrown into my placid lake. He didn’t cause ripples through my life.

He’d caused waves.

And I wanted to ride each and every one of them.

With my fiancé .

THE END

Thank you so much for reading LEVEL UP.