Helping Hand (Housemates, #1)

by Jay Northcote

He brushed past Mac as he went but didn’t catch his eye. He didn’t realise Mac had followed him until the door to the toilets slammed shut behind them. Mac had Jez pinned up against the wall before Jez knew what was happening. Mac’s face was set, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he glared down at him.

It was Mac, his mate, his straight mate, and this was all kinds of fucked-up and probably really unwise, but Mac was kissing Jez like he owned him, and apparently Jez was a total sucker for that.

Two guys together, stone-cold sober, kissing and touching each other with no excuse apart from desire. However Mac justified this to himself, to Jez it felt pretty fucking gay, and he suddenly realised he was okay with that. More than okay, in fact.

“Yeah,” Mac finally muttered between kisses. “Hell yeah, I wanna fuck you.”

The last thing he was expecting was for Mac to lean over him and press a hesitant kiss to his balls, then another to the base of his cock.

“Labels can be restrictive. Sometimes you need to stop thinking about gender and sexuality and focus on the person. If you care about them, if you feel good when you’re with them, if you’re hot for them… then what does any of the rest of it matter?” “Try telling that to Mac.”

“And I missed you this week,” Mac interrupted. “I missed you so much, and I’m crazy about you, and I wish…. But I’m not gay, so I don’t get it. Why do I feel like this?” Mac sounded so genuinely confused. Jez had a lump the size of a fist in his throat. “What do you wish?” he whispered. His heart surged like a bird fluttering its wings against the cage of his ribs.

“So this is it. We’re boyfriends now?” Mac still sounded uncertain. Jez pressed his palm against Mac’s chest and felt the answering thud of his heart. “Yep. Boyfriends who aren’t gay.” He chuckled. Mac was quiet for a moment. “We’re going to tell people now, yeah? And they’ll all assume we’re gay.” Jez shrugged. “Let them think what they like. Gay, bi, gay for each other, I don’t care. Fuck labels. I’m into you and you’re into me, and that’s what matters.”

He managed to refrain from adding that he was pretty sure no straight guy enjoyed sucking dick as much as he did.

Jez was almost dozing when Mac said quietly, “Jez… I think I’m in love with you.” Jez’s heart surged, but he kept his tone light. “You think? How about you get back to me when you’re sure.” “Fuck off,” Mac huffed. “I’ve never felt like this before, so it’s confusing, okay? But yeah, I’m pretty sure.”