Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Hiking his backpack strap up higher on his shoulder, he beelined it for the exit, but had to pass the TV room along the way.
“Hey, hey! The king returns!” Charlie called from the couch. “And perfect timing. We just finished a tournament and a new one’s starting in— Whoa, wait, where’re you goin’?”
Breck pulled to a stop. Fuck it. That ‘right time’ he’d been looking for had just presented itself. Round three. Again, his heart picked up speed. He turned to his friends and donned a smile. “Got a date with a hottie.”
“A date?” Jegs sputtered incredulously. “But you’re Breck the Unattainable.”
Breck smiled a little wider. “Not so unattainable anymore.”
His friends swapped looks, their mystified expressions more than a little bit comical. Breck coughed a laugh and scratched his neck. “I know, right? Totally weird.”
Reggie eyed him skeptically. “Uh huh. And who exactly is this hottie?”
Here goes nothing.
He folded his arms and casually answered. “Kai.”
All three guys furrowed their eyebrows in unison, their faces back to hilarious as they tried to puzzle out his reply. Breck stifled a laugh.
“Dude, what?” Charlie finally asked.
“Holy shit,” Reggie murmured.
“Wait… You mean…” Jegs’ eyes went wide.
“Yup.” Breck grinned, turning back for the door. “This monarch is officially off the menu. I’ve found my own king, and this time I’m playing for keeps.”
———
“Ten more minutes,” Kai announced as he rounded the mats. “Switch with your partners. I want to see some quality blocks.”
It was his last class of the day, and he was ready to be done. As much as he enjoyed teaching, it just couldn’t compete with what tonight had in store. Before Breck had left, they’d made plans for him to return this evening, and while no specific activities had been discussed, it didn’t matter. Just having him back again would absolutely suffice.
Smiling, he made another lap, inspecting the performances of his room full of students. And yet, even as he scrutinized their movements, a part of his mind remained with Breck. Even now, it was hard for him to fathom how far they’d come, all their reconciliations. They’d scaled over some pretty big hurdles and, despite how rough the road had been at times, he could look back now and smile upon the path he’d taken.
It was almost as if he’d somehow known all along that, amidst all their trials and tribulations, when all was finally said and done, Breck would be worth the gamble.
Behind him, the metal bell jingled above his dojang’s front door. He cut a quick glance over his shoulder and nearly stopped in his tracks. Speak of the devil. Breck, in all his dark, masculine beauty. Kai’s heart lit as he watched him step inside, a backpack over his shoulder, his golden browns scanning the sea of identically dressed, dobok-covered bodies.
Kai shifted to track him inconspicuously in his periphery. It wasn’t lost on him that, unlike last time, Breck wasn’t hiding out around back of his building. Once so very secretive about his lifestyle, his jeja was now boldly stepping out into the light. Greeting the world in his truth. A whole new level of bravery.
Kai’s chest swelled with pride.
And then Breck spotted him.
Kai turned his way and, just like that, their eyes locked. Instinctively, his body stirred. He slid Breck a smile that murmured, Hello, handsome. So glad to see you again. Breck hiked up his backpack strap and smiled back. And Good God Almighty, the way that smile turned him on.
He cleared his throat and refocused his attention back on his class. Yet, all the while, Breck’s heavy gaze was like a hand skimming over his skin.
Others noticed Breck’s arrival, too. Students openly gazed at Kai’s handsome lover from across the room. His assistants as well, shooting him curious glances, no doubt already speculating about every possible reason for this momentous event.
A few more minutes and class finally concluded. As students headed off to change, Jin and Dindy beelined a path straight to the lobby. Straight to Breck. Kai grinned and took his time walking over. By the time he arrived, his assistants were in full-blown fanboy mode, pummeling Breck with question after question about the NBA Draft. Breck seemed to answer as best he could, only to be hit by a flood of equally enthusiastic admirers bounding out of the locker rooms.
He flashed Kai an apologetic look. Kai chuckled, more amused than anything, and took his post by the door to bid all of his less enchanted students adieu.
Long moments later, the place was finally empty—minus Breck, Kai, and of course, Kai’s lingering assistants.
Jin beamed up at him. “So, what brings you here, anyway? I forgot to ask.”
Dindy nodded. “Yeah, what’s the occasion?”
“Um...” Breck shifted his weight and smiled at Kai. “I’ve actually got plans with your Grandmaster tonight. He’s gonna make me dinner.”
Kai lifted a brow. “Oh, am I now.” This was news to him. Although, in truth, he’d hoped for as much and already had stuff prepared.