Page 21

Shane

I watch as Charlie’s cheeks turn a pretty pink color before I pull my hand back and head down the tunnel.

“There’s our love-struck captain!” Matt calls as I step into the locker room raising cat calls from some of the guys. I smile as I head to my locker. “Any plans with a shy little twink tonight?” He waggles his brows as I take my shoulder pads off. He’s already down to his base layer like most of the guys.

“He’s meeting me outside so I’m taking that as a good sign that he’ll spend the rest of the night with me.”

I get down to my compression shorts before I feel someone at my back. Turning, I come face to face with a pissed-off Benji. He folds his arms over his puffed-up chest. I raise an eyebrow in question as I wrap a towel around my waist before pulling my shorts off. He’s still standing there when I turn for the showers.

“Can I help you?”

He looks me up and down before stepping up to me. He’s a little shorter than me but he still tries to look down his nose, trying to intimidate me. Jokes on him though because I don’t care what he has to say. I go to step around him, but he sidesteps into my path.

“What do you want, Alexander? I have shit to do and I would like to shower.”

His nostrils flare as he squints at me. “What do you want with Charlie?” he growls.

I tilt my head trying to figure out why he cares. “I can hang out with whoever I want. What’s it to you? It’s not like you actually care about him, do you?” I don’t stick around for his answer as a look of shock crosses his face.

I make quick work of the shower, scrubbing every trace of sweat off me. As I step out of the shower area, I hear Benji telling everyone about the room his father has for us at the Lex Hotel downtown. It’s one of the largest business hotels in Chicago that’s known for hosting celebrity parties. I roll my eyes as I walk past him and keep my back to him as I get dressed. Ryder has the locker next to mine and is sitting on the bench giving me a questioning look. I know he enjoys the lavish lifestyle.

“You and the guys should go. I’m not that interested in spending my night getting dirty looks thrown my way. Plus, I’m sure his dad will notice if all four of us are missing. Tell him I had a family thing and couldn’t make it if he asks.” Ryder nods and pats me on the shoulder as Matt walks up.

“You guys ready to go get our grub on? I’m so hungry I think I might order the Tomahawk steak and eat it all!” He licks his lips.

Asher comes over shaking his head at Matt. He points back and forth between himself and Matt then signs the word split.

“What? You don’t want to rub my overstuffed belly tonight while I cry in pain?” He elbows Ash.

Asher just looks at him like the weirdo he is.

“Fiiiine. We’ll split it but I get to pick the sides.” Asher nods in agreement and then looks at me.

“I’m stepping out on this one. You guys go ahead.”

He lifts his brow as he signs Charlie with his right hand. I smile and nod. He nods back and grabs Matt by the arm and heads to the door, Ryder following behind.

I finish getting dressed, grab my hockey bag, and pocket my phone and keys. As I walk out, my heart sinks when I don’t see Charlie waiting. I pull out my phone to text him but as I get closer to the doors that lead outside, I see a familiar form leaning against the wall in a black Gannon U hockey hoodie with the hood up. He looks like he’s tracing the pattern in the tile with the toe of his shoe, so I step into its path causing him to stop short. As he lifts his head, his beautiful golden-brown eyes meet mine along with a small smile.

“Hey, beautiful.” I step up and cradle his smooth face in my hands. “I’ve missed you this week. I’m happy you came tonight. That last goal was for you.” He still has purple under his eyes, but he looks better than he did last night.

“I have no idea what was happening most of the game,” he says shyly. “But I watched you the whole time, even when you weren’t on the ice. It made being around so many people a little easier.” Slowly, he reaches out to my hoodie pocket and pulls me closer so I’m shielding him from people walking by. Looking up into my eyes, he licks his lips. He looks at mine as I do the same then returns to my eyes.

“Kiss me, Charlie,” I whisper.

He lifts onto his tiptoes and little by little brings his lips to mine. He uses my hoodie as leverage to bring him closer. His lips are chapped so I lick them causing him to gasp. My tongue dives in and explores his mouth as I lower my hand to his ass and bring him even closer so he can feel what he’s doing to me. He lets out a cute little whimper when I grind my aching length into his hip. So, I do it again and again, getting lost in the kiss that’s all Charlie.

The locker room door bangs open snapping us out of our kiss. We’re both breathless as he lowers to his feet. When he hears voices getting closer, he buries his face in my chest and curls his shoulders up to his ears. I kiss the top of his hood.

“Let’s get out of here,” I say once they pass and nobody else is in the hall. He looks up at me and nods. I grab his hand and lace our fingers as we head to my truck. I help him up with a very necessary ass grab, enjoying the hell out of his flushed cheeks. When I get behind the wheel, I see him looking around nervously at the guys in the parking garage.

“Your place or mine?”

“Yours,” he says ducking down when Benji walks out.

Once I’m out on the street, I tap his shoulder. “It’s clear.”

He sits up and looks around again. When he realizes that we’ve left the parking area, he relaxes into the seat.

“Where did Lily and Noah go? I thought we’d all go out and get to know each other a little more.”

“They went to an after-party at one of the frat houses.” He plays with one of the hoodie strings, looking out his window.

I hope I didn’t ruin his plans to hang out with them tonight, even though he doesn’t strike me as a partygoer.

“Did you want to go? I can drive you there and we can celebrate the win together.”

He’s shaking his head before I finish. “No, I’m good. They stay all night, and I don’t feel like being around people anymore tonight. I’m peopled out for at least two weeks.”

“Well, I hope you’re still up for spending time with at least one person because I’ve missed you. And I need to make up for the time we lost.” I smile and wink at him as he smiles back. “I’m starving and way too tired to make anything. I know this amazing sandwich shop down the street from me where they make their own bread and condiments,” I tell him as I stop at a red light. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head but is still smiling. “What? Can’t a guy like freshly made food? I bet you’d love their grilled cheese. It has sun-dried tomatoes and a sweet basil pesto on crispy homemade bread. Add crispy applewood bacon and it’ll have your taste buds dancing.” He laughs at my shimmy as I recall how good that sandwich is.

“Okay. But no bacon.”

Fuck his smile is stunning. And those dimples. I need to get him to smile more.

“I love this song.” He nods along so I turn it up and listen to him sing along as I continue driving. I have no idea who this band is but I like the similarities to Linkin Park with a rapper and a singer. I nod along to the beat until it’s over and I’m parked in front of the sandwich shop.

“Who was that? They sound awesome.”

He looks at me as he unbuckles. “From Ashes to New. They’re one of my favorite bands.”

“Never heard of them. Are they a newer band?”

He shakes his head as he opens his door and jumps down. Looking up at me still in my seat, he smiles the brightest I have yet to see. And I’m frozen. Completely awestruck by this beautiful man. He’s let his guard down and is smiling freely. This, this is the real Charlie that’s been hidden this whole time. And I’m going to do everything in my power to bring him out as often as possible.

“You coming?” he asks, closing the door.

Blinking quickly, I jump out of the truck and walk up to him. I hold out my hand and he threads his fingers through mine without hesitating.

“The band has been together for a while. They reminded me of Linkin Park and since it was after Chester had passed, I kind of listened to them on a loop.”

I love how passionate he is about things that interest him. His art, Avatar, and now this band. It has me wanting to find out what else he likes just so I can listen to him talk openly and not care about what I might think.

“I take it you like Linkin Park then,” I ask as we step inside the shop. The smell of freshly baked bread hits my nose making my stomach rumble.

We walk up to the line, still hand in hand. He moves closer when a group of girls walk past. I release his hand and wrap my arm around his back to grip his hip. He looks up at me with a relieved grin.

“I’m a big Linkin Park fan. I have a tattoo on my ribs with some of the lyrics from Crawling under the Linkin Park Soldier.” I don’t remember seeing that. I make a mental note to look later.

We step up to the counter and I place our orders and pay. Stepping to the side, I see him chewing the shit out of his bottom lip. I turn to face him and gently pull it free.

“Why are you abusing your lip?” I rub my thumb over the red spot from his teeth. “You didn’t have to pay for mine. I appreciate it but I-I have m-money,” he stutters looking at the center of my chest.

I lift his chin with my finger as I rub his bottom lip. “I don’t mind paying when the man I’m spending my time with is as beautiful as you. I would pay for a thousand sandwiches as long as you’re with me.” He tries to look away, but I catch his eye. “But, if it’ll help, you can pay next time. How’s that sound?”

“Yeah. Th-that’ll work.” He sticks the tip of his tongue out and swipes it over my thumb while his eyes droop almost closed.

“Order for Shane.” We’re interrupted by a worker holding up our bag of food.

I thank the girl and grab our bag. I hold Charlie’s hand as we head back to my truck.

The ride was quiet except for the music he put on after connecting his phone. We’re now on the balcony eating and listening to the party going on in the courtyard. Well, I am. He’s lost to the stars again.

He’s only taken one bite of his sandwich and a handful of chips. My grilled chicken parmesan sandwich was gone less than five minutes after being opened.

I wonder if he’ll let me feed him like he did on his birthday.

I rip off a bite and bring it to his mouth, he opens when it touches his lips. He chews and swallows without looking away from the dark sky. So, I feed him bite after bite, adding chips here and there. I get him to eat a little more than half his sandwich before he grunts and leans away when I offer another bite.

I tilt my seat back and pull him off his chair to sit on my lap, he automatically leans back against my chest. His hood is up so I move it to the side, so our faces are aligned.

“What about stars has you so captivated by them?” I softly ask into his ear.

I’m not sure if he heard me when he doesn’t say anything but then his teeth started attacking his lip again. He gathers his thoughts for a few minutes then a shaky breath escapes his lips.

“When Benji and I were younger, our Uncle Lewis would take us for the summer months to explore his land down in Tennessee on the Smoky Mountains. I would spend most of my time painting the colorful wilderness that was around his massive cabin while Benji would find as many critters as possible to scare the shit out of me. Uncle Lewis would help me with shading techniques and how to get the perfect lighting to show just how beautiful nature is. One night when I couldn’t sleep, I snuck outside, laid down on an old picnic table, and looked up at all the stars. There were so many. I don’t know how long I laid there for but I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to my uncle carrying me back inside. I remember him saying the stars hold all our secrets so don’t be afraid to let it all out when it becomes too much to hold in. I guess that stuck with me through the years. I tell them what I’m too afraid to tell anyone. It’s all in my head though so no one thinks I’m crazy.” He snorts as he shakes his head slightly.

“It doesn’t matter how you talk to them, as long as you feel better afterward, that’s what matters.” I hug him to me as I look up at the stars too.

“Did something happen to him? It sounds like he’s someone in your past, do you not talk to him anymore?”

He sucks in a sharp breath and holds it. He holds it for so long I’m afraid he’s going to pass out. As I sit up, he finally lets it out and looks down at his fidgeting hands.

“Sorry if that’s a sore subject. How about we go inside before it gets any colder?”

He stands up and starts to sway. I quickly get up and hug him from behind. His heart beats rapidly as I wrap my arms around him.

“You’re okay, Charlie.”

He takes a wobbly step out of my arms, but he must still be dizzy as he steadies himself with the table. I walk around him and lift him up with my hands under his ass. “I’ve got you, beautiful.” He lays his head on my shoulder as I walk inside to my room.

I set him on my bed and watch as he kicks off his boots and climbs under the blankets, curling into a ball facing away from me. I turn on the TV and strip down to my boxer briefs. Climbing in under the blankets and I lay on my back as Disney Plus loads. He scoots closer as I select the Avatar list.

“Which one do you want to watch?”

Turning my head to kiss the top of his head that’s now on my bicep and I’m met with his soft hair instead of his hood.

“The Way of Water.” He scoots closer and moves his head over my heart.

I find the movie and hit play. Wrapping my arms around him, I hug him to me as the movie starts. Not even ten minutes later and I’m already confused.

“Why are they attacking the train anyway? And how did they go from a dark forest to a bright as hell island?” I think I missed something because this doesn’t make sense.

“Shh. Just watch it.”

I don’t think he knows how strange it is to watch a movie that only confuses me the longer I watch.

We get to the people dressed in black, making a blood oath without using blood. That’s when his hand, that’s been resting on my lower stomach, starts to drift upwards. He stops with his pointer finger on my right nipple. He starts making circles around it until it’s a hard bud. I suck in a breath when the heat of his mouth hovers over my left nipple. I drop my head back and close my eyes as he sucks it into his mouth and lightly pinches my other one. Blood rushes to my cock so fast that I get lightheaded.

He pulls my nipple into his mouth for a hard suck before letting it go with a pop. I open my eyes to him looking down at the tent in the blankets. He looks up at me, licking his bottom lip.

“Can I taste you?” he asks as his hand leaves my nipple and trails down my six-pack, stopping at the edge of the blanket on my waist.

“You don’t have to ask me, beautiful. My answer will always be yes.”

He pulls the blankets off my straining length and moves between my spread legs. He looks up at me with those sweet eyes as he pulls my boxers down, my leaking dick springs out, slapping my stomach. I lift my ass as he pulls my boxers off and tosses them behind him. He licks his lips as he lowers his head. He lightly blows on my wet tip making me shiver.

He grabs my base and looks me in the eye as he licks off the pre-cum.

“Oh shit!” I do everything I can to keep my ass on the bed and not hump his face. He smiles and does it again before opening his mouth and sliding down my length. I’m nine inches with decent girth so he only gets a little past the head before he gags.

It takes him a minute to find his rhythm but once he gets me covered in his spit, he works me over like he’s been doing this for years. With his hands twisting in opposite directions while moving up and down, and his warm mouth sucking the pre-cum from my slit, he has me ready to explode embarrassingly fast.

“Slow down, baby. I don’t want to come yet.” I catch my breath when he releases my cock head, but it doesn’t last long as he moves lower and sucks one of my balls into his mouth. “Fuck, that feels good,” I moan as I throw my head back.

He moves to my other ball as one hand moves up my shaft and the other reaches up and finds my nipple. I’m not going to last longer than thirty seconds with this triple attack.

I have no time to warn him as he pinches my nipple, tugs on my sack with his lips, and rubs the sensitive underside of my cock head all at the same time making me shoot cum before I was ready.

“Oh fffuuucckk! Nuuuggghhh…yeeeess,” I pant nonsense as he keeps rubbing under my head making more cum come out. He pulls away right as it becomes oversensitive.

“Damn, that was good.”

I close my eyes and try to slow my breathing as he licks a hot stripe up my abs and then over my nipple making me shiver. I open my eyes and reach for him. He drops down next to me as we kiss. I taste myself on his tongue as he rolls so he’s on his stomach. The bed starts rocking as he kisses me faster and deeper.

He's breathing heavily through his nose, so I pull back and see him rubbing himself on the bed. I roll us so I’m straddling him. He’s still fully clothed but I can see how hard he is through his pants. I kiss him again then move to his neck, leaving a trail of kisses down his throat and over his Adam’s apple. Grabbing the bottom of his hoodie, I slowly pull it over his head. Tossing it to the floor, I look down at his milky white skin. I spot the Linkin Park tattoo, but it’s hidden under his arm on his ribs. I lean down and continue my trail of kisses over each bump of his ribs, ending at the thin trail of dark hair below his belly button.

I pop open the button on his jeans and slowly lower the zipper. Looking up at him to make sure he’s okay, he nods and lifts his hips. I pull his pants and boxer briefs down his legs. He slowly spreads his legs as I lower to my stomach. I spot a bunch of thin scars on the inside of his thighs but ignore them when he doesn’t close his legs. He sucks in a sharp breath when my hand wraps around him. His length is a lot shorter than mine and thin but it’s the perfect size for me to swallow him whole.

I start slowly by kissing the head and then licking the underside. I look up at him as I suck his entire length in my mouth and down my throat. I bob a few times then swallow around him.

“Shane! Oh fuck. Shit. Ohhh.” His hips lift off the bed as he fucks my mouth while he chants my name.

I pull off as he starts to swell, making him whine. “Nooo. Why’d you stop? I’m so close.”

“I know you are, but have you ever had your prostate massaged,” I ask as I circle his hole with my thumb.

“No. I’ve tried to do it to myself but the angle was wrong, so I gave up.” His neck and cheeks start to turn red.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed, baby. It’s easier with a toy and even better when someone else does it. Can I show you?” I apply a little pressure to his hole.

He nods.

I grab the bottle of lube from my nightstand, setting it aside as I get on my knees.

“If, at any point, you aren’t comfortable or you want me to stop, just tell me. I’ll stop and show you other ways I can pleasure you.”

He nods more confidently this time. I bend down and take him back into my mouth as I squirt lube on my fingers. Circling his entrance again, he relaxes slightly so I gently push the tip of my finger in. His breathing picks up and his eyes shut tightly. I drop him from my mouth but leave my finger.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?”

He takes a deep breath in and slowly lets it out as he opens his eyes. “Keep going. I’m good.”

This time I take his softened dick to the back of my throat, my nose buried in his short hair. I swallow and push my finger in further. He starts swearing but pumps his hips up into my mouth and then down onto my finger, taking it to my last knuckle. I let him do this until he swells once again. I pull my finger out and quickly pull off his cock.

“You su-”

I cut him off by pushing two fingers in this time. He’s leaking all over the place as he adjusts. When he nods, I slowly move my fingers in and out as I stroke him. I find the spongy button inside him and rub it.

“FUCK!” He yells as cum explodes out of him.

It’s so forceful that it comes straight up and almost hits me in the face. I stroke him through it until he’s a shivering mess.

I cover his body with mine and kiss all over his face until he’s calmed.

“I take it you liked that,” I chuckle. “Let’s get cleaned up so we can get some sleep.”

He doesn’t respond, keeping his eyes closed. “Come on, baby we can’t sleep covered in cum.” I kiss his neck and then bite his earlobe.

“No. Tired. Sleep,” he mumbles.

I chuckle as I get off him and pull him to the edge of the bed.

“Yes. Shower then sleep.” I use his shoulders to keep him up, dropping a kiss on his sweaty forehead.

Picking him up, I carry him into the bathroom, turn the shower on, and step in once it’s warm. I get us as clean as I can with him attached to my front. By the time I step out, his arms are loose around my neck and he’s breathing deeply.

I dry us off, making sure to get his wild hair, and walk back to my bed. We’ve somehow managed to keep the blankets clean so I climb in with him still in my arms. Laying back, I’m instantly relaxed with his weight on me and fall fast asleep.

I wake up to light strokes on my arm. Slowly opening my eyes, I see Charlie tracing my arm tattoo with his fingertip. When he sees me looking at him, he smiles sheepishly and hides his face in the pillow.

“I see the wheels turning in that beautiful head of yours.” I run my fingers through his messy hair and lightly scratch his scalp. He peeks at me with one eye, looking all types of cute.

“Why don’t you have color on your tattoo? It’s so pretty but my mind is telling me it should be in color.”

I sit up and kiss his bare shoulder. “Stay right here.”

I get out of bed and go digging in my closet for the care package my family sent a few weeks ago. Finding it, I pull out what I need and return to Charlie.

“Scootch over to my side.” I lay down in his spot and toss him the box of washable markers my mom sent.

“Why do you have these in your closet.” He holds up the unopened box.

“My mom sends random stuff she thinks I’ll need at some point.” I shrug. “Go ahead, Picasso. Make me pretty.” I roll onto my right side, facing him so he has full access to my left arm and shoulder.

He bites his lip as he pulls out the blue marker. “Are you sure?” He flips the marker around in his hand. “It’s childish. I-I shouldn’t.” He drops the marker in his lap and starts bouncing his knee.

I grab the marker, uncap it, and put it back in his hand. “I’m more than okay with it. It’s washable so it’ll come off in the shower. There’s nothing childish about coloring in a design. My sister colors those books that are full of these mandala designs and she’s twenty-five.” I point to the large flower on my shoulder.

Nodding, he starts on the outer leaves of the mandala flower. I watch his face as he concentrates on following the design. He switches out colors and goes around again, then again with a different color. He sticks his tongue out a little as he adds color to the middle part.

He's absolutely adorable. Relaxed, I start to dose off.

Waking up sometime later, I stretch and look over to where Charlie was sitting, the sheets are cool. I sit up and see the sun high in the sky.

What time is it?

As I climb out of my bed and put on a pair of grey sweatpants, I look at my phone and see that it’s almost noon.

As I walk out of my room, I hear clattering coming from the kitchen. I find Ryder with a recipe book open and a bunch of random ingredients on the island. He looks up and does a double-take.

“Nice artwork. I’m digging all the colors.”

I look down at my arm and see more than the twelve colors that came in the box of markers.

“What the hell are you making with all of this?” I walk up to the opened book and see a recipe for veggie burgers. “Is he still here,” I ask as I look around.

“One, I’m making the best damn veggie burgers ever, even if it calls for beans.” He makes a fake gagging noise. “And second, yes. He’s sitting outside. Been out there for almost two hours. I figured since your lazy ass wanted to sleep all day that I should at least feed the little guy.”

“Don’t call him that.” I turn to the sliding doors but stop and look back at him. “And measure those spices with a measuring spoon. Don’t try to eyeball it, they can get overpowering.” I give him a pointed look before walking out to the balcony.