Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
More stadium-sized cheers.
He moved to his parents next.
“Congratulations, baby,” his mom cried, hugging him tight.
His dad embraced him next. “So proud of you, Son. You did it.” God, his voice sounded thick.
“We did it.” Breck pulled back and met his glistening eyes.
His dad swallowed, giving a nod, and clapped his shoulder.
Breck stepped out from his table and was instantly attacked by one and two of their Mighty Three. Just like his parents, Jegs and Charlie had been totally supportive of his relationship with Kai. Hell, as far as Jegs was concerned, Breck was dating a hotter version of Jackie Chan, and thus, he was already trying to be Kai’s new best friend.
“Congrats, G!” Charlie yanked him into his arms. “Now you’re the motherfuckin’ king of DC!”
Breck barked a laugh.
And then Jegs had him in a bear hug, all hefting his six-foot-three-inch ass up off his feet. “That’s my guy! I fuckin’ told you you’d be top three!” He dropped Breck down, then graced him with his own little celebratory dance.
Breck grinned and briefly joined him for a mini jig—which only had his fandom in the stands going even crazier.
God, this is so surreal.
He headed for the stairs at center stage and took them one at a time, then turned toward a pedestal waiting off to the right. A Washington Wizards ball cap sat waiting. He slid it on, turned back to the masses, and flashed another big-ass I-made-it smile.
The stadium roared louder.
He laughed and made his way to the announcer’s podium. The guy shook his hand and then both were turning for another photo op.
More cheers, as down below, his parents wiped their eyes.
Breck’s gaze slid to Kai.
Kai grinned, still clapping, then mouthed, Well done, jeja.
* * *
“Thank you. That was awesome. Exactly what I needed.” Breck smiled at Kai as they sat on their hotel room’s sofa. His back to the arm rest, Breck’s legs rested across Kai’s lap, the scent of sencha wafting up from the mug he held clutched in his hand.
Kai had brewed them both some tea via their room’s coffee maker, after they’d finished Breck’s very first session of meditative qigong. Kai had suggested it after they’d arrived back from the Draft. The whole affair had had Breck’s muscles wound impossibly tight.
Not that things had gone badly. Hell, they couldn’t have gone better. Thanks, in part, to Tad and all of his preliminary PR help. Although, another person was due an honorable mention too, for assisting in bolstering his popularity even more.
The holder of his heart, Kai Nakado. He’d caused quite a stir when he’d stepped out of that limo. Every man, woman, and paparazzi had gone googly-eyed. Although, in fairness, Kai had looked like a model. Where Breck had looked like a billion bucks, he’d looked like a trillion.
Overall, the night had gone remarkably well. After getting picked up, he was swiftly ushered off to countless camera ops. Sports journalists everywhere with tons of questions, some personal, most professional. One reporter even likened Breck to Jason Collins of the Nets, who unbeknownst to Breck, was the first openly gay active player in American sports. Breck wore that comparison like a badge of honor, along with the exuberant smiles of his parents as they looked on with pride.
Nevertheless, the whole affair had been mentally draining, and by the end of the night he’d been so keyed up that he couldn’t relax. Which Kai clearly sensed—he rocked at reading Breck like that—so he’d graciously offered to help him unwind.
“It’ll ground you,” Kai had stated, lighting some complimentary candles, “so you can release all your pent-up energies and realign.”
It was late, but Breck hadn’t had anything better to do. He certainly wouldn’t have been sleeping in his current state. So, he’d agreed, and in less than ten minutes, Kai had eased him into the gentle flow of serenity and bliss, every body movement, every inhale and exhale, part of one soothingly harmonious dance.
As a result, here they sat in the aftermath, relaxed and smiling as they lounged on the couch. The candles flickered their calming light. In the background, music quietly played. And, quite possibly for the first time ever, Breck knew indescribable peace.
Muscles loose, heart thumping happily, he continued smiling. “Maybe next time you can teach me some chai tea.”
“Tai chi,” Kai corrected, laughing. “And sure, I’ll teach you some moves. You might even like it even more than taekwondo.” He tossed Breck a teasing wink.
Breck laughed, too, in spite of himself. Although, in his defense… “Tai chi and chai tea sound ridiculously similar.”
Kai grinned. “If you say so.”
Breck shoved him with a smirk. “And just for the record, I liked taekwondo. You just… I dunno… made my brain all… discombobulated.”
Kai laughed again. “Wow. Impressive diction.”
Breck grinned, proud of his fifteen-letter bombshell, but then his mind slid back to the outcome of their eventful night. “Still can’t believe I got picked up by the Washington Wizards. I don’t have to relocate.” He looked at Kai and smiled. “I get to stay with you.”