Shane + Jed
Bonus Scene from Stealing Forever by Lizzie C Koz
(best read after finishing the novel)
The Story of Shane and Jed at the Halloween Party
JED
“Shane! Are you ready to go? We’re already a half hour late.”
I wait a beat, attention glued to the hall. We’re at my apartment in Providence. I decided to keep it in addition to my long-time penthouse in New York City. I’d also snagged a short-term lease in Fairfield for the rest of the Jetties season.
“Almost!” Shane’s call travels through the small apartment.
I’ve been working with a realtor to look for something more permanent though. House permanent. It’s hard in this business. You’re constantly bounced around, off-season, in season, call-ups, trades—knock on wood one of those isn’t in the cards. But I’m hopeful…that the Jetties will be my home for a long time. I’m fortunate that I’ve never hurt for money and can settle anywhere. And can easily keep multiple places.
Like the apartment I just started leasing in Tampa so we can visit Shane’s mom regularly. So far, we’ve spent most of the off-season bouncing around between the City and Providence. Frankie had offered us Shane’s room for when we visited, but we wanted a little more privacy.
I adjust the black wrap around my middle that’s holding the orange-and-white-striped pillow to my back and the green strips of felt stalks to my sides. I have no idea if anyone is going to understand our costume. I can’t believe I waxed my chest for this. But Shane batted those baby blues at me and “no” fled my vocabulary.
“But babe, you can’t be white rice with black hair popping through. It’ll look like it has bugs in it.” Faultless logic from my Sunshine.
“Okay, I’m ready!” Shane comes bursting out of my bedroom.
I…have no words.
Shane is in nothing except a piece of cardboard around his waist that he’s crafted to look like a yacht, and a captain’s hat resting over his blond curls. He shouldn’t look sexy like that, but fuck. So. Much. Sexy. Slicked-up. Skin.
I walk up to him and peek inside the yacht. “Darn.”
He shoots me a cheeky smile. “You were hoping I wasn’t wearing underwear, weren’t you?
“A man can dream.”
He lifts on tip-toe and gives me a quick kiss, then steps back. He spins slowly, giving the stern a little ass-shake. “What do you think?”
“So, I obviously get the huge yacht part.” I rub my chin as I study him. “But where’s the cute part?”
He gasps, hand flying to his heart. “Where’s the cute part?” He lifts his chin and storms toward the door.
I bite back my laugh. “Sunshine, wait.”
He spins and glares at me. “I am the cute part, you asshole. And I am definitely not putting out tonight now.”
I can’t hold back my chuckle this time. I pull him toward me and end up pummeled by the bow of his yacht. I wince. Okay, this costume does not allow for closeness. I tilt his chin toward me. “I was teasing, baby.”
“It wasn’t a funny joke,” he grumbles.
I pull his mouth to mine, then run my nose down his jaw and drink in his citrus cent. “It was a little bit funny. And you’re even cuter when you’re offended.” I draw back. “On a more serious note. How the fuck are you going to fit in my car wearing that?”
“I have no idea, but we are smart people. I’m sure we can figure it out.”
We figured it out. We were able to slide it up and rotate it so he could sit in the back slightly perched forward. So after an uncomfortable ride for Shane, we’re at Frankie’s.
Shane pushes open the door and the party bursts out onto the front steps in a wave of music and excited conversation. We step inside and the base is pumping so loud I feel it all the way to my bones.
“Shane! Jed!” Shelby pushes her way through the partygoers and comes hurrying over to us. She’s in a skimpy red leotard thing, sporting a blonde wig and white sunglasses. She slides to a stop, and cocks her head, her high ponytail whipping around. “Hmm.” She taps her lip.
She pokes the green felt strips at my side. “You are clearly sushi.” Her gaze falls on my huge gold dollar sign necklace. Her brow knits. She looks at Shane. “You’re a yacht.”
“You can totally get this, Shelbs.” He bats his eyes at her.
Her eyes widen and she jumps. “Ohmygod!” She jabs a finger at me. “You’re expensive sushi!” She turns on Shane. “You’re a cute huge yacht!”
Shane punches the air. “Yes!”
Shelby’s grin barely fits on her face. “I’m obsessed with this.”
“Shelby, I think I’m in love with you,” Shane says.
She blows him a kiss.
“You’re obviously Wendy Peffercorn,” Shane says.
“You know it. My Squints is around here somewhere.” She tugs on my hand and leads us into the crammed apartment.
I spot Maddox and Easton… Who look like they’re each pieces of bread?
“Oh my God, no way.” Shane bounds over to them. He shoves Maddy and East together. He looks back at me and bounces on his toes. “Look, JJ! They’re a Meast sandwich!”
I snort and break out in a grin. Okay, that’s pretty good.
When I reach them, Shane leans over. “I’ll grab us drinks,” he murmures in my ear, then he disappears into the crowd, parting the sea of people with the bow of his yacht.
My gaze homes in on his thighs and calves flexing with every step. Fuck, he’s got nice legs. It’s no wonder he’s so damned fast.
“Yum.” Frankie slides into the spot Shane was just standing. “Shaney-babe is looking fine tonight.”
I growl but there’s no heat behind it. He grins at me. We still play the game even though Frankie’s a taken man now.
His gaze flicks to me before it goes back to Shane. “A Little Bit Alexis. I love it. Does that mean Shaney’s a little bit single…even when he’s not?”
“Frank,” I warn.
He chuckles softly, his attention stopping at my chest. “White body paint. I bet Shane had fun putting that on you.”
It might be why we were late.
“Is your dick white, too, now?”
I choke, and he throws his head back laughing. But he’s got me again because, yeah, my dick was white, but I washed that paint off.
That’s when I take in Frankie’s costume…which shows even more of him than my boyfriend’s costume. “What the fuck are you?”
He sweeps a hand over his groin where a black and white blurred checkered pattern hangs. It’s loosely attached by a very thin string to another one that rests over his ass. “Me and my boo are Not-Safe-For-Work character art.”
“That’s fucking brilliant, Frankie!” A cold beer hits my hand, and Shane throws me a lopsided smile. “The boys got you Sip of Sunshine.”
“Looking real cute, Mr. Huge Yacht. Got any other huge things in there?” Frankie leans over and I intercept him with a hand to the chest. The man has the nerve to cackle. “Fine. I’ll go find my own boyfriend to play with. I wonder what character art position we should model next.”
I take a sip of my beer and the hoppy citrus flavor dances over my tongue. So fucking good. I lean over and kiss Shane’s cheek. “Thanks, Sunshine.”
He turns so our lips meet and even slips in a quick tease of tongue. A soft happy sound escapes him as he pulls away. “That’s a good beer.”
There’s nothing better than a sip of Sunshine.
He leans his head on my shoulder, staring out into the party. “I’m glad we got to do this—dress up together, matching costumes. Thanks for putting up with my ridiculous idea.”
I lace our fingers together and bring the back of his hand to my lips. “Of course. You were so damn excited, I wasn’t going to do anything to dampen that.”
There’s nothing more adorable than a Shane with an idea. When he’s excited, it radiates through him, like his body can barely contain it. It’s my favorite thing to experience. He finds joy in so many little things. Things I’d forgotten to pay attention to—or maybe didn’t have the heart to pay attention to any longer after Dad passed.
He glances at me beneath his lashes. “I know you said you used to dress up with your dad. I wanted to try and bring a little of that back to you.”
My mouth parts and I blink at him. My chest grows tight and I squeeze his hand hard. I can’t believe he remembered that. I said it so long ago in that hotel room where we first let our walls down and it was just a passing remark. But he remembered. Because this man is unbelievably special. He cares so much about the people he loves. He’s tender-hearted and giving and selfless. And I get to be his partner.
For a while I held a lot of anger toward the world, the universe, for taking Dad away from me. But I am so fucking grateful it gave me Shane.
“I love you,” I whisper.
He smiles at me and lifts our joined hands to his mouth for a kiss. “I love you too, JJ.”