After The Snap

by Peyton Miller

  “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.

  “I can feel you relaxing,” Colby whispered.

  “I am. Thank you. You know just what I need to feel better.”

  Colby p
laced his hand on the couch beside Seth’s thigh and climbed up straddling his legs. “I need this cock in my ass and I want to feel you. Not the condom, just you.”

  Seth sucked in a breath, his heart thundering as he thought about going without protection. “I guess you got your results back?”

  “Yeah, so we’re both good.”

  Seth captured Colby’s lips in a searing kiss that left them both breathless. After the kiss, Colby lifted up and scooted closer as Seth shifted down in the seat.

  “What about lube?” Seth asked.

  “I brought a small packet with us tonight.”

  “You planned this?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  Seth groaned as Colby spread slick on his dick. When Colby sat back, Seth knew he’d gone to heaven. “Oh my God, it feels so good. Oh fuck…fuck.”

  The heat was more intense than he expected, and the feel of Colby’s channel against his skin was freaking amazing. He gulped in a breath as he tried to hold it together. Colby was rocking on his lap, his naked chest giving Seth an amazingly sexy view. Seth let Colby do all the work as he ran his hands over the flat planes and smooth muscles that were all his to enjoy.

  Seth caught Colby’s face in his hands and held him still. “Don’t leave me.”

  “Babe, I love you. I won’t leave.”

  “Please, don’t ever leave me,” Seth begged as his eyes filled with moisture.

  “Hey, I’m not going to leave.”

  Seth lifted up and rolled, pushing Colby to the cushions. Colby wrapped his legs around Seth and he sunk into the delicious heat of his lover, loving how close he felt to his man. At first he thought he had control, then Colby arched up, his head thrown back, neck exposed and Seth knew he had no control where Colby was concerned. His man was too delicious to show any restraint.

  “Colby, oh God…” Seth was lost to the orgasm, his body moving on its own as he pumped into Colby. His cum was inside of his lover, not a condom, but in Colby. They were closer than they’d ever been before and this meant something.

  He didn’t want to pull out but he was getting soft and knew he would slip out soon. And Colby would probably want to clean up because he was now filled with cum. Before he lost the connection he kissed Colby, hoping that he could convey some of the intense love he felt. Colby kissed him back like he meant it. When he lifted away, Colby’s hands stayed on him and he sat up, following Seth to standing. Colby didn’t let go until they were in the bathroom.

  “That was amazing,” Colby whispered.

  “Shower with me,” Seth said.

  Colby stepped into the space and stayed close, kissing his chest and neck and holding him. It was sweet, and he felt like they’d moved to another level in their relationship. After they were both washed, he turned off the water and grabbed a towel, drying Colby before leading him to their bed.

  When they were settled, the reality of the situation couldn’t be ignored. “He’s going to do something.”

  “Channing?” Colby asked as he snuggled close, laying his head on Seth’s shoulder.

  “Yeah. He’s pissed that we’re together and he’s going to do something.”

  “Babe, what can he do? He’ll lose his job and any chance of having a job coaching if he comes out. What he did was wrong and he knows it.”

  “I just have a bad feeling.”

  Colby lifted up and stared down at him. “We’ll make it through anything. He can’t hurt us.”

  “No, he can’t.”

  Seth tugged Colby close and held him, worrying about what Channing would do. But nothing happened. He spent the next night in the hotel with the rest of the team and he didn’t see Channing. After winning the game, he half expected Channing to try to get into the locker room, but he didn’t show. He received a text from his parents stating that they’d landed and were on their way to their hotel. A different type of fear took over as he dialed his mom, letting the Bluetooth on his car take over.

  “Hey, mom,” he said when she answered.

  “Hi, Seth. We’re so proud of you. Are you sure you don’t want to go out to eat? We can find some place and I don’t want you to have to deal with cooking us dinner.”

  “It’s okay. I have something at home. Plus, the restaurants will be packed and traffic is bad. Just come over. There is parking in the garage for guests. Press the button for my apartment and I’ll let you in.”

  “If you’re sure.” His mom sounded distracted and he could hear his dad’s phone in the background giving directions.

  “Yes. Plus, I have something to tell you.”

  “Oh, what is it?” She perked up, the last words of her sentence said at a higher pitch.

  A small smile tugged at his lips. He prayed his mom liked Colby. “I want to tell you both. Just come by. I love you and I’ll see you later.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  It took him about twenty minutes with the traffic to make it home. Colby had texted that he had dinner ready and was looking forward to meeting Seth’s parents. If only he felt as optimistic. Fear of their reactions had left him feeling off. He was surprised he’d been able to concentrate at the game.

  When he pulled into the parking garage, he noticed that his hands were shaking. He had to take a moment to catch his breath before heading upstairs. Before he even got to his place he could smell the delicious food Colby had made. His man was excellent and he loved him more every day.

  “Hey,” Colby rushed from the kitchen and into his arms. “You did so good today. I’m so freaking proud of you.”

  “You watched the game?”

  “Every second.”

  “I know you don’t like football.”

  “I love watching you play.”

  “I have to say that it makes me feel better knowing that you’re watching.”

  Colby pressed his lips to Seth’s and he pulled him close after dropping his stuff into a heap. He needed to get his clothes into the washer. Sure, the team took care of his gear, but the stuff he wore before and then after the game was dirty. He’d left it once by mistake and it had stunk up the condo, but he needed to kiss Colby before his parents showed up.

  He ended the kiss and stared down at his lover. “I missed you last night.”

  “I missed you too, but I did get a lot of cleaning done and the food is all prepared. Tomorrow’s breakfast will be easy too.”

  “Let me get these into the washer,” Seth said.

  “Sure. I need to pull the food out of the oven. It’s ready. I’m going to put the pie in next.”

  “You’re amazing.” Seth brushed his lips over Colby’s before picking up his gear and getting his clothes into the washer. He’d just stepped out into the den when the buzzer rang. His parents had arrived.

  With a trembling hand he allowed his parents access to the building. Ice filled his veins as fear took over. Then he caught Colby’s gaze and the smile on Colby’s lips warmed him. If he had to do this alone, he wasn’t sure what he would do. Telling his parents he was gay would be extremely difficult without having Colby beside him.

  He heard the elevator ding and went to the door, waiting for them to approach. The sound of his dad’s deep voice hit his ears and his emotions leapt off the charts. He couldn’t do this. He turned and found Colby standing beside him.

  “I’m here. It will be fine.”

  Colby’s words filled him with confidence, giving him the strength necessary to open the door and let his parents in.

  “Seth!” His mom pulled him into a tight hug before the door was even closed. She leaned back and placed her hands on the sides of his face, staring into his eyes. “We’re so proud of you.”

  “Son, you’ve done so well. We’re happy you won the game today.” His dad turned and caught sight of Colby and Seth saw the pause before his dad recovered. “I don’t recognize you from the team. Or are you Seth’s agent?”

  “No, sir, I’m Colby, Seth’s—”

  “He’s my boyfriend.” Seth couldn’t allow the weight
of telling his parents to fall on Colby. He stepped close to his man, wrapping his arm around Colby’s shoulder. The confusion was evident on his parents’ faces. Then he saw the anger and he wanted to do something to change the circumstances, but there wasn’t anything to do. He was deeply in love with Colby and that wasn’t going to change.

  “I—what?” his father asked.

  “I’m gay,” Seth said.

  “No, no you’re not,” his mom countered. “You’ve dated girls.”

  “I know this may come as a shock, but I’m in love with Colby. He lives with me and we’re serious.”

  The anger flashing on his dad’s face scared Seth and he held Colby a little tighter. A sick feeling slid through him as he saw his parents reject him for who he was.

  His dad turned and walked out, his mom following. Seth crumpled and the only reason he didn’t fall to the floor was Colby’s arms holding him up. Colby led him to the den and pushed him to the couch. He dropped his head between his knees and sucked in a breath. Before he knew what was happening, Colby ran out the door. Seth tried to stand but his head swam so much he toppled to the couch. The pounding in his head forced him to slow, making it impossible to chase after his lover. His parents had walked out. How could they have left like that?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Colby took the stairs two at a time, racing to the parking garage. He flew out the door to the stairwell as the door to the lobby opened. Seth’s parents stopped when they saw him and he held up a hand as he sucked in a breath. Seth’s dad tried to step around him but Colby straightened and shook his head.

  “No, you don’t get to pull this shit. That man is the best man I’ve ever met and he’s a good son. You loved him fifteen minutes ago and nothing has changed.”

  “I can’t support that sin,” Seth’s father said.

  “Your hate is the real sin. Abandoning your child is the sin, not being kind. Yeah, I grew up in the bible belt and I can counter every single verse with one of my own. Jesus is about love. Jesus helped the centurion. You don’t get to be selfish and walk away from Seth.”