Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
His frenetic schedule meant he had barely had time to think, let alone to talk to Reg about what he was thinking, but that hadn’t kept him from sharing his bed with Reg every night. It had gotten to the point where Jeremy was so desperate to get to the hotel and feel Reg’s heat and strength and safety that he practically vibrated at the end of every day.
The first morning he woke up tangled around Reg’s body like a monkey, he worried Reg would be angry or uncomfortable. But when he’d glanced up to see Reg’s expression, Jeremy had been met with a sleepy smile. Then Reg rubbed his big hand over Jeremy’s back, kissed the top of his head, and said, “Good morning, superstar. You sleep okay?” So Jeremy relaxed and let himself enjoy the feeling of being held and petted.
After that, it was remarkably easy to climb into bed next to Reg every night and crawl over so he could get closer. He had never fallen asleep as easily or slept as soundly as he did when Reg was wrapped around him. Even Reg getting up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night was a good thing, because when he returned, he always pulled Jeremy to him again and caressed his leg or his chest or his back. Sometimes he’d even nuzzle Jeremy’s neck, his hot breath ghosting over Jeremy’s skin along with his stubbled cheeks. If Jeremy had ever experienced a more perfect moment, he couldn’t name it.
Which was why on Saturday morning, Jeremy stayed still and quiet, tucked into Reg’s side while he slept. The next show was on Monday night, and they didn’t have to leave until Sunday, so other than a couple of phone interviews, they had the whole day off. Knowing how run-down Jeremy was, Reg hadn’t planned an adventure, instead saying they’d spend the day in sweats watching TV or playing cards. It sounded perfect.
“How’d you sleep?” Reg rumbled, his voice always extragravelly first thing in the morning.
“Really good.” Jeremy had his head on Reg’s shoulder, his arm around Reg’s chest, and his leg draped over Reg’s hip. He didn’t want to move.
“Me too.” Reg rubbed his hand up and down Jeremy’s back. “I better get up to hit the head.” He dipped his face forward, pressed it into Jeremy’s hair, and inhaled deeply. “Mmm. You smell good, JJ.”
After another breath and a full-body squeeze, Reg climbed out of bed. “Be back in a flash.”
After rolling onto his back, Jeremy stared up at the ceiling and started thinking. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt well-rested and clear-headed. He knew it was time to talk with Reg.
“You still tired?” Reg asked as he walked back into the room. “Or are you ready to get up?”
“Not tired.” Jeremy sat up and slid his feet onto the floor. “But we can stay in bed for a while and talk.” He darted his gaze toward Reg and then glanced away. “If you want.”
“Sure.” Reg hopped onto the bed. “I’m game for whatever. It’s a free day, right?”
Smiling, Jeremy said, “Right. But first, it’s my turn in the bathroom.”
He made quick work of draining his bladder, brushing his teeth, washing his face, and brushing his hair. Then he went back into the bedroom, where Reg was sitting up in bed typing on his phone.
“Sorry,” he said. “Just returning a few texts. Be done in a sec.”
Deciding to turn that comment into an opening for the conversation he wanted to have, Jeremy said, “No problem.” He sat on the other end of the bed. “Who’re you texting?”
“Uh, my brother right now. Just finished answering my mom.”
Jeremy scooted closer. “If there’s anyone else you need to text or call, that’s fine, yeah?” He paused, and when Reg didn’t respond, he said, “Is there?”
“Huh?” Reg looked away from his phone.
“Is there anyone else you need to catch up with?”
“Oh.” Reg kept typing. “Yup, a couple of buddies, but it’s no big. I can do it later.”
“Buddies?”
After setting the phone on the nightstand, Reg turned to Jeremy and gave him his attention. “Yup. Guys I know from college. They’re still in Phoenix, so I don’t see them as much as I used to, but we keep up.”
“Oh.” Jeremy chewed on the inside of his lip, trying to figure out what to say to get the conversation moving in a way that wasn’t pushy or offensive. “What about, uh, your exes?” He lowered his gaze. “You keep up with them?”
“Not really.” Reg shook his head. “But I don’t have a lot of exes like that. I’ve dated and hooked up and shit, but as far as relationships, there’s only been one, and it was in college, so it’s been years.”
Whether it was on purpose or unintentional, Jeremy didn’t know, but Reg seemed to always phrase things in a way that kept Jeremy from knowing anything about his dating history. Giving up on subtlety, Jeremy finally said, “How come you never talk about your ex and people you’ve dated?”