* * * *
Caleb’s doorbell rang just as he finished loading the dishwasher. He wiped his hands on the kitchen towel and scanned the apartment. Everything looked good. Not perfect, but certainly not the slovenly mess it had been earlier in the morning.
He pulled open the door and his heart thudded. Lucas was just as gorgeous as he remembered. Part of Caleb had thought he’d imagined the silky brown eyes from yesterday, but here they were, peering up at him now. He shivered at the tingles running down his spine.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
Caleb pulled himself together and nodded, unsure if speaking was a possibility yet. He cleared his throat and invited Lucas inside.
Lucas glanced around and smiled. “It’s nice. I was kind of picturing beer cans and empty pizza boxes,” he admitted sheepishly.
Caleb laughed. “Actually, you’re not far off. Sometimes it gets like that, but I try to keep it cleaned up.”
Lucas grinned. “Hey, nothing wrong with pizza and beer.”
“Part of the four food groups,” Caleb added, smiling. “Here,” he said, placing his right hand on Lucas’ lower back and guiding him to the kitchen. “I figure we can set up at the table, if that works for you.”
Lucas stayed silent and rigid by his side. Caleb turned, and it surprised him to see the man’s red face. Only then did he realize his hand remained on Lucas’ back. He yanked it off as if he’d burned himself and looked away, embarrassed. Why had he done that? It had seemed so natural to touch Lucas, he’d done it without a second thought.
“Um, so, yeah. You want to get started? Want some coffee? Soda?” His voice sounded rough to his ears.
“Coffee would be great. I haven’t had any today.”
“Sounds good. It will just be a minute. Make yourself at home.”
He started the coffee and kept a discreet eye on Lucas. The man was taller than Caleb remembered, probably only three or four inches shorter than his own six feet. His faded Levi’s fit him well, not too tight, but not too loose, either. When Lucas leaned over his laptop, Caleb stifled a groan at viewing the round, muscular ass encased in faded denim.
And that blond hair with those brown eyes and creamy skin? Fuck. There was no way to get around it. This guy was hot. Damn. Caleb’s dick was already chubbing up. How the hell was he going to do this?
“Sugar? Creamer?”
“A little sugar would be great,” Lucas answered as he took a seat.
Within minutes, Caleb brought their coffee to the table. “I’ve never tutored before,” he said, unsure where to start. “Why don’t you tell me what you do know about baseball?”
Lucas blushed and chewed his lower lip. Being this close to the man was torture. All Caleb wanted to do was capture those sweet lips with his own.
Lucas finally looked at him, his brows knitted. “About the only thing I know is that the Royals won the World Series in 2015. And that’s only because a friend of mine is from Kansas City and that’s all he could talk about all winter.”
Caleb chuckled and leaned toward him, his hand about to grasp Lucas’ shoulder. But Lucas flinched and his body recoiled.
Realization dawned on Caleb. He pulled away and settled into his chair. “Are you afraid of me, Lucas?”
“No. Well, not really.” Lucas sighed and carded his fingers through his hair before looking Caleb in the eyes. “I was bullied in high school. By jocks. All four years.” He paused and gazed to the side. “All four years.”
Caleb let out a breath. “Man, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
Lucas held up a hand. “No apologies necessary. I’m twenty-five, for God’s sake! High school was a long time ago. And I was fine in college. Enjoyed college a lot, actually.” He sighed deeply and gave Caleb a small smile. “I guess with the move to a new city, the change in my job—albeit temporary—and the fact that I’m working with baseball players, is just bringing it all back. I don’t know.”
“Well, I can certainly see why it would. Being bullied can be traumatizing.”
“You’ve been bullied?” Lucas asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
“No, not me. My sister, Rebecca. She was picked on about everything. Her braces. Her glasses. Her high IQ. It took her a long time to deal with that.” He cocked his head. “Is that how it was for you? They picked on you for being so smart?”
Lucas gaped and he stared at Caleb like he was from Mars.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“You think I was picked on for being smart?”
“That wasn’t it? I just know teens can be horrible to each other and you seem so smart…I just assumed….”
Lucas’ eyes crinkled and he smiled. “Um, no. I mean, yes, I am smart. Not brilliant, but…anyway, no, that wasn’t it. I was picked on for being gay.”
Caleb’s heart did a little dance. He’d been sure Lucas was gay, but his admission just cemented it. His mouth curved into a smile and he leaned toward Lucas.