Chapter Eighteen

One of the funniest things Brad had ever had the pleasure of experiencing was attempting to take the used, crusty condom off Kendrick's ass cheek. He had no idea how it had glued itself there. He had forgotten about the condom Kendrick had used last night when cleaning them up, not that he'd been able to do a superb job of it.

He took it between his index finger and thumb and chuckled when Kendrick mumbled, "Stop."

"I'm trying to peel the condom off you, baby." He couldn't keep the humor from his tone.

Kendrick huffed in frustration and then whined, "Trying to sleep."

"You're grouchy in the morning." Brad kissed his cheek.

Kendrick turned and scowled at Brad. "Why are we awake?"

"Because it's a bright and cheerful morning." Brad grinned. Maybe Caden had been right about Brad needing to get laid. Maybe he'd been in a worse mood than he'd thought. That it was making love made the experience sweeter, and maybe that was the reason he felt great.

Brad ran a finger across Kendrick's bottom lip. His mood had everything to do with the man in his bed. No doubt about that.

"You suck." Despite Kendrick's words and trying to keep things serious, he gave Brad a playful smile.

"Not right now, but maybe in the shower."

Kendrick chuckled and sat, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He grabbed Brad's hand and tried pulling him when he stood. Brad chuckled when Kendrick couldn't get very far but gave him a break by getting out of bed.

They made their way over to the door and Kendrick opened it just enough to peek into the hallway. When he didn't see Caden, he darted toward the bathroom, naked as he had been when they'd crashed, and holding Brad's hand the entire way.

"I love the way the used condom flapped around on your ass as you sprinted those few feet." Brad shut the door behind him and grabbed at the crusty thing, ripping it off Kendrick like a bandage.

"Oh yuck." Kendrick chuckled again, bent over to start the water for the shower.

Brad tossed it into the trash.

He had dried cum on his ass cheek, not that Brad cared. Kendrick was still the hottest thing he had ever seen. Brad ran his hand over Kendrick's ass.

Kendrick turned, giving him a smile. And it was at that moment that something in Brad awoke for the first time in his life. Contentment settled into his bones, bringing everything around him into his realm of peace. His chest ached as though his heart grew too big for his bones.

He whispered the first thing that came to his mind. "I love you."

Kendrick straightened and turned to face him. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Panic grew for about two seconds and then Kendrick launched himself at him, wrapping his arms around Brad's waist and going in for a hug before he pulled back enough for their gazes to meet. "I love you too. I never thought you'd be the one to say it first. You surprised me."

"Why didn't you think I would say it first?" Brad carried Kendrick into the shower, which made things awkward but neither one of them cared. He maneuvered Kendrick under the spray.

Kendrick leaned his head back and shut his eyes, letting Brad take care of him. Brad ran his fingers through Kendrick's hair as he wet it. He liked touching the soft waviness.

"I don't know. I guess because I'm not very good at keeping my feelings to myself. I'm kind of a touchy-feely person. More than you, I thought."

Brad poked Kendrick in the ribs, tickling him. "You are a touchy guy."

Kendrick moved away, laughing. "Bradley Flynn, stop it. You're gonna make me drown." Kendrick squirmed around, trying to get away from Brad's teasing.

Brad stopped because Kendrick was right about one thing. He could slip in the wet tub. He held him around the waist and pulled him close. "I won't let you get hurt."

Kendrick smiled. "I know."

"You're no use to me waterlogged."

"No use to you? Really? We're going to play it like that." Kendrick stepped out of Brad's arms and out of the spray. Brad didn't know what Kendrick was playing at, but the grin gave away the fact that he had something up his sleeve.

It wasn't until he bent that Brad realized Kendrick's arm was behind him.

The cold water hit Brad in the chest before he figured out what Kendrick did. "Shit. Cold. Cold."

He scrambled out of the tub. Brad never remembered Kendrick laughing so hard. The sound of it warmed Brad's blood.

And then Kendrick stepped under the spray, which told Brad that somewhere in his attempt to get away from the cold water, Kendrick had turned on the hot tap. Brad stepped back inside, grinning as he said, "Mean."

That made Kendrick laugh all over again.

"I can't believe you did that." Brad grabbed the shampoo and put some on his hand, before working it into Kendrick's hair.

"Believe." The one word came out sassy, which was something else Brad never thought would ever happen. Not too long ago, Kendrick had stammered through a sentence, insecure about himself.

After Brad rinsed Kendrick's hair clean of shampoo, he drew Kendrick in for a kiss. He had just deepened it, getting a little taste, when Caden knocked on the door.

"Kendrick." The door muffled Caden's voice, but they still understood him.

Brad ended the kiss. "Bet he asks you to make breakfast."

Kendrick smiled. When he spoke, he raised his voice enough for Caden to hear through the closed door. "What?"

"Will you teach me to make omelets?"

"How does he not know how to make omelets?" Kendrick whispered that question as he shook his head and sighed. To Caden, he said, "Do you honestly want to learn?"

"No. But I honestly want to eat, and it's less of an asshole move if I offer to help."

Kendrick chuckled. "We'll be out in a few minutes."

"Cool. Also, Good morning."

"Good morning." Kendrick shook his head again, but he had a smile on his face. "He's very charming."

"Yes, he is. And he knows it."

Kendrick grabbed the bar of soap, lathering his hands before rubbing across Brad's chest. "I was thinking we might have a poker night thing at the bar on Sunday. Since it's closed that day."

"Poker?"

"Yeah. I was just thinking about how difficult it is for you and Caden with Luis in the hospital. Reconnecting with some of your friends will help you both even if it is just a little." Kendrick moved down to Brad's abdomen and then to his cock. Rubbing his slick, soapy hands on it made Brad hard.

"That's a great idea, baby. I think it will help a lot." Brad thought Kendrick being in his life was all he really needed, but poker night sounded like fun.

"Okay, then I'll text Jaron. He'll let everyone know. And I'll talk to Royce. I think he needs a day out of his own head more than anyone." Kendrick drove Brad crazy. He cupped Brad's balls, rolling them around.

Brad shut his eyes, enjoying the attention. "Do you have to work tonight?"

"Yeah."

"If you don't mind, I'll come with you. I have a few things to do in the upstairs apartment."

"I don't mind at all." Kendrick kissed him on the neck. "You have a hickey right here."