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“No, it’s not your job to wait for Willis.”

“It’s not your job either, man. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” Joey sits down next to me anyway. “Since everyone is at the party and he’s out cold, it’s a good idea to stay with him in case something happens, but that’s not the captain’s job.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Joey yawns and lays his head on my shoulder. “Talk to me so I don’t fall asleep.”

“How about you tell me why Paul was shoving his hand up Jeremy’s pants?”

Joey starts laughing so hard he snorts. “He’s such a dumbass.” He sits up but there’s a smile on his face. “Jeremy got one of those squishy boobs and shoved it in his costume. Well, it kept falling to his crotch and he couldn’t get it out because alcohol makes him dumber than usual, so Paul reached up to get it.”

Joey laughs again. “Honestly, it looked like his nut was swollen to the size of, like, a baseball. It was terrifying for a second. But no, he’s just an idiot.”

We start talking about nothing in particular, just getting to know each other. Little stories from years of sports and travel, school, and siblings. Nothing heavy or painful. I don’t know how long we sit in that hallway, waiting for people to come back—waiting for Willis. Joey texted him at one point but he didn’t respond, not that it’s surprising.

Eventually, Joey falls asleep on the floor with his head on my leg like a pillow and my hand in his hair. It’s so damn perfect, I take a picture of it and set it as my phone's wallpaper.

27

Joey

The day after the heroes party was rough for almost everyone. Honestly, I was surprised to see Riggs outside of his room, but he made it to practice. Maybe there’s hope for him, after all.

Since we’re almost to our last two games of the season, we’re all exhausted. Everyone but Preston anyway. He did nothing but yell at everyone today and I’m so tired of hearing his mouth. If it wasn’t for Nick, I would probably be ready to beat him with my hockey stick.

The locker room is chaotic as always as we get changed. While we’re exhausted from the season, we’re excited for the game tomorrow too.

“Hey!” Brendon yells. “I’m bi or whatever. I like holes and poles. Anyone got a problem with that?”

Everyone stops talking and turns to look at him and Paul who’s standing next to him, a little wide-eyed.

From the back of the room, Riggs yells, “Are we supposed to be surprised?”

Everyone laughs, me included. Riggs has a point. Brendon flirts with everyone. Even Jeremy and Preston, which is a death sentence if you ask me.

Paul says something to Brendon and backhands his stomach before getting changed. Conversations continue and once I’m clean, I hustle back to my room to wait for Nick and look for a hoodie. Now I’m cold and we need to go get dinner. I don’t know what we’re doing exactly since we don’t have labels, but knowing I’m going to see him makes me stupid happy.

A knock on my door has me smiling like an idiot.

“Come in,” I holler since I know it’s Nick.

The cocky man strides in and leans against the door, watching me pull a hoodie on.

When I walk up to him, he doesn’t straighten up, so I press myself against him. His dick thickens against my thigh and I bite his lip.

“You’re a horndog.”

“You’re the one rubbing your cock against me. What do you expect?” He grabs my ass and thrusts against me.

I nip his lip again before sucking on it then finally kissing him. Nick groans low in his throat. That sound does tingly things to me. It’s hot as fuck knowing I made him make that sound.

“Iwanttotellpeopleaboutyou.” I rush the words but Nick smiles at me.

“I mean, I am pretty awesome. I can see why.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “You should just rip the Band-Aid off. Get it over with so you can stop stressing over it.”

He’s probably right. Just drop it in passing, don’t make a big deal out of it. Like, half the team is dating each other, so really, what’s one more player who isn’t straight?

“And if anyone is a dick, punch them.” Nick shrugs.

I grab his hand and lead him to dinner. The entire way, I hold his hand. It’s terrifying but amazing. I find myself relaxing after a few minutes when nothing happens. Did I really think something was going to? Not really but fear is rarely rational.

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