After The Snap (30 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Seth settled in his seat and was surprised to find Wayne sitting right next to him. Usually Wayne wanted to sleep so he would stretch out in the back of the plane. Before he turned off his phone, Seth saw a note from Colby about dinner. He smiled to himself and closed his eyes, leaning his head against the window. About an hour into the flight Wayne tapped him on the leg.

“Who?” Wayne asked.

Seth shook his head. “No one you know.”

“Oh sweet. You’ve got someone. They living with you?” Wayne asked.

“Does it matter?”

“You’ve been more relaxed. You’re getting some, aren’t you?”

“God, Wayne, I’m not talking about this.”

“I’m happy for you. But you gotta know, I want to meet this special someone.”

Seth smiled to himself. “Maybe.”

Wayne laughed and patted him on the knee. “I’m happy for you, man.”

“Thanks.”

He and Wayne both slept the rest of the flight and woke about thirty minutes out from San Diego as the pilot was making his announcement. The drive home went by fast and he pulled into the garage, relieved to be back with Colby. When he opened the front door, a delicious scent hit him. He moaned and stepped in. Colby was asleep on the couch and he didn’t want to wake him.

After changing out of his travel clothes, Seth served himself some food and sat at the table, chowing down. When he was almost done with his first plate, Colby woke and blinked at him.

“Hey, how long have you been home?” Colby sat up and yawned.

“Not long. Well, maybe thirty minutes.”

Colby stood and stretched and all Seth wanted to do was pull him close and kiss his lips, holding him in his arms forever. Their gazes met and Colby moved to him, wrapping his arms around Seth from behind.

“I’m glad you ate.”

“Have you eaten yet?” Seth asked.

“No, I’ll grab some now.”

“One of the players wants to meet you,” Seth said.

“Let me guess, the guy who heard you on the phone with me?”

“Yeah, he doesn’t know you’re a guy but it was weird, he didn’t say anything about a girl. His pronouns were very vague.”

“Maybe he’s figured it out.”

“Perhaps, but I’m not going to rush it. I want my mom and dad to meet you first.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to give them a little warning before they show up here after the game?”

“I’ll tell them that I’ve met someone.” He was worried that his parents wouldn’t take it well if it wasn’t a face to face meeting. He needed his parents support.

After dinner he helped Colby clean up the dishes before they showered and fell into bed. He was exhausted and they did little more than kiss. They’d fallen into a good rhythm. Colby still enjoyed his job and though he would have to travel eventually, he hadn’t left town since he’d arrived in San Diego.

On the twenty-second of December Colby came home from work with a huge smile on his face. He pulled Seth into a tight hug, not letting him go. Eventually Seth was able to lean back and see Colby’s eyes. Tears streamed down his face.

“Babe, what happened?”

“The district attorney in Atlanta called and Neil accepted a plea bargain. I don’t have to go back and testify or sit through a trial.”

Seth smoothed his fingers over Colby’s cheeks, wiping away the tears. “Are you really okay with this?”

“Yes. Neil gets a few years of probation and one hundred hours of community service. It’s never been about sending him to jail, just making him realize he can’t hurt me. Now that I’m here and he doesn’t know really where here is, he can’t do anything.”

Seth kissed Colby and decided that it was time to celebrate. “Let’s go out for dinner.”

“Really out?”

“Yeah. I mean, we’ll need to—”

Colby lifted up on his toes and delivered a quick peck on his lips. “I know and I don’t mind.”

“We could go grab a steak.”

Colby nodded. “I’d like that. Any particular place you’d like to go?”

“I have an idea. It’s quiet. We can have a little privacy, not like here, but something where we can talk.”

Colby stroked Seth’s chest. “Okay. I’d like that.”

“Go change into something nice but comfortable and we’ll head out.”

Colby tugged at his tie and nodded. “God, I love spending time with you.”

“Same here. I’m glad you decided to live with me once you moved out here. I know it’s been quick, but I think you being here has helped.”

“It has. If we didn’t live together I’m not sure how much we would see each other. And you’ve been busy on the weekends, so it only makes sense.”

“My parents called, their plane lands at four on Christmas eve. They’re going to check into their hotel and then come over.”

“I’m a little nervous about that. Do you think they’ll like what I cook?”

“Babe, they’ll love the food.”

Colby dressed in a very nice button down dark blue shirt and black pants that fit his ass like a glove. Seth almost didn’t want to leave their place to go eat, but they’d spent enough time at home.

He called ahead and got them reservations for seven. They had enough time to drive over and find a place to park. Before he got out of the car, Seth leaned over and gave Colby a quick kiss. Excitement pinged inside of him. This was their first real date and he wanted it to go well.

“We may not be able to even hold hands in there, but don’t doubt how much I love you.”

“You’re my guy, and I love you.”

When he stood from the car and saw Colby walking around to him, his heart squeezed. Colby was freaking amazing and he loved him. He wanted to hold Colby’s hand as they walked across the parking lot but it would be too much. Like the last time he had eaten there, he was recognized by multiple people. He signed a birthday card for some kid and took a few photos while Colby got their seat and ordered a glass of wine for himself and water for Seth.

“Sorry about that,” Seth whispered as he sat down.

“It’s part of the gig. I ordered an appetizer too. Something light to snack on before our food arrives.”

“You’re amazing.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your compliments.”

“It’s the truth. Since you’ve come into my life, everything is better. I need you. You’re not just some dude I’m dating. You’re my future.”

Colby’s cheeks turned pink just before the waitress came over. It was weird being out, but he loved this man and would do anything for him if it meant they could be together. After ordering, Colby shifted, his foot tapping against Seth’s. Their gazes met and they both smiled. It was the small things Colby did that drew him closer. Colby knew he couldn’t go public with his relationship and instead of complaining, he accepted it and didn’t throw a fit. But he also found ways to make sure Seth knew he cared.

The meal was excellent. Colby talked about work, and Seth discussed some of the team’s strategies. Nothing personal was talked about, but he felt like they had grown even closer. He enjoyed himself thoroughly. It was nice being out with someone he wanted to be with. When Colby got back from the bathroom Seth reached across the table and tapped the back of his hand. Colby glanced up and looked around worried.

“No one is around. I just wanted to tell you I love you. This was nice.”

The smile on Colby’s face made Seth feel good all over. He paid the bill and they stood to leave. They were near the front when Colby patted his pockets and glanced back to Seth.

“I forgot my phone.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I was thinking of you. You distract me. I’ll go—”

Seth shook his head. “I can—”

“No, I’ll get it.”

“Okay, I’ll wait out front for you.”

Seth stepped outside, his mind on Colby. He was surprised when someone approached him. He looked up in time to see that it was Channing just before arms were wrapped around him and he was tugged into a tight hug.

“Seth, I’m so glad I ran into you. I’m in town, looking at schools that need coaches.”

“What?” Seth felt as though his whole world dropped out from underneath him. Channing was going to move here? Why? He pulled out of the hug, forcing distance between them by putting his hand on Channing’s chest and stepping back. He wished there was a way to tell Colby to hide. The thought of texting Colby popped into his head just as the door opened behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Colby go from smiling to frowning in less than a second.

Channing followed Seth’s gaze and in that moment Seth knew real fear. Channing stiffened under his palm. His eyes turned dark, intense, and filled with anger. The smile was gone, instead an angry scowl turned the corners of his lips down.

The hair on the back of Seth’s neck stood on end and he wished they’d stayed at home instead of going out. Then Channing wouldn’t know. Nothing good would come of Channing meeting Colby.

“Seth, you ready?” Colby asked.

“Who is this?” Channing demanded through clenched teeth.

If he said no one, then Channing would know it was someone. If he said it was a friend, then Channing would ask Colby questions. If he said it was a trick, Channing would want to join in on the fun.

“My agent has people who work with him. This is one of the staff members.”

“Oh.” Channing turned to Colby. “Who do you work for.”

Colby froze and panic filled his face. There wasn’t any way to salvage the situation. Channing would know Colby was his date. Seth didn’t know why it worried him. Of course he was dating, but the murderous glint shining in Channing’s eyes set him on edge.

Colby started to stammer. “I—um, I think—”

“Channing, leave us alone,” Seth said.

At the mention of Channing’s name, Colby’s eyes narrowed and his cheeks turned red. Seth could see that Colby was about to lose his shit so he grabbed his elbow and guided him away from the restaurant. Channing followed.

“Are you fucking him?” Channing’s clenched teeth made the words come out in a hiss.

Seth stopped walking and Colby clasped onto Seth’s arm, stilling him. He couldn’t get into an altercation. Fighting before a game would get him benched so fast it was crazy. His only concession was that the parking lot was empty. Somehow, they’d wound up in a mostly deserted part of the lot and he was glad for it.

“You really should go,” Colby tossed over his shoulder.

“You are! You are fucking him,” Channing spit out. “What about us?”

“There is no us,” Seth said as Colby took his keys and clicked open the car. Colby waved Seth to the passenger side and then slid into the driver’s seat. Before Seth could shut the door Channing moved beside the car, his face close.

“You haven’t heard the last of this. No one leaves me.”

Colby started the car and Seth shut his door. Going slow, Colby backed out of the spot and exited the lot. Channing didn’t chase after him, which he was thankful for. They were halfway home before he realized that Colby was driving his car.

“I should be driving,” Seth said.

“Babe, it’s okay. I’m driving carefully and slowly.”

“No, its—fuck, I don’t know. I should be strong enough to drive. I’m not—”

“Don’t,” Colby said.

“Don’t what?”

“Act like seeing Channing didn’t affect you.”

“But why should it?” Seth tugged at his hair.

“Babe, he’s an asshole. He was basically threatening us. If you weren’t upset, I’d be worried. The man is a tool and he took advantage of you. I’m sorry we ran into him, but I’m proud of you for sticking up for yourself.”

Seth sucked in a breath and shook his head. Colby pulled the car into the parking garage and cut the engine. He placed his hand on Colby’s knee, squeezing twice.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize for Channing’s bad behavior.”

“No, I’m sorry for trying to act like it didn’t affect me. I’m upset and I’m glad you drove us home. You’re right, seeing Channing like that made me mad because I don’t want anything associated with you to be tainted.”

“It’s not. He can’t ruin our night if we don’t let him. Dinner was wonderful and tonight, when we get upstairs, I’m going to suck your cock and leave you asking for more.”

Seth’s body heated and he popped open the door to the car and stepped out. Colby didn’t take long in getting out either. They made their way to the elevator and headed up. He had plans to go into the bedroom, but Colby directed him to the couch and plugged in the lights on their Christmas tree. It was beautiful, romantic, and amazing. Colby stripped in the warm glow of the colorful lights, giving Seth an amazing show. When he was totally naked, Colby sank to his knees in front of Seth and unzipped his pants, pulling them low on Seth’s legs. His cock sprung free and he sighed as Colby bent and ran his tongue from the base up to the tip.

He let his head fall back against the cushion as he let go of his stress. Colby sucking down on his cock helped tremendously. Colby stopped sucking and Seth lifted his head just enough to see what Colby was doing.