Page 24 of Overeager (Extra Credit #1)

Still, he pulled out his phone, requesting a video call.

Eli picked up on the second ring. “Noah?”

He was lying in bed propped on some pillows, wearing his glasses—he’d probably been reading his book. He looked so cute and cozy that it made Noah’s chest ache.

“Hi, baby,” Noah said, as soft as he could and still be heard over the music pounding outside the door. “Is it too late to call?” He hadn’t checked the time, but he knew it was well after midnight.

Eli shook his head, even though his eyes were heavy-lidded with fatigue. “No, I wasn’t sleeping.”

“Is that my sweatshirt?”

Eli’s cheeks flushed a pretty pink. “Mm-hmm. It smells like you.” Fuck that was hot. Eli wearing Noah’s clothes when he wasn’t around, trying to catch his scent. “How’s the party?”

It was Eli who’d encouraged Noah to go when Chase had texted him about some guy he’d been on the lacrosse team with throwing a rager.

Noah had been about to bow out, but Eli had told him he couldn’t hide away with his older boyfriend all the time, that he needed to keep experiencing the typical college stuff so he didn’t regret it later.

The only thing Noah regretted was not being in Eli’s bed right now. He’d done plenty of partying his first two years of college, all amped up to finally be away from family obligations, with nothing to be responsible for except his own damn self. He was over it at this point.

“It’s fine. Boring. Want you here.” Jesus. Apparently Spencer wasn’t the only one turning into a pouty drunk.

Eli laughed softly. “I don’t think I’d be much fun at a college party.”

“We’d make it fun.” Noah grinned, waggling his eyebrows. “Find a dark corner and put you on my lap.”

Eli cocked his head with a sly smile. “Are you drunk, sweetheart?”

Sweetheart. Noah liked that. He liked that a lot.

“Maybe a little.” Probably more than a little, but Noah didn’t want Eli to worry. He sighed. “Wanna be touching you.”

“Yeah?” Eli shifted, his arm moving something out of sight. “I’d like to be touching you too.”

“What’s your hand doing over there?” Noah narrowed his eyes, as if that might help him zoom in on the action through the screen.

The pink in Eli’s cheeks darkened. “Nothing.”

“Show me.”

Eli huffed, but he tilted his phone down until his lower half was revealed to Noah. He lifted Noah’s sweatshirt, which was at least three sizes too big on him, to reveal his hand shoved inside his briefs.

Noah groaned, leaning against the laundry room door as all the blood rushed south. “Which part of you are you touching, baby? Your hole?”

“Uh-uh.” Eli bit at his lower lip. “That’s for you.”

Fuck. Just hearing that made Noah’s dick hard. “You stroking yourself, then?”

Eli shook his head shyly. “Just touching. Like I said, the sweatshirt smells like you.”

And being surrounded by Noah’s scent was making Eli horny. God.

“Do it,” Noah urged. “Stroke yourself. Make yourself come for me. It’ll help you sleep.”

As if that was the reason for Noah encouraging Eli to jerk himself off over the phone. Altruism.

But apparently Eli didn’t need much encouragement, anyway. His wrist began moving as he gave in to Noah’s pleas. But the fabric in the way was making it some sort of horrible tease.

“Push your underwear down, baby. Wanna see.”

Eli tugged at the waistline of his briefs, pushing until the band was under his balls, revealing his perfect, pretty pink dick to Noah’s gaze.

He didn’t put on a show, didn’t act coy or seductive.

He just jerked himself urgently, like maybe he missed having Noah in his bed as much as Noah missed being there.

Noah would bet Eli was soaked.

“You’re so pretty, Eli.”

Eli made some wordless sound of protest, but his motions sped up, his hips lifting into his touch. If Noah was there, he’d push them back down, force Eli to take only what he was given, if only to hear the little whimpers of protest he’d make.

But Noah wasn’t there. So instead he crooned, “That’s it. So perfect, baby. Take what you need.”

Eli did, and it didn’t take long for him to come with a muffled groan, one Noah echoed at the gorgeous, filthy sight of Eli’s cum coating his fist.

Eli was panting as he tugged his underwear all the way off and used it to wipe his hand, muttering about damp fabric. He looked sleepy and flushed and pleased. “What about you though?”

Noah palmed his hard dick through his jeans. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself when I get home. Or I could come over?” he asked hopefully.

For a second, it looked like Eli would give in, but then he shook his head regretfully. “You should stay with your roommates tonight. They miss you.”

“Yeah.” Noah sighed. “You’re right. I wish you could meet them,” he said, the alcohol making him loose-lipped. “They’d think you’re so sweet and pretty. And I think—think you’d like them too. Even Spencer. He’s a shit, but he’s got a good heart.”

“They sound lovely,” Eli told him. “Really.”

Noah frowned down at the floor. “Want them to know you.”

“Eventually. I promise.” Eli tugged the covers over himself, his brow furrowing. “It’s getting to you, isn’t it? The secrecy?”

“A little. Just too drunk, I think. I miss them, but now I miss you too. Want you all in one big room.”

Noah needed to stop talking now. He was being unfair, and he knew it. Eli couldn’t do anything to change their circumstances, and the more people who knew about them, the riskier it would be for his job.

But Eli didn’t call Noah out about it. He only hummed thoughtfully, then said, “You know the only thing I really liked about college parties? The dancing. I think you should find your roommates and dance your heart out, till you’re not feeling so down.

Drink a bottle or two of water while you’re at it, because I think you might need it.

And then if you still think the party’s boring, drag them home and cuddle in with a movie.

You guys can have a big hangover brunch in the morning, soak up all the booze you’re gonna be regretting. ”

It sounded pretty fun when Eli put it that way. Like this was less a stupid party and more a vehicle for Noah to bond with his friends. And Spence would never say no to a movie and a cuddle. Plus, Noah kind of liked the idea of following Eli’s secret orders to have a good night.

“And then I can come over?” he asked hopefully. “Tomorrow?”

“Yeah, sweetheart.” Eli giggled. “Then you can come over.”

Noah grinned dopily. “I like when you call me that.”

Eli looked almost embarrassed, tucking his bottom lip between his teeth. “Well, you are sweet. And you do have a big heart.” He cleared his throat with a frown. “It’s been hard on you, keeping the two parts of your life separate. I’m sorry.”

“It feels better now.” Noah was still a little out of it—dizzy and tired—but he also felt … lighter. Like a bit of weight had been taken off. “Just talking to you feels better.”

“I’m so glad, sweetheart. Go have fun, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Noah ended the call, trying not to mourn the loss. He’d have fun with his friends, and then he’d see Eli tomorrow.

It was fine. The secrecy was fine.