Up and Coming (Coastal College Football Book 1) Read online

  He took a few deep breaths to settle the emotion. He texted back, inviting Jake to a party at the frat house that night. It was ten minutes before Jake replied, saying he’d try to make it.

  Now Emmett was worried. Which was stupid, because Seth was just a friend. Besides, Jake and Emmett hadn’t planned a formal date. He couldn’t expect Jake to sit around waiting for him.

  Emmett’s brain was going in a thousand directions, like he was a silly schoolgirl. It hadn’t been like that with Tawna. The two of them were reliable, predictable, and he had liked it that way. This thing with Jake was completely new, and it unsettled him.

  He changed out of his sweats, putting on black jeans and a gray button-down shirt. He could go to the party for a bit, hang with Waseem until Jake showed up. If Jake showed up.

  Had he been too aloof about Jake? Jake didn’t say anything like that, but he was getting the impression Jake never did. Jake expected you to act like a stand-up guy. And if you didn’t…

  His mind wandered back to their sophomore year, when Jake and his then-roommate planned to go to Florida for spring break. The two had been good friends since their first semester at Coastal. But when the guy bailed at the last minute, leaving Jake to cover the costs on his own, things changed between them. Jake said he was cool with it, but after that, Emmett noticed him hanging out with Seth more, and the two ended up rooming together Jake’s junior year. Jake never said a word about it that Emmett heard of, just dropped his sophomore-year roommate like he didn’t exist.

  Damn. Maybe Emmett needed to pay better attention.

  He typed out a text message, Want to see you tonight, baby. But then he realized it sounded like a booty call, and changed it to a simple, Miss you. He hit Send and instantly regretted it, unsure it was the right thing. But it was too late to change it now.

  The dance music was pumping, so he headed downstairs. Hardly anyone was there yet, just some frat brothers and their girlfriends. Someone handed him a beer. He sipped it and spotted Waseem talking to Garon.

  “Where’s your boy?” Garon asked.

  “Not here yet.”

  “He coming?” Waseem asked.

  Emmett chewed his cheek. “Not sure. He’s got plans with Seth tonight. Said he’d try.”

  “Hot little twink like that,” Garon said, “if you don’t treat him right, someone else will.”

  Emmett’s lips twitched. He liked Garon okay, but he wasn’t sure he liked some stranger calling Jake a twink. And he definitely didn’t like the suggestion that Emmett wouldn’t treat Jake right—but then, Garon had seen what an ass Emmett made of himself that night at the club. His face heated at the memory, fuzzy as it was from the alcohol.

  He wouldn’t let that happen again. Starting tonight, he’d show Jake how much he meant to him.

  If Jake gave him that chance.

  ***

  Jake pulled his jacket close around him. Walking across the quad under the starry sky, in step with Seth, the breeze nipped his cheeks. It wasn’t cold exactly, but October in North Carolina could be unpredictable. Some days it felt like summer, others like winter was setting in. Today had been cooler than usual.

  Jake’s stomach tightened as they headed for the frat house. As crazy as he was about the Emmett, he wouldn’t jump when the guy summoned him after ignoring him for three days. Part of him felt like he was jerking Emmett around, another like he was giving the dude exactly what he deserved. Jake needed to set boundaries.

  He got that football was important. But if Jake wasn’t also important, then this thing wouldn’t work—no matter how much Jake wanted it. He might not have Emmett’s star power, but he wouldn’t be treated like less of a person.

  “You sure you want to do this?” Seth asked. He was tall and thin with dark hair, and his glasses glinted in the moonlight. “If he doesn’t treat you right—”

  “Maybe I’m giving him too much of a pass because he’s confused about his sexuality. Also because he’s hot.” Jake grinned. “If I give up on him now, I’ll spend the rest of my life wondering what might have happened. He’s worth another chance.”

  Inside the frat house, the lights were dim. Emmett came over, and Jake’s heart jumped. He wanted to plant a sloppy kiss on the guy, but Emmett just fist bumped him and Seth. Jake tried not to resent it.

  Emmett was in the closet because of football. Jake had forgotten about that. Football was his excuse for everything—Emmett didn’t have to play by the same rules that mortals did.

  “We should talk,” Emmett said in Jake’s ear.

  “We should dance first.” Jake grabbed a couple of beers for himself and Seth, then headed into the room where some couples had taken to the floor. Spotting a group of women dancing together, Jake and his friends joined them.

  They sort of paired up, and the girl with Emmett was getting into it—an arm around his neck, a hand at his hip, her pelvis swaying in the same rhythm as his. Long, dark hair contrasted with her ivory skin and tight white tank underneath a red silky blouse. Emmett was laughing and joking, and Jake couldn’t help wondering if Emmett wanted a piece of that. He was bi, after all.

  Tightness coiled in Jake’s stomach. He had played it cool to see how would Emmett react, and he got his answer. He excused himself to Seth and the girls they were dancing with, then headed outside.

  The brisk air cleared the fog in his head. He swallowed to ease the knot in his throat. How dumb could he be? Emmett was so far out of his league—plus he was closeted and unwilling to commit. Jake should never have gotten involved, pining for three years over a man he couldn’t have.

  He turned at the sound of heavy footsteps. “You okay?” Emmett asked, brow drawn in concern.

  “Go back and dance with your girlfriend.”

  “She’s not my—what the fuck is wrong with you?” His voice quickly turned to one of irritation.

  Jake said in low tones, “I’m obviously not your boyfriend if you’re dancing with her that way.”

  “It’s a dance. She’s a stranger. What is your actual problem?”

  Jake turned away.

  “Fuck,” Emmett said. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk. Seth doesn’t need you holding his hand—besides, that girl he’s dancing with seems pretty eager to give him some booty. We can go up to my room.”

  “Not your room.”

  “Yeah. My room. To talk.”

  Jake followed him up the stairs, feet dragging. He didn’t want to do this, didn’t want to say the words that needed to be said between them. Especially not in that room, with that bed.

  Emmett closed the door behind them and rested his hands on Jake’s shoulders. Electricity shot through Jake’s body, which pissed him off. He didn’t want Emmett to affect him that way.

  “I’m not interested in anyone but you,” Emmett said. “I thought I told you that.”

  “You shouldn’t be dirty dancing with someone then, when the guy you’re supposed to be with is standing right next to you.”

  “It’s just a dance, Jake. I’m sorry if it upset you. I don’t know what the parameters of our relationship are, since you don’t seem to want to talk to me.”

  “I’ve wanted to talk to you for three days, and you were too busy for me.”

  “Hell yeah, I was busy. I had a football game today. And I played spectacularly, by the way, which you were apparently too busy pouting to notice.”

  Jake sucked in his bottom lip. “Sorry.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “You’re right, I should have congratulated you.”

  “Yeah, you should have. If I’ve broken some rule for dating you that I don’t know about—”

  “It’s not that. Wednesday night meant a lot to me, and I thought it meant something to you. But all I’ve gotten from you since then is a couple of texts.” Jake shook his head. “Guys who were casual hookups have sent me more. You and I are supposed to be friends, even if we’re not boyfriends—”

  Emmett’s mouth crashed into his, silencing him. For a moment Jake was too st
unned to react, but then he parted his lips to receive the tongue that was gently exploring him. They both tasted like beer, but Jake didn’t give a fuck. Emmett made the rest of the world disappear. Jake relaxed into him, savoring the feeling.

  Emmett pulled back and brushed his fingers through Jake’s hair. “We’ve both been dicks, haven’t we?”

  “You especially,” Jake said with a smirk.

  Emmett chuckled. “I’m sorry I have to put football first, and I understand why you resent that. I care about you, Jake, but my football commitments aren’t negotiable, and neither are my classes. I will make time for you, I promise. And we’ve got time right now. Can we please make the most of it?”

  Jake nodded. “Sorry I was a whiny bitch.”

  “You weren’t. If I’m supposed to text you every hour to let you know I’m thinking of you, I can do that.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “But you want me to.”

  “It would be nice…”

  “Yeah.” Emmett took off Jake’s shirt, tossing it onto the floor. Then he backed him against the closed door, covering Jake in the heat of his body, and kissing him so deeply and earnestly that Jake couldn’t doubt that the man wanted him, and not just physically.

  “You seem weirdly okay with being bi for someone who insists on staying in the closet.”

  “I don’t have a problem with being bi.” Emmett trailed kisses along Jake’s neck. “I’d like to have one pro season behind me before I come out publicly, that’s all. A rookie season is tough enough without becoming the poster boy for being LGBT in sports.”

  Jake nodded. It made sense, even though he hated the idea of keeping their relationship on the down low. It wasn’t like he was in a position to make demands—they weren’t even in a committed relationship. At least, they hadn’t had that conversation.

  He forced the words out. “All right, so, I’m going to say this to make sure we’re on the same page. I’m not sleeping with anyone else, but I don’t want to just assume that you aren’t either—”

  “Since three days ago?” Emmett laughed, a low, rolling sound that Jake had always loved, that filled his heart like no other. “Not interested in anyone else. Want only you, Jakey.”

  Emmett gave him a deep, tender kiss that settled any irritation over the juvenile nickname. It wasn’t long before desire built to insistence.

  But sex wouldn’t solve the questions still between them. Jake’s brain was sending messages for him to slow down but his blood had rushed to his dick and thinking was temporarily suspended for more urgent action. Despite the warning signals to break the kiss, he cupped the back of Emmett’s neck and pulled him closer while using the other hand to loosen the tail of Emmett’s shirt from the waistband of his jeans. He wanted him naked, and fast—until Emmett got down on his knees, and all of Jake’s wants quickly changed.

  ***

  “Emmett.”

  Jake’s breathy moan made Emmett hot all over. Not that the kiss hadn’t already started that ball rolling. Emmett tried not to think about what he was doing as he opened the front of Jake’s pants. As much as his body wanted this, the rest of him was really fucking nervous.

  Sucking cock wasn’t something he’d spent much time in his life thinking about. In fact, he’d spent exactly zero time thinking about it until three weeks earlier. He had no idea how it’d feel or if he’d be any good at it, and he especially didn’t know how he’d react when Jake came. But he was determined to find out tonight, because it was amazing when Jake did it to him and he wanted to make Jake feel that way, too.

  He shucked down Jake’s jeans and boxers, sliding them off him, then nuzzled his erection. Jake’s masculine scent deepened the desire building in his center. He glided his palm over the shaft, gently running his thumb along a pulsing vein. As he ran the tip of his tongue across the slit, Jake moaned. The salty-sweet taste of the precum wasn’t unpleasant, and he sucked the cap into his mouth. Jake ran his fingers over Emmett’s hair, but it was cut too short for him to find any purchase. He cupped the back of Emmett’s head but without pulling Emmett closer. For whatever reason, Emmett really fucking liked Jake’s hand there, ready to guide him or even hold Emmett in place while Jake fucked his mouth. His dick turned rock-hard thinking about it.

  Emmett didn’t waste any time. He slid his lips down as far as they could go, slowly enough that he didn’t gag. He wanted all of Jake, wanted to swallow him like Jake had done. But there was nothing teasing in Emmett’s technique, at least not tonight. He sucked hard, cheeks hollowing, his soft palate massaging Jake’s head before he took him into his throat. Jake was groaning and bucking and saying his name, and Emmett loved it. Loved watching someone as pensive as Jake step out of his head and lose it completely.

  Emmett came up for air just long enough to say, “Fuck my face.”

  Jake caressed him. “Are you sure?”

  But Emmett’s mouth was already back on Jake’s cock, so he just nodded.

  Jake grasped Emmett with both hands and thrust in. Experimental strokes quickly went deeper. Emmett wanted it—damn, how he wanted it. He squeezed Jake’s firm ass, increasing the rhythm. Then he felt a fluttering in Jake’s shaft, and hot cum shot down into the back of his mouth. He swallowed it as fast as he could. It wasn’t exactly the nectar of the gods, but even if it was a little caustic, it was okay. It was better than okay, because it was Jake. Jake’s cum was inside him, and the thought made him smile.

  Jake was draped over him now—on his knees, breathing hard, arms wrapped around Emmett. Kisses on his neck pulsed heat into his dick, reminding Emmett he was still hard.

  He slid his aching cock against Jake’s hipbone, and Jake took the hint. He wrapped his hand around it—fucking amazing—and spread precum over the tip. Desire rushed through Emmett, and his thoughts dissolved into sensation.

  They made their way to the bed. Emmett sat while Jake knelt between his legs. The slide of those lips, the heat of that mouth tested Emmett’s self-control. He couldn’t help thrusting into Jake’s mouth. It was so good being sucked off by another man, a man who understood just what he liked. And especially because it was Jake, who had been a good friend to him, and who had been patient about the stuff messing up Emmett’s head. Emmett felt bad about that, or would have, if he could feel bad about anything with Jake milking his cock in the most perfect, long strokes.

  Jake’s cheeks hollowed, ripping the orgasm from him. And Emmett couldn’t tell whether Jake was just super skilled at giving blow jobs, or whether his feelings for Jake were what made it so good.

  Jake climbed up into the bed, and they lay side by side, gazing into each other’s eyes. Jake was ridiculously handsome, with that blond hair and soft blue eyes. This wasn’t what Emmett had pictured for himself growing up, yet here he was, falling for this hot little white dude. His parents wouldn’t believe it, but they’d be cool with it once they got used to the idea.

  “Will your parents be okay with you dating me?” Emmett asked.

  Jake wrinkled his brow, and something Emmett couldn’t name flashed in his eyes. “Why wouldn’t they be?”

  “Because I’m Black. Some people have a problem with that.”

  Jake chuckled. “Sorry, yeah, they’ll be cool. They just want me to be happy.” His expression turned serious. “I hate that you feel you even have to ask that question.”

  Emmett shrugged. “Part of life.”

  “It shouldn’t be.” Jake kissed his cheek. “I can’t promise my family will be perfect, but they’ll be on your side. My grandma writes adventure romances with characters of all nationalities. Different races, different religions—she loves mixing it up. Says it adds spice to life. It would be boring if we were all the same.” Jake ran his hand across Emmett’s chest. “How do you think your family will react to me?”

  “My mom will pass it off as a joke at first, me being bi. After a couple of hours, it’ll sink in that it’s real, and she’ll start adjusting to the idea. My dad will have a ton of
questions. Like, am I happy, am I sure, have I thought about what this will mean for my future…but he’ll be supportive. He always is. My mom is the hard-ass in my house.”

  “I don’t know about that. You’ve got a pretty hard ass yourself,” Jake said, squeezing him.

  Emmett pounced, plundering that delicious mouth. He could eat Jake up all night.

  Nothing in his life had ever felt this right. It was happening fast, and he knew he should resist. Knew it wasn’t rational to fall this hard for a guy he had been dating a few days. But if this was their future? Bring it.

  Chapter 9

  Emmett was sitting in the locker room after practice on Monday, processing the day’s work. It had been a good session, his mind sharper than it had been the past few days. The situation with Jake must have been weighing on him more than he realized. Fact was, he was exchanging one set of problems for another. Jake was going to be a distraction either way. At least now, he was a good one.

  Demonté snapped Emmett’s arm with a towel as he walked past buck naked. He was a sophomore and thought he was hot shit. Emmett needed to keep an eye on him, or he could become a problem. He was a talented running back, but Emmett wasn’t above keeping the ball out of his hands an entire game to teach him a lesson about the pecking order. Because Emmett was at the top, and a sophomore should not be snapping him with a towel.

  “Take it easy, man,” was all Emmett said. Demonté gave him a cocky laugh.

  Funny how the sight of Demonté’s body didn’t do anything for Emmett. His smoky brown skin was smooth and taut over ripped muscle. He was attractive by any objective standard, yet the thought of being with him held no appeal. Maybe that was why Emmett had never realized he was bisexual. He hung around naked guys all the time, and he’d never felt a twinge of interest.

  But the memory of Jake naked…his body was screaming for it, to be with him that way again.

  Rising, he picked up his gear and headed out into the dusk. He went to the caf and met up with some guys from the team for a late dinner. Then, stepping out onto the quad under the stars, he texted Jake.