Page 63 of Pucking Amazing

The words warm me more than any post-game shower could. We stand there for a moment longer, holding each other in the afterglow.

What a damn perfect day.

CHAPTER 21

DJ

I sink onto my couch, letting out a heavy sigh. The high from last night’s win has faded, replaced by a gnawing sense of unease in my gut that won’t let up.

Tyler. Sydney. God, what am I doing?

I run my hands through my hair, unsettled by my intense turmoil.

My phone sits accusingly on the coffee table, the black screen reflecting my troubled expression. I should call them. Explain. But the words stick in my throat.

I’m DJ fuckin’ Johnston, sex god. I should be the biggest poly advocate of them all. I’m the one who always preaches about honest communication.

And here I am, too chickenshit to pick up the phone.

I groan, flinging my head back against the cushions. When did it get this deep? It was supposed to be casual—some hot sex, a few laughs.

Not this ache in my chest whenever I think about hurting either of them.

I’ve royally fucked this one up. Ty and Syd are friends. If they compare notes, realize I’ve been less than upfront...I could lose them both. The thought makes my stomach drop.

“Fuck.” The curse echoes in my empty apartment. I need to fix this. Time to practice what I preach.

I snatch up my phone, my thumb hovering over their contacts. Who first? My chest tightens. I care about them both so damn much.

In the end it’s Slade’s name I tap.

My leg jiggles restlessly as I listen to it ring. Once. Twice. It’s enough to make me lose my nerve and I almost hang up, but then?—

“DJ? What’s up, man?”

I swallow hard. “Hey, Slade. You got a minute? There’s something I want to talk to you about...”

I slump into the sticky booth, the smell of spilled beer and stale pretzels filling my nostrils. Slade peers at me from across the table, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Alright man, out with it. What’s got you looking like someone pissed in your protein shake?”

I let out a long sigh. Where to even begin? “Ah, man, I got in way over my head…”

As I explain the situation with Syd and Ty, I’m relieved to see that Slade doesn’t seem too scandalized about the whole teammate/counselor element—or at least he’s got a good poker face. But I can’t read his expression as I conclude my dilemma.

“So anyway, I’m crazy into both of them but I haven’t exactly been honest about the fact that I’m hooking up with both of them.”

“Mmm.” Slade takes a long swig of his IPA.

I grip my beer, the condensation slick against my palms. “Dude? Some advice?”

“Fuck, DJ.” Slade shakes his head. “You know that keeping secrets never ends well. Trust me, I’ve been there before Emma and the guys.”

“I know, I know.” I huff irritably. “I just got so caught up in the excitement, and then I didn’t want to scare them off, you know?”

“I get it, bro. But you gotta rip the bandaid off sooner rather than later.”

I nod miserably. “So what do I do now? I’m terrified I’ve fucked up something amazing with both of them.”

---