Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Who called who and demanded they get out of bed?” Jude countered.
“Good point. Be there soon.”
Before I did anything, I squirted some lube in my hand and rubbed one out because I was horny as fuck. From there I got out of bed, showered, and dressed in a hoodie and jeans. On the way to Jude’s, I stopped by a coffeehouse and got him a large caramel latte because he liked that shit, and then headed over.
The first thing I thought as I walked up was how much this place didn’t seem like him. It was Lincoln, that was for sure, but the expensive high-rise just wasn’t Jude. He was simpler than that, which made me consider the fact that he hadn’t gotten his own place because maybe he didn’t plan to stay in Fever Falls. The thought sat heavy in my chest.
“Oh, hey,” I heard as I was about to get into the elevator. “You’re going to see Jude? Of course you’re going to see Jude. What else would you be doing here? Sorry, dumb question.”
“It’s not a dumb question,” I told Theo. “And yeah, I’m dragging him shopping with me, which he isn’t excited about.”
“Why wouldn’t he be excited to hang out with you?”
“Right? That’s exactly what I said. He gets a little grumpy in the mornings.”
Theo blushed, making me realize how that sounded. It wasn’t like I was waking up with Jude very often—which was a damn shame if you asked me. “Where are you headed?”
“Oh, just this art thing.”
“Do you need a ride?”
“Nah…thanks, though. That’s really nice. You’re always really nice. Jude too. You’re both nice.”
I couldn’t help smiling at him. That was a lot of nices. “You’re nice too.” I paused for a moment, then decided to go for it. “Listen…I volunteer at the LGBTQ center sometimes, and we’re always looking for extra help. If you wanted to go with me one day, that’d be really helpful.”
Theo’s blush burned brighter.
“No obligation, okay? I’m sure you’re busy, but like I said, it would help me out a lot, and I know it would help them out too. We’re always looking for volunteers.”
“Does…does Jude ever go with you?”
Oh yeah. The poor kid had a crush on Jude. I could understand why. I’d had one on him for a long time now. “He hasn’t, but I know he would. The three of us could all go.”
Theo’s eyes darted toward the ground. “I… I don’t know. Maybe? I don’t know if I can, but maybe. Thanks for asking. I gotta go. I’ll talk to you soon. Well, I mean, if I ever see you around here, I’ll talk to you, or if I’m able to go with you to the…the place.” And just like that, Theo was out the door.
I silently cursed to myself, hoping I’d done the right thing by mentioning it. I wanted him to be around other LGBTQ+ people, though. Wanted him to feel comfortable.
I hit the button again for the elevator and then took it up. Jude answered a few seconds after I knocked, wearing a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved Henley.
“I brought you a caramel latte. It might need to be warmed up. I ran into Theo and talked to him for a minute.”
“You brought me a coffee?” Jude’s forehead wrinkled.
“Um…yes? It’s nothing special or anything. Just a normal latte. Warm it up. Let’s get going. We have shit to do.” I made a point not to call him beautiful. I was caught between a rock and a hard place. He’d said it made him feel good when I said that to him, but he’d been uncomfortable in front of Theo and weird at Fever, so who the hell knew.
“It’s fine. I don’t need to warm it up. Thanks.” He smiled almost bashfully, which was really fucking hot, especially with those damn lips of his. Fuck, I wanted to taste them, wanted to watch my cock slide between them as he sucked me.
When we got in my truck, I asked, “You work tonight?”
“Nah, got it off.”
“Good. We’re going to Atlanta.”
“So if I were working tonight, we wouldn’t have time to go? How the hell much shopping do you plan to do?”
“However much it takes,” I replied.
“I had no idea you were such a shopper.”
“I’m not. I hate that shit. Except this time of year.”
I pulled on to the freeway.
“What did Theo have to say?” Jude asked. There was something slightly off in his voice, like he’d just realized he was with me and things were weird between us. We were gonna have to figure this shit out and do it soon.
“He was going to some art thing. I asked him if he needed a ride, but he didn’t. I also asked him if he might want to help me at the LGBTQ center sometime. I think he wants you to be there, though.”