Block and Strike by Kelly Jensen

Author:Kelly Jensen [Jensen, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63533-229-2
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-01-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

TIME HAD passed oddly in prison, some weeks being interminable, others disappearing when he turned his head. Jake supposed time moved like that always, he’d just noticed it more when his days had been strictly regulated. Still, he didn’t think he’d ever experienced a week filled with such expectation. Well, maybe waiting for Caroline to be born. But that week had most definitely not been filled with such temptation.

Keeping his hands off Max on Monday night nearly undid him. Thankfully, Alyssa had clued in to the issue right away and assigned them separate partners. While Jake wiped the floor with the sneering Barry, Max worked with Arthur. He snuck in a kiss at Max’s door, one that jellied his knees all over again, and bit his tongue over an invitation to more. Max’s eyes held a similar spark of urgency.

Why were they waiting until Saturday to go out?

Wednesday, Jake met with his parole officer. He planned to spend the rest of the evening practicing his anger management techniques. Wednesday always seemed a good day for that. Instead, he fell into a brood, as he sometimes did. At least he wasn’t out there stirring up trouble, even if his brooding often included creative ideas for fixing the Dominick problem permanently.

Looking for distraction, he called Eric. After verbally ripping his friend a new one, he outlined the events of Sunday night. Eric proclaimed his life more interesting than The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

“What makes Atlanta so interesting?” Or more interesting than New Jersey.

“It’s not, hon. That’s kind of the point.”

“You watch crap TV.”

“Mmm-hmm, and I will continue to do so, waiting for the date report.”

Jake huffed. “I’m not going to call you and tell you about the date.”

“Yes you are.”

“I’m still pissed at you, Eric.”

“You’re always pissed at me. That’s why we’re not together.”

“That’s not true.”

Eric sighed into the phone. “I guess not. You never indulged me like you do Cute Stuff, though.”

Jake thought about that for a moment. “Did you want me to?”

“No.”

“Then I’m not sure I get your point.”

“You’re making a fool out of yourself for Max.”

At least Eric hadn’t called Max Cute Stuff while making that particular observation. Jake stared sightlessly at his TV. An immediate denial would only give Eric something to gnaw on.

“I care about him,” he said at last. “He needs a good friend.” Hell, Max needed a lot of things, but a good friend, even in the guise of a lover, would make a great start.

“Be careful, Jacob.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I love you, you idiot, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Jake swallowed the tight lump that had formed in his throat. “Love you, too, Cowboy.”

Friday afternoon delivered a text message from Max: Can’t make class tonight. Headache.

The Date wasn’t until tomorrow, but he’d looked forward to seeing Max at their Friday night karate class. Jake pocketed his phone and threaded his way through the remnants of the kitchen he’d been pulling apart, looking for his uncle. He found Brian Kendricks, his father’s younger brother, wedged through a ragged hole in the bathroom floor.

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