CHAPTER 6

Jude shook

his

head

in

negation. "I don't."

Malachi smiled a fraction

wider, the corner of his mouth lifting in a way that Jude's heart accelerated. Another

step and he stood in the V of Jude's open legs. Jude's chest closed

in and a jolt ran through him at being so close to Malachi, the warmth of his body seeping into Jude's.

"Or if you like me."

Fuck.

"Alright, I don't mind you." Jude's voice was

strange. He swallowed

convulsively, attempting to regain control

of himself.

"Good," Malachi said,

bobbing

his

head. "I don't mind you either." Malachi was inches

from

Jude, inches

more

than this should

qualify

as

a hundred percent straight-guy move. Malachi was

absolutely

fabulous at this distance, his angles

steep and riveting.

Malachi took another drag and narrowed his eyes. It made him look terribly attractive. “You’re doing it again.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry,” Jude said.

Malachi’s laughter bubbled, the sound vibrating between them. “It’s fine, Jude.” His eyes drifted upwards, biting the side of his thumb, thinking. “Jude, Jude,” he repeated.

“What?” Jude asked, baffled.

“What do your friends call you? Jud, right? That’s what Yon calls you,” Malachi said.

"Yeah, that or by my last name, I guess," Jude told him, trying to focus on anything other than how close Malachi was.

"What's your last name?"

"You've heard the team call me by my last name," Jude reminded

him.

"No, I haven't. I've heard the guys on the team call you Jud and Queens, but that's like a volleyball thing," Malachi waved

his hand off.

"No, that's it," Jude told him.

Malachi gazed at him. "Your surname

is Queens. Your shit name is Jude Queens?" he questioned and cackled

insanely.

The corners of Jude's mouth

turn

upward. "Yes, that

is my name," he told him, and Malachi kept on laughing. Jude couldn't help it. He joined him.

"You're unreal," Malachi said,

relaxing

back. "I'm not going to call you Queens, that's for fucking sure." He scrutinized

Jude's face, wetted his lips, and cocked his head. "Judey," he breathed

softly.

Shit. That hit a note somewhere, and Jude's whole body warmed

up at the intimacy of it.

"That suits you," Malachi said,

his

smile

spreading

gradually.

"How?"

“I don’t know, Judey. It’s pretty adorable. You’re adorable,” Malachi said, shrugging.

“Adorable?” Jude asked with a laugh.

“You are,” Malachi told him, his tone sincere.

“I don’t think anybody’s ever called me that before.”

Malachi stood there, just looking at Jude with a slight smile, his eyes soft. “I can tell you’re sweet.”

Jude realized his eyes were wide open. No

one had ever called that about him, much

less having only

ever spoken to him a handful of times.

Malachi ran his tongue over his lips and moved

closer. "What about Judey? Nobody's ever called that to you?"

Jude looked away. “My mom calls me that,” he said quietly, but Malachi heard it, because he erupted in laughter again. “Fuck’s sake,” Jude said, closing his eyes and rubbing one of his hands over his face.

Malachi let Jude go and laughed. “See? I’m right, you’re adorable.”

Malachi put

his hand into his pocket

and

extracted a lighter. He held the joint to his lips again and lit it. He seemed so relaxed. He inhaled

once

more and exhaled away from Jude. He was

holding the joint between his thumb and forefinger.

"May I have a try?"

Jude asked him.

Malachi’s smile was catlike. Jude felt like he was falling into a trap, but he didn’t care. Malachi held it out to him, and Jude reached for it, his fingers brushing Malachi’s as he did. Jude looked at it and then at Malachi, expectant.

“I can already tell I’m going to be a terrible influence on you.”

Jude smiled.