Page 10

I smile to myself as I enter the common room, my heart overflowing with happiness. Yes, there's the fact that Wade and I finally got our shit sorted, talked, and are officially boyfriends—and quite possibly having the hottest sex known to humankind every night of the week.

But it's also this, seeing him here, hanging out with Tex and the others. I'm so glad he asked me a few nights ago if he could come to the next Drop-in Tuesday. "Of course," I told him. "You're welcome anytime, and I'm sure the guys would love it if you did."

I was right. Wade, Tex, and the others are chatting away over a game of pool, and I know they'll look after Wade and give him what he needs to heal and get his life back on track.

I spot Tex approaching and give him a wave. "Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good," he replies with a slightly larger than usual smile. "You seem extra happy lately, mister." His eyes drift over to Wade. "Please remember you're my best friend's son when you answer this question, but is there something going on between you and Wade?"

"Yeah. There is. We're together."

Tex is the first person I've told face-to-face. My parents and my brothers were all stoked, but that was all communicated via texts and messaging. It's nice to speak the words. It makes it more real somehow.

And even though it's still so new and fresh and there are a lot of details to figure out, my brain isn't overloaded or overwhelmed. I'm strangely calm. There's a feeling of rightness to it, to us, that overrides everything else. I'm trusting the universe that everything will fall into place in due course.

"I'm happy for you. Wade's a good guy."

"He is."

Tex turns to face me. "Listen. He's mentioned he's been helping out at Hattie's diner and that she's in dire need of more customers."

"Yeah. When the cafeteria opened here, it swallowed up a lot of their clientele."

"Hmm." Tex rubs his chin. "Leave it with me."

"Leave what with you?"

"Never mind. I should get back to the guys. I'll see you later."

"Yeah. See ya," I say, watching as he rejoins the guys. I have a meeting to attend, so I'll ask Wade what that was about later.

"Oh, hey, today at the center, did Tex mention anything about Hattie?"

Wade stops pounding me. "Seriously, you're asking me this while I'm balls-deep inside you?"

I wince, grateful we're fucking doggy-style so he can't see my face. "Sorry. Bad timing. It just popped into my head." I look over my shoulder and give a sly grin. "Or maybe you're getting lazy and resting on your laurels." His eyes widen, but I keep teasing. "Stop relying on that nine-inch dick, buddy."

"Oh. I'll show you lazy."

He yanks my hair and starts fucking me aggressively. "You like that?"

I arch my back and groan. "Fuck, yeah."

He continues thrusting into me, and as much as I'm enjoying getting my hole stretched out, I'm jolted back to reality. "Wait. Your hip."

"It's fine," he grits out, slapping my ass and tightening his grip on my hair. "I've got a lesson to teach you."

"Are you sure?" He slaps my butt again. "I'll take that as a yes and shut up."

"Good."

The first week we had sex, I was so caught up in what we were doing, I totally forgot about his hip. But after we sat down and talked about it—look, Mom, we're adulting!—he fessed up and told me he can only handle about ten minutes of fucking before it starts hurting him.

Ever since then, I've always set a trusty timer to make sure we never exceed his limit and check in with him more often during. So far, it's proven fruitless. I think his leg could literally be on fire, and he'd still insist he was fine and that we should keep going.

I reach over and grab the timer from the edge of the bed.

1:31

1:30

1:29

I start jerking myself off, meeting each of his thrusts by pushing back a little, hoping it gives him as much pleasure as he gives me.

To say I've never been this wild before is an understatement. But even though Wade brings out this new, adventurous, fun side of me, it still feels like I'm being myself. I'm not putting on an act or becoming someone else, I'm just accessing a part of me that had never been unlocked.

Until him.

We both get off with fourteen seconds to spare. I make sure he's comfortable on the bed, scanning his face for any signs of pain or discomfort. Once I'm confident he's okay, I slip into the bathroom, clean myself up, and grab a washcloth to do the same to him.

His dick is softening but still plump in my hands as I carefully wipe away all the lube. We both got tested last week, and once we got the all clear, we ditched the condoms.

"To answer your question from before," Wade says, stroking my face.

I finish cleaning him off and look up. "I asked a question?"

He chuckles. "About Tex. Hattie."

"Oh, right."

"He did mention her, actually. And we've come up with a plan."

I leave the washcloth on the floor and climb into bed and snuggle next to him. "What sort of plan?"

"You'll see." He circles his finger over my shoulder. "Come down to the diner after work tomorrow and find out."