Page 47 of Sidelining the Safety

“Anytime,” Lee grinned, leaving off the fact that he knew the owners. That would become apparent the minute they arrived.

Addy patted the treadmill’s rail before he and Cal walked toward the bikes for their warm-up. Lee watched how close they stood, their arms brushing. Neither had come out and specifically said they were together, but one only had to look at them to know. Hashtag relationship goals, right there.

Sliding into his car at one-thirty, Lee ordered food to pick up on his way home, then shot off a text to their group chat.

Leaving now.

Drew:

I’m on my way to my car now. My advisor wanted to talk football!

Mac:

I’ve got to finish up the schedule. Ten minutes tops and I’m outta here.

A tap on Lee’s window startled him. Since he hadn’t started the car yet, Lee popped open his door. “Hey, Yowie. You need something?”

Yowie braced an arm on the open door and stared down at Lee. “We weren’t on the field today, but you still seemed distracted. And quiet… and antsy. You looked like you wanted to bolt during game review, so I’m kinda surprised you’re sitting in your car, not already on the road. What gives?”

A slow smile crept across Lee’s face, and his cheeks burned.

Yowie’s eyes widened. “What’s… Oh! You changed your mind.” He laughed as Lee nodded. “And…?”

“And we’re meeting at my place. They’re running late, so I had a minute to take a breath.”

“This is a good thing. I like seeing you happy, but…” —Yowie lost the grin and glared at Lee— “don’t let it fuck you up on the field, alright?”

“Got it, Coach.”

Yowie lightly slapped Lee’s cheek, chuckling, “And don’t you forget it. Now go have fun storming the castle.”

“Hoo-rah,” Lee hooted, listening to Yowie’s laughter as his line captain walked away. “Hoo. Rah.” And his grin grew twice as big.

Lighter-than-normal traffic eased his way home, leaving Lee relaxed with a low thrum of excitement bubbling beneath his skin. He stacked the takeout he’d pick up on the way home in the refrigerator and then put his gear away before pacing around his apartment, ensuring everything looked good. With his mom’s and aunt’s recent visit, the place had gotten a once-over of vacuuming, dusting, and mopping while they made him clean the bathrooms from top to bottom. He gave the master en suite another swipe just because, then did the same to the kitchen counters and refrigerator door handles.

Then he paced. He grabbed a Frost and sipped it. He gazed out the window. He checked to make sure he had everything for their dinner. Fuck, if they didn’t get here soon, he was going to?—

The doorknob rattled and turned. “Knock, knock.”

Lee hurried across the apartment, meeting Drew as he shut the door. Taking Drew’s face between his hands, he kissed him. Hard. Demanding he open, and thanking God and every single god and goddess of lust and love he could think of when Drew’s lips parted for his tongue.

Drew dropped the bag he’d brought, latching onto Lee with a tight grip. “Holy hell,” he whispered when they parted once before diving back in.

Humming, Lee agreed. Nothing had ever tasted or ever felt this good. The only thing better would be if?—

“I’m here, and it seems like I’ve arrived just in time.” Mac pushed right into their embrace, stealing Lee away and taking what he wanted.

With Mac holding Lee’s chin and dominating their passionate kiss, and Drew’s fingers sneaking under his shirt and tracing the trail of hair from navel to cock, Lee’s dick turned rock hard. This was happening. Now. Lee’s little head was in full control. “Bed?”

“Splendid idea.” Mac herded Lee toward the bedroom while Drew bent down to pick up his bag. “Great,” Mac said, after turning only his head to see what Drew had. “You’ve set us up for success. Well done.”

“Thanks. I try.” Drew breezed by them, getting into the bedroom first and fumbling with whatever was in his hands.

Lee craned his neck to see, gaze zeroing in on the box of condoms and the larger bottle of lube as Drew placed them on the nightstand. Damn, he should have thought of that. He had lube, of course, but since he hadn’t planned on being with anyone, condoms hadn’t been on his shopping list.

“Tsk, tsk, none of that.” Mac snagged the hem of Lee’s shirt and lifted it over his head. “You’ve had a lot on your mind. We’ve got it covered. We just need to know one thing.”

The raised eyebrow and smirk had Lee’s nerves firing as he tentatively reached for Mac’s tee to undress him. “What’s that?”

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