Page 25 of Good Pucking Luck

The urge to google him nearly takes me over, but I refrain. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to have one of your most painful moments publicized that way, but then in some ways, I can. It’s not the same situation, but the media and internet randos can be brutal to us too. All those people who aren’t actually doing what we do sure like to judge us for how we do it, thinking they know better. The difference is, I’ve had time to get used to it. As shitty as it can sometimes be, I knew what I was getting into. Hayes just wanted to propose to the man he loved.

Loves?

Does Hayes still love that guy?

Fire flames in my belly for what he did to Hayes. What he did to all those guys. No one deserves that. Plus, Hayes is clearly pretty inexperienced. He doesn’t realize how fun and sexy he is. It must have been an even bigger hit to his self-esteem because of that.

He comes out of the bathroom, wearing his underwear. “I should go.” He grabs his pants and pulls them on.

“You can stay for dinner if you want.”

His attention snaps to me like he’s as surprised by my statement as I am. This was a hookup. Dinner not required.

“Why would I do that?” Hayes sputters.

Well, obviously he wouldn’t. It’s not often I feel stupid because most of the time I just don’t care what anyone thinks, but in this moment, I kinda do. “Because you’re hungry? I was just trying to be nice. I know you haven’t done this before.”

His cheeks turn pink, anger flashing in his eyes. “You don’t think I can handle just having sex with you?”

“Actually, I wasn’t thinking that at all.” But I can see why what I said might have sounded that way.

“I can do this, Rylan.”

“Obviously, I know that, since we’ve done it twice now. It was just dinner.” Who knew an offer for food would become such a thing?

“Whatever, just…don’t treat me differently than you would any other person you weren’t in a relationship with that you had sex with.”

“I can tell you I’ve shared dinner with some of them. It’s this normal thing humans do. You should try it sometime.”

“I eat dinner.”

I cock a brow. “With other humans?”

He rolls his eyes. “Is that what you are?”

I grin, and he shakes his head, but there’s a small smile on his lips. “Give me your phone number.”

His brows pinch together as if he’s confused. “Why?”

“So I can get ahold of you? It’s called communication. It’s what we’re doing right now.”

He huffs, tugging on his shirt. “You’re being a jerk.”

“I’m giving you shit.”

“I guess it would be beneficial in case we ever decide to…do this again. Not that we will. You’ll realize it has no effect on your game, and I’ll…well, I don’t know what I’ll do, but it will be something.”

I can’t help smiling. “I’m sure you will.”

His gaze runs the length of me before snagging on my groin. “You’re already getting hard again?”

“I can’t help it. Something about you gets my dick excited. It’s a strange mix of annoying and fun.”

“I’m not annoying.” He pauses, then says, “That shouldn’t turn you on!”

A laugh jumps out of my mouth. “It’s cute annoying.”

“Are you going to memorize my number or what?” He sulks. “Here, I’ll just take yours.”

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