Page 9 of Off Sides

“Have you gone to the gym already?” I interrupt Oiler since there’s no other way to get a word in sometimes.

He stops with a mouthful of what appears to be donut and looks at me like I’ve grown a second head.

“It’s Sunday,” he says like I should understand the significance of that.

“And?”

He looks at Johnson, then back at me with a raised eyebrow. “Sunday is rest day.” He shoves another piece of fried bread into his mouth. “Plus, Jer Bear is leaving today so we’re keeping Preston busy so he doesn’t kill himself in the gym.”

Okay, now he has my attention.

“You’re hanging out with Carmichael without Albrooke?” I clarify.

“Yup,” Oiler says with a shit-eating grin on his face. “I’m going to try to get him drunk.”

That’s a terrible idea.

“Well, good luck with that,” I tell him and grab my plate. “I’m off to shower and get changed. Make sure you hit the gym the rest of the week.”

“We will,” Johnson says around a mouthful of eggs.

Bryce stays to hang out with them for a bit longer, and I head back to the dorm. I don’t know how long it’s been since I left the gym, but I’m hoping Nick is still busy. I can’t run into him again. It’ll kill me.

I’ll probably try to kiss him or something. Ugh.

Waiting for the elevator, I’m scrolling through my phone when I feel a presence next to me. My skin itches like someone is watching me. Looking up, I see Nick, red-faced and sweaty from his workout. Fuck, he looks good like that.

He smiles, his mouth open slightly as he pants to catch his breath, and stands next to me to wait. The elevator doors open, and we step aside to let some people off, then we climb on. He hits the third floor and I hit the fifth. The doors close and he turns to stare at me.

“I wondered when I would run into you again.”

“What made you so sure you would?” I swallow nervously. No one here knows I’m into men, my sexuality shouldn’t have to be a damn announcement, and I don’t have time for a relationship anyway so it doesn’t matter. I’ve always been careful to vet any hookups before meeting.

Nick smirks, obviously holding back a laugh. “You were wearing a Darby U hoodie.”

I close my eyes and run my hand through my hair. Fuck.

“Listen, I get it,” Nick continues. “I’m not really out to the team either, but if you ever find yourself in need of having an itch scratched, I’m in room 312.”

My dick perks up at the very idea.

“Uh, 528 is my room number.” My face is on fire, and I can’t look at him. I can’t believe I told him my room number. Shit. This is not going to end well. I can’t let him distract me from the team.

“My roommate is gone for the holiday, and I’m free for the rest of the afternoon.” His voice is calm like he’s talking about the weather or his classes. “Do with that information what you will.”

The elevator dings and the doors open onto the third floor. Nick strolls out like he has no cares in the world while I try to remove the band wrapped around my rib cage. Okay. I can do this. Having a semi-regular, casual hookup situation would be beneficial for both of us. We both know how demanding being an athlete is, so there won’t be hurt feelings when one of us can’t meet up.

I step off the elevator and get to my room to shower and change. The longer I think about it, the more I want to take Nick up on his offer. I have no idea when Bryce will be back, and if I text him and tell him to fuck off, he’ll probably just stand outside the door and wait like a fucking creeper.

I let out a heavy sigh as I pull on jeans and a T-shirt.

Fuck it. It’s break, we can just mess around while there’s no practice or games then stop when it’s over.

I slip on some shoes and jog down the stairs to the third floor and knock on 312.

“It’s open!”

When I enter, Nick is shirtless, lying on his bed in sweats that sit low on his hips with one arm stretched behind his head, showing off the long lines of his body. His hair is still wet from his shower and combed back away from his face. I want to mess it up.

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