Page 33 of Seal the Deal
“Yeah, a real tragedy,” Nicholas says, hoping he doesn’t sound as full of bullshit as he feels.
Many times after visiting here, he leaves full of a different kind of pent up energy, driving to a club to find a nameless hookup. That urge is gone, but Nicholas isn’t sure what’s taken its place is any better.
“We could get something to eat,” Nicholas blurts.
“I thought you ate already. You told me to eat first because you weren’t gonna feed me.”
Did Nicholas say that? Fuck, he’s an asshole.
“Dessert then,” Nicholas suggests, feeling reckless and desperate. He’s not ready to leave Andrew yet.
“Dessert,” Andrew hums, almost like he’s thinking it over. A little bubble of hope surges in Nicholas's chest, crushed seconds later. “I need to go home. I need a shower.”
“Can’t handle being dirty, princess?” Nicholas smirks, trying to imbue as much flirting as he can into his tone.
“No,” Andrew answers with a serious expression. He pulls at his coveralls. “These made me all sweaty. I don’t like it. I don’t like being dirty at all. Ever.”
Nicholas stares at Andrew, unsure if the innuendo went over his head, or he’s purposely ignoring it. He tries again.
“I could definitely go for a shower, too. Get naked and wet, maybe soapy, too.”
“Naked and soapy is usually the default for a shower,” Andrew replies, pulling off his gloves. “My fingers are sweaty. Disgusting.”
“I like being sweaty,” Nicholas leers, trying again.
“That must be useful as a professional athlete,” Andrew replies.
There’s no mistaking it this time, it just went completely over his head. Nicholas isn’t sure if he wants to groan or laugh.
“There are other fun ways to be sweaty.”
“No,” Andrew replies, with such a serious expression on his face Nicholas does laugh. “Don’t laugh at me, I’m serious. There are no fun ways to be sweaty. Name one, I dare you.”
“Sex.”
“Oh.” Andrew’s lips purse together. “That’s not fun.”
“Maybe you’re having sex wrong.”
“You wouldn’t be the first to say that,” Andrew sighs, his mood crashing hard and fast. Whatever the fuck Nicholas said it was the wrong thing. “We should go.”
“You promised me dessert.”
Andrew’s eyebrows scrunch together adorably. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did,” Nicholas presses. “Just now.”
“No, I just said dessert then hummed.”
Eager to find a work around, Nicholas thinks.
“Tonight is still my date night, right?”
“Yeah,” Andrew confirms.
“Then I want dessert,” Nicholas says, aware he sounds like a demanding asshole and not caring. He just…wants to be around Andrew. It’s confusing, and he hates it, but not as much as he hates the idea of going home to an empty house.
“Alright,” Andrew agrees, surprising him with his easy acquiescence. “But dessert is going to be a pint of ice cream eaten on my couch because I’m going home to shower and change, and there’s no way I’m leaving my apartment again once I have home clothes on.”
