His voice was so deep and loud that Jett barely comprehended what was being said until he started speaking again.
“I don’t think I could go back to being just friends after that. I don’t think I’ll be able to be in the same room without picturing you on your knees for me.”
Jett sniggered, pressing his face against Harrison’s skin to muffle it before pulling away. “Was the blowjob that good? Jeez, I’ll have to call my ex and thank him for teaching me—”
Harrison roughly cupped his jaw, pushing Jett away so he could glare at him. “You don’t have an ex, you little shit. Stop trying to piss me off.”
“But it’s working so well,” said Jett. “I like it when you get all growly and possessive over me. I think it’s my new favourite thing.”
Harrison fought to keep his glare steady but failed. A disgruntled groan escaped him as he finally released Jett’s face, shaking his head in reluctant defeat.
Jett kept smiling at him until Harrison’s expression softened again, shifting into something that had Jett’s heart stuttering. He held his breath as Harrison cupped his cheek, brushing his thumb over his swollen lower lip.
“There it is,” Harrison said softly. “That goddamn smile.”
Jett had to blink away tears. He didn’t know if he could keep looking at Harrison if he continued to gaze at him with such blinding adoration. The butterflies in his stomach felt like they were on the verge of self-destructing.
“I know you said you can’t come,” said Jett slowly, watching Harrison’s expression to make sure he didn’t slink behind his mental walls again. “But I’m saying this out loud to get it out there. I have my ticketbooked for the window seat, and I booked the seat beside me too. I was going to ask my dad to spend time with me during camp, but he’s havingwaytoo much fun harassing ocean creatures. That seat will stay empty and available, unless someone sends me a message and tells me otherwise.”
Harrison let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes. Jett was worried that he might have poked too hard, but then he opened them again, and he was momentarily distracted by howbluethey were.
“I’ll think about it,” said Harrison. He took another shaky breath and then crushed Jett to his chest. “I’ll fucking think about it.”
His words hung heavy in the air with promise, but Jett already knew his answer.
Jett buried his face into Harrison’s neck and bit his lip, using the pain as a distraction to keep the tears from falling.
It didn’t work.
They stayed like that for the rest of the day, lying in bed, quietly talking about nothing and everything. They only stopped when their stomachs started growling loud enough to wake them from their nap, but as soon as Harrison cooked them a meal and they were fed, they returned to bed.
This time, they were in Harrison’s room, and Jett didn’t know if he could force himself to leave once it was time. He had spent hours intertwined with Harrison, his fingers running through his ridiculously long hair while being surrounded by his scent.
It was like being lost in the best dream ever, while his worst nightmare lingered on the horizon.
But then his alarm went off late that night, and Jett knew it was time to leave.
Harrison hesitated before letting him go, and Jett gave him a reassuring smile as he got up and prepared himself for what was to come.
He went to his room alone, packing the rest of his stuff, but leaving a few items behind. It was like making a promise to himself that he wouldbe back. He was leaving his stuff behind to stake a claim, because Harrison was his, and he wanted the world to know it.
He finished by making his bed and removing his jersey from the closet. He intended to put it on, but stopped. Smiling, Jett laid it neatly on his bed as a gift for Harrison to find once he was gone.
He lugged his suitcase and carry-on to the front door, trying to be quiet in case Harrison had chosen to hide in his room and sleep away their goodbye.
That wasn’t the case because he found Harrison waiting for him on the porch, awake and disgruntled.
“You got everything?” Harrison asked, breaking their hour-long comfortable silence.
“Everything I want to bring, yeah,” said Jett. “Christmas is just around the corner, so I’ll be back to visit this island of isolation then.”
“Jett, it’s summer. Christmas is nowhere close.”
Jett smiled at Harrison until he rolled his eyes and took his suitcase from him, carrying it down the stairs to get away from him.
Jett bounded after him, grinning wide enough to make his cheeks ache. “Oh, come on,” he said, poking his back. “Hockey always makes time pass faster. It’ll be Christmas before you know it.”
“Uh-huh.” Harrison, who had his car keys, unlocked his vehicle and started wrestling the bag into the back.
