Chapter 14

Crystal was lazing on the sofa watching television whilst scrolling endlessly on her phone.

"He'll be here soon," Billy said, plumping a cushion up.

"Will you relax? It's only Eddie."

Only Eddie?

He sighed and checked himself out in the mirror. Summer was still in full force so he had chosen a black T-shirt and black linen trousers.

"You look gorgeous," Crystal said.

"I never know if you're taking the piss."

She put her phone down and lay on her front. "No lies, you scrub up well," she said. "You really like him, don't you?"

"Yes," he replied. "I do."

"Good. So do I."

Billy grinned. That meant more to him than anything.

"That's handy. I wouldn't have him round if you didn't."

"I can't wait to tell him my news."

Billy came over and kissed her on the head. "I'm so proud of you."

The doorbell rang and Billy almost leapt out of his skin.

"He's here," Billy exclaimed.

"What are you waiting for? Go on. I'll be in my room getting changed."

"You don't have to."

The doorbell sounded out again.

"Move. Have your little smoochy smooch."

Billy swatted her over the head and dashed over to the flat door. He opened it to reveal Eddie. As usual he looked amazing in an oversized pink shirt that had dinosaurs on it. He'd paired it with beige chinos and bright pink hi-top trainers.

Eddie always managed to make Billy feel like a frump. Yet, he wouldn't dare compete. Some people had a different sense of style.

"Well, hello," Eddie said.

"Hello back."

Billy opened his arms and Eddie walked into them. As he closed his arms around him, Billy luxuriated in the feel of Eddie's body.

God he's sexy.

Eddie leaned over and kissed Billy. The taste of those lips was fast becoming Billy's favourite thing. They stood at the door and snogged like two teenagers.

When they finally came up for air, Eddie stared at him.

"That's quite the welcome."

"Come in."

Billy led him into the flat. He willed his semi to disappear before Crystal emerged from her bedroom.

"Wow," Eddie said, making a beeline for the floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a view over the marina. "This is fancy."

Billy joined him and cuddled into him. "Bought at a different time in my life."

"Still suits you."

Billy nuzzled Eddie's neck. He yearned to be naked with him later.

"I have a confession," Billy said.

He wrapped his arms around Eddie's waist.

"Oh yes?"

"I've said that we'd join Harry and his gang on the beach for an early evening picnic. You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all. Is it a special occasion."

"Kind of. I'll let someone else explain that. Crystal!"

Eddie sprang away from him. "You nearly deafened me."

Billy kissed him. "Sorry. We're a bit excited in this house."

"Have you finished kissing?" Crystal asked as she came in the room.

"I've room for one more," Eddie said, kissing Billy's cheek. "So come on then. What's this news?"

Eddie cuddled into Billy's side as they both watched Crystal take a deep breath.

"I got a trial for Manchester United Girls Academy."

"What? Are you shitting me? Sorry, are you kidding me? Come here."

Eddie held his free arm out and so did Billy. Crystal ran to them for a three-way hug.

"You deserve it," Eddie said. "You are brilliant. That coach has done you proud."

They broke off. Billy wandered into the open plan kitchen. He had things to get ready for the celebration.

"Harry doesn't know yet," Crystal said. "So, no blurting it out at the beach."

Eddie put his hands on his hips. "Are you telling me I can't do a naked streak screaming your news at the top of my voice?"

Billy certainly wouldn't complain at that.

"Maybe don't shout anything," Billy suggested.

"Gross," Crystal declared.

She was about to sit down on the sofa.

"Don't even think about it," Billy said. "You can come and help me, seeing as this is all about you."

The beach had clusters of people making the most of the evening warmth. When Billy had first taken Crystal into his home, they'd spent a lot of time there. He'd been determined to help her talk through her feelings about losing their mother. It appeared she found that easier staring out to sea.

Billy hoped that she could put a lot of the pain behind her one day. He was determined to celebrate her good news in style. Harry and his family had already made a little camp.

"Hey," Harry said, getting to his feet. He lifted Lennox up to great squeals of delight as he threw him up and caught him.

Billy walked over and hugged his brother.

"Thanks for doing this at short notice. It'll mean the world to her."

Kim came in for a hug. "Is this the salesman?" she whispered in his ear.

"Certainly is."

"Gorgeous."

They both made a fuss of welcoming Eddie.

The whole family sat down. Cassius was asleep in his car seat. He was a cherub. As Billy stared down at him, he could see the resemblance to his mother. It caught in his throat. She would be so proud to see them all together like this.

"Mum would have loved these two," Billy said.

Harry rubbed his back. "Thanks. If only, eh?"

Billy caught his gaze. "Yeah."

"So," Kim said. "What's the big announcement?"

"Crystal?"

"I got a trial for Man U."

Harry's jaw dropped. "Are you shitting me?"

"That's what I said," Eddie said.

"Shit," Lennox repeated.

"Oh, well done," Kim said with a grin.

"Shit. Shit. Shit." Lennox said when he saw the adults' amusement.

"No," Harry said. "That's a bad word."

"Shit."

"Tell us everything," Kim said. "And ignore my first-born."

Crystal explained how the coach had contacted them a few hours ago to give them the news.

"As she's a late possibility for the September cohort, they're coming to see her in the next week or so," Billy said.

He caught Eddie frowning. "That's not long to practice."

Crystal shrugged. "They must think I don't need it."

"Thank you, Miss Cocky," Billy replied. "You'll be working up to the minute they arrive."

Crystal didn't look impressed. "I've just done a load of work for my exams. This is supposed to be my summer of fun."

"Billy's right," Harry said. "If you want to make it in sport, you have to give everything."

"If that's the case," Crystal said, producing a football out of her beach bag. "You'd better put your money where your mouth is."

Lennox wriggled out of Harry's arms and made a beeline for the ball.

"We'd better show him how to play," Eddie said.

He and Crystal got to their feet and led Lennox away from the picnic area. Billy watched how effortlessly Eddie played with the kids.

"Not sure she'll get much practice with her nephew helping," Kim said.

She and Billy emptied their bags of food. Harry sat cross-legged, watching.

"Manchester United is a big frigging deal," he said.

"Will you watch your language, Harry?" Kim said.

"Somehow I don't think Cassius is going to pick up on it. He's out for the count."

Kim slapped Harry on the leg. "Get into the habit."

"Yes, boss. Are we allowed a beer?"

"No," Billy replied. "You can have a Coke like everyone else."

"Shall we call into a bar on the way to yours?" Kim said. "Toast it properly."

Harry gave her a loaded stare. "I'm sure Billy has other plans for the evening."

"Shut it," Billy replied.

He glanced over his shoulder. Lennox was dribbling the ball. At almost half the size of him, he was achieving this feat with his belly rather than his foot. Eddie and Crystal were falling about laughing.

"I may have been wrong," Harry said.

"About what?" Kim replied. "There's so much to choose from."

"Eddie," Harry said, making Billy snap to attention. "Turns out he's a decent guy after all."

Billy stared at his brother. The changes that had come to Billy's life recently almost took his breath away. Yet, he was happy.

He had to trust in it.

Billy was on his knees, Eddie's solid cock in front of him. The evening had stretched out. No matter how happy he was for Crystal, Billy had wanted to fast forward through everything until he was at this moment.

He looked up at Eddie, who was watching him. Billy licked his lips.

"You're so sexy," Eddie said.

Wordlessly, Billy took Eddie's cock into his mouth. He slid his lips down the length of his solid shaft until he reached the base. Quietly, Eddie groaned. He held on to the wall for support.

Crystal would probably be asleep. Yet, Eddie's first sleepover was not the time to completely let themselves go. No matter how difficult it might be to stay silent.

Billy rested his hands on Eddie's thighs and sucked him. Eddie reached down and lightly stroked Billy's head. This spurred Billy on to buck his head back and forth, travelling up and down Eddie's shaft.

After a few minutes, Eddie broke the kiss.

"Stand over by the window," he said.

Billy obeyed. He had his back to Eddie, who kissed his spine. Outside, it was dark. The bars had long since closed.

Eddie travelled down his spine to the tip of his butt crack. Billy anticipated what was coming and spread his legs to give Eddie all the access he needed.

They hadn't had a conversation about what they both liked. It appeared that neither had any limits where the other was concerned.

Eddie roughly forced Billy's ass cheeks apart and kissed his hole.

Fuck.

That sent shockwaves of ecstasy right up his body to the top of his head. He groaned and dropped his head.

Eddie tugged Billy's hips, bending him over slightly. Then he lapped at his ass. Long strokes of his tongue causing explosions of pleasure. Billy gripped the window ledge.

His cock ached for attention.

As if sensing this, Eddie reached around and took Billy in hand. In perfect momentum, he continued rimming him while stroking his cock.

Billy tensed. His toes curling against the soft carpet. Eddie's touch felt like silk on him. Billy closed his eyes, focusing all his energy on the sensations flooding his body.

"I'm going to come," he said, softly.

This made Eddie go faster. Billy bent over farther, giving him more access.

"Oh fuck," he stammered.

He came hard, the warm cum falling from him onto the T-shirt below that he'd thrown off as soon as they'd found themselves alone. As Billy's body was a mass of tremors, Eddie squeezed the last drops out of him.

Billy turned just as Eddie got to his feet.

"Fuck, you're incredible," Billy said.

They kissed.

"You're not bad yourself," Eddie replied. "Now get back on your knees."

They were snuggled in each other's arms. Eddie's head seemed to fit perfectly in the crook of Billy's neck.

"I've had a wonderful evening," Eddie said. "Thank you."

"I like having you here," Billy replied.

One of Eddie's dreadlocks tickled his nose and he wriggled free.

"You need to keep that hair under control," he said, sitting up.

Eddie stuck to his side like a limpet. He squeezed Billy tight.

"I'm not letting go until the morning."

"Good."

They were silent for a moment. Something had been playing on Billy's mind and he wouldn't sleep unless he raised it.

"When am I getting the contract?"

Eddie sighed. "Are we really going to talk work?"

"Just that little question."

"There's no rush. The shopfitters will be over this week to measure up. Once they've got that sorted, we'll move things on."

Billy didn't understand but trusted in the process.

"Did I tell you an architecture practice are interested? They are really into all the sustainable stuff I've done."

This time, Eddie raised his head. "That's amazing news."

"Yeah. I can't wait to get into it again."

"Okay, I've got a question for you. Why do you even bother with the shop?"

Billy sighed. He didn't like being dishonest to Eddie about his and Harry's plan to build it up and sell it on.

"It's Crystal's legacy more than ours," he explained. "Her father started it. We think she should be at least an adult before we do anything."

Eddie frowned. "Doesn't her dad have any claim?"

Billy shook his head. "He transferred everything over to Mum before he got sent down."

"Clever, I suppose."

"He's a wily bastard when it comes to money. Now come here. Let's go to sleep."

Eddie resumed his position. Billy got comfortable against the pillow.

Times might be changing but he was ready for them.

No matter what.