Page 64 of Pucking Amazing

Slade rolls his eyes affectionately. “First off, breathe. It’s not like you’ve had any define-the-relationship talks with either of them so far, right?”

I shake my head, a hopeful spark in my chest.

“Good. So there’s still time to come clean. Just be honest—-tell them you’re crazy about both of them but you don’t do monogamy. See how they respond.”

“But what if it’s too much? What if I lose them both?” I can hear wavering desperation creeping into my voice.

Slade reaches over to grip my forearm bracingly. “You gotta have more faith in what you’ve built with them, man. If they really care for you, they’ll at least hear you out. You’re a catch. They’d be idiots to shut this down without a conversation.”

I let out a long breath. Slade’s right. I need to man up and lay it all out there, terrifying as it is.

“When did you get so wise about this shit?” I quirk an eyebrow at him.

Slade chuckles. “Lots of trial and error. This thing with Emma, Alex, Ryan and Lukas didn’t fall into my lap. It took vulnerability, tough-ass conversations...and,” he glowers meaningfully at me, “a fuckton of honest communication.”

“Ugh, I get it, I get it,” I groan dramatically.

Slade holds up his hands with a conciliatory look and then reaches for his beer. “To having the balls to put your heart on the line.”

I clink my pint against his. “And to praying to god I don’t get kicked in them.”

Slade punches my shoulder and I let out a relieved laugh as we settle back and focus on draining our beers.

The night flies by, the air thick with the mixed aromas of greasy food and optimism—or maybe that’s just my newly buoyed spirits. Slade’s advice rings in my ears like a halftime pep talk and suddenly everything seems so simple.

I just need to be honest. Totally, utterly honest.

And what better way to do that than invite Sydney and Tyler over for a face-to-face showdown? Okay, not a showdown, but a reveal—all cards on the table.

I leave the bar feeling less like I’m walking to my car and more like I’m lacing up my skates for the most important game of the season. By the time I’m home, it’s nearing midnight, but sleep is the last thing on my mind.

I pace back and forth across my living room, rehearsing lines that sound more like cheesy movie scripts than genuine conversation starters.

“Hey guys, so...I love fucking you both and—nope.” I cringe at myself in the mirror hanging near my front door.

Too direct? Definitely. Fuck, how am I going to do this? Before I can spiral further into doubt, my phone buzzes in my hand—a text from Slade.

“Remember, just be YOU. That’s who they fell for.”

Fueled by Slade’s midnight encouragement, I finally muster up the courage to send the texts. My thumbs hover over the screen, heart thumping against my ribs.

“Hey Syd, how about dinner at my place tomorrow? There’s something important I’d like to talk about with you.”

I send the same to Tyler.

There. Sent. The messages are out there, and now all I can do is wait for their replies.

My phone vibrates almost immediately. Sydney. Her response is simple yet nerve-wracking. “Sounds good, DJ. See you then.”

And after an agonizing eternity, Tyler: “Sure thing, man.”

Casual as ever, but my stomach twists knowing what’s on the line.

There are so many ways this could go totally wrong.

CHAPTER 22

SYDNEY

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