Chapter 30 - Handling Business

Trey moved in silence. He ain't need to announce what he was doing or who he was looking out for-it was just what he did.

His phone buzzed while he was lacing up his work boots. Aaliyah, his little sister, sent a screenshot of her school fees, followed by: "I got most of it, but I'm short $120."

Trey didn't hesitate. He pulled up Cash App, sent her $200, and shot her a text.

Trey: That should cover it. Let me know if you need more.

Aaliyah: Damn, you sent extra. Thank you, Trey, for real.

Trey: Just handle your business.

Aaliyah: Love you.

Trey: Mmhmm.

He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face before grabbing his keys. Work was waiting, and the faster he got in, the faster he could get out.

Twelve hours later, Trey was off the clock, stepping out into the cold, feeling that exhaustion settle in his bones. He cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as he checked his phone.

Zay [6:42 PM]: You off yet or you still on ya hardworking nigga shit?

Trey smirked slightly, replying as he made his way to his car.

Trey: Off. What's up?

Zay: Damn, can't check on my man??

Trey: You don't check, you just be talkin'.

Zay: And you be listening, so what that mean?

Trey ignored that, already pulling up DoorDash. He ordered wings and fries for Zay-he knew that boy wasn't gonna eat unless somebody made him.

Trey: Check your DoorDash in 30.

Zay: Damn, spoil me then.

Trey: Shut up and eat.

Trey stopped at the store before heading home, FaceTiming Zay while he grabbed a few things.

Zay picked up instantly, his face filling the screen, lips pressed like he was already tryna start something. "Nigga, you act like I can't buy my own food."

Trey glanced at him, unmoved. "Did you?"

Zay sucked his teeth. "That's not the point."

Trey grabbed a pack of water bottles and tossed them in his cart. "So what is?"

Zay squinted at him through the screen. "I don't like how you be tryna play me."

Trey hummed, grabbing a few more things. "Ain't nobody playin' you."

Zay rolled his eyes. "Whatever. You comin' over?"

Trey paid for his stuff and pushed the cart outside, the cold air hitting his face. "Maybe."

Zay scoffed. "See, you play too much."

Trey shook his head, smirking a little. "I'll slide."

Zay grinned, leaning into the camera. "Yeah, bring that tired ass over here. I got somethin' for you."

Trey gave him a dry look. "Yeah?"

Zay licked his lips. "Mmhmm."

Trey ain't say nothing, just let the moment hang before he ended the call.

When Trey pulled up to Zay's spot, he already knew what time it was.

Zay was on the couch, laid out like he'd been waiting for him. He was in a loose tee and some sweats, hair tied back, rings still on his fingers like he'd been fidgeting with them. His eyes flicked up when Trey walked in, a slow smirk pulling at his lips.

Trey locked the door behind him, kicking off his shoes. "What you up to?"

Zay stretched, showing just a hint of skin before dropping his arms. "Nothin'. Waitin' on you."

Trey raised a brow. "That right?"

Zay patted the empty space next to him. "Yeah. Get comfortable."

Trey sat down, his body sinking into the cushions. Zay wasted no time leaning into him, his arm draping over Trey's stomach like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Trey exhaled slow, resting a hand on Zay's thigh. "You been good?"

Zay hummed, nuzzling into his shoulder. "Mmhmm. Better now."

Trey smirked a little, fingers flexing against Zay's thigh. Zay caught the motion, his own hand drifting, fingertips ghosting up Trey's chest before settling on his jaw.

Trey tilted his head slightly, eyes meeting Zay's. The room felt smaller. Warmer.

Zay licked his lips, his voice low. "You gon' keep lookin' at me like that or you gon' do somethin'?"

Trey's grip tightened on Zay's thigh, his smirk deepening. He leaned in, brushing their lips together, slow and deliberate. Zay pressed closer, his hand sliding to the back of Trey's neck, pulling him in.

The kiss deepened, Zay shifting to straddle Trey's lap, his body warm and solid against him. Trey let him, his hands gripping Zay's waist, his lips moving slow but firm.

Zay pulled back just slightly, breathless. "Took you long enough."

Trey smirked, hands slipping under Zay's shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin. "You talk too-"

Zay shut him up with another kiss, grinding down just enough to make Trey's breath hitch.

Trey exhaled sharply, his grip tightening. Zay smirked against his lips.

"Yeah," he murmured, voice teasing. "Now you real quiet."

Trey just chuckled, flipping their positions, pressing Zay into the couch. The tension crackled between them, electric and thick, leading into something neither of them were about to stop.

EARLIER

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Zay wasn't nervous. That's what he kept telling himself.

He wasn't the type to overthink shit, but tonight was different. He knew Trey was coming over, and he knew-knew-what was gonna happen. It wasn't just some random link-up, some night where they'd kiss a little too long, touch a little too much, and then act like it ain't mean what it meant. Nah. This was real. And he wanted it to be right.

That's why he was in his bathroom, phone propped up on the sink, scrolling through articles he never thought he'd have to look up.

"How to prepare for your first time with a man."

"Tips for bottoming comfortably."

"How to clean yourself before anal."

Zay groaned, rubbing his hands down his face. "Nigga, what the fuck..."

He felt stupid, standing there reading through shit like he was studying for a test. But he wasn't tryna play himself. He'd never done this before-not with a dude, not with anybody. Yeah, he talked a big game, acted like he knew everything, but truth was? He ain't know shit.

Trey wasn't gonna judge him-he knew that. Trey wasn't even the type to be pressin' for this. But if it was happening, if Zay was really gonna go there, then he needed to know what the hell he was doing.

He exhaled sharply, clicking on a video and skimming through the steps.

Diet. Hydration. Prep. Relaxation.

"Man, this some bullshit," he muttered, but he was already moving, already filling up his water bottle. He hadn't eaten anything too crazy today-just a sandwich and some chips, nothin' heavy. That was good, right?

The next step had him staring at himself in the mirror, debating hard. He knew what cleaning out meant. He just...ain't never thought he'd have to do it.

A deep sigh left him as he grabbed what he needed, muttering under his breath the whole time. "The shit I do for this nigga..."

Twenty minutes later, Zay was stretched out on his bed, phone in his hand, stomach feeling...weird. Not bad, just different. He was really doing this.

His texts with Trey were still open.

Trey: Be there in 20.

Zay: Bet.

Zay stared at the message, lips pressed. He wanted to text something else, maybe something slick, but his mind was too focused. He wasn't nervous. He just...wanted to be good at this. Wanted to make sure everything went right.

His free hand drummed against his stomach, his body restless. His nerves were wired up, but underneath it, there was something else-excitement. He wanted this. He wanted Trey.

Zay exhaled slow, locking his phone and tossing it on the bed. His heart was thudding in his chest, anticipation rolling through him.

One last look in the mirror. One last deep breath.

Tonight was happening. And he was ready.