Chapter 18 - Ain't No More Running

Zay ain't move from where he stand, hands still firm on Trey's waist, thumbs pressing slow circles into his hoodie. His grip light but there, like he waiting to see if Trey gon' pull away.

Trey don't.

He should.

But he don't.

Zay tilts his head, voice low. "You finally done actin' stupid?"

Trey licks his lips, jaw tight. "Man, shut up."

Zay chuckles, fingers squeezing his hips. "That's what I thought."

Silence stretch between 'em. Not awkward. Not tense. Just charged, like a rubber band pulled too damn tight.

Then-

Zay move.

Slow. Smooth. Deliberate.

He step up close, real close, till his chest brush Trey's, till they breathing the same air, till all Trey can focus on is the way Zay's gaze flick between his lips and his eyes like he tryna decide.

"You want me to kiss you or what?" Zay murmurs.

Trey exhales, body heatin' up. "Nigga."

Zay smirks. "Say it."

Trey's hands twitch at his sides. His pride screamin' at him to stop this, to shove Zay back and act like none of this ever happened.

But his body?

His body already leanin' in.

Zay's lips barely ghost over his, a breath away, waiting. "Trey."

That's all it take.

Trey grab him by the back of the neck, pullin' him in, crushin' their mouths together.

And fuck-

Zay kiss like he got somethin' to prove. Like he knew Trey was gon' fold, knew he had him hooked before Trey even admitted it. He take his time with it, tongue slow, hands gripping Trey's waist tight like he dare him to pull away.

Trey don't. He just melt into it, hands sliding down to grip Zay's hoodie, tryna keep him right there, tryna memorize the way this shit feel.

Zay groans against his lips, the sound damn near makin' Trey lose his mind. "Took you long enough," Zay mutters.

Trey don't even argue. Just kiss him harder, like he makin' up for lost time.

Ain't no more runnin' now.