Page 4 of Fair Catch

Even called it a favor, as if that would get me to cave.

Which it did.

“You forget about the part where he drenched me in coffee before we officially met?”

Quinton’s lips twitch, attempting to hide a smile. “I remember that day vividly. But it was an accident. Just keep your coffee away from him whenever you’re in the same room.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re not funny. He hasn’t even made it here, and I’m already miserable.”

“You’re bound to be if you’re going into it with that attitude.”

I might kill him.

“Well, we can’t all be as optimistically evolved as you’ve become between the bliss of coupledom and starting to live out your NHL dreams.”

His dimples pop, grin growing to nearly face-splitting. If I wasn’t so glad to see him finally finding the sense of happiness and belonging he’s been craving for years, I’d probably be irritated. I can’t be anything other than happy for him, though.

“Okay, but we aren’t talking about me and my awesome life. We’re talking about you and your sour puss mentality about getting a new roomie.”

My nose wrinkles up. “Say the words sour puss again, and I’ll personally fly to Jerseyto kick your ass.”

A bark of laughter leaves him, and he shakes his head. “Promises, promises, you little sour puss.”

“I’m hanging up on you,” I mutter dryly, which only makes him laugh harder.

“Don’t be so dramatic. That’s my job.”

“Guess I’m filling the role while you’re gone.”

His grin sobers slightly. “It’s all gonna be fine, man. You’re getting worked up for nothing, and with football season right around the corner, I’m sure you’ll barely see him.”

There’s truth in everything he’s just said, and I’m both smart and self-aware enough to realize I might beslightlyoverreacting. It still doesn’t change the amount of dread I feel at having to share a living space with a stranger until graduation.

“For both our sakes, I really hope you’re right.”

“Who knows, maybe he will turn you into a people person since I sure as hell couldn’t.”

I arch a brow. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Quinn, we gotta get going,” I hear muffled on Quinton’s end before his boyfriend, Oakley, appears on the screen. His eyes meet mine via the screen, and he gives me a slight nod. “Hey, Hayes.”

“I’ll be ready in a sec,” Q says, glancing up at his boyfriend before his attention returns to me. “We’ve gotta get going, though, man. We’re going to dinner tonight, and Oak’s got a stick up his ass about being late.”

“Don’t you dare put this on me.” Oakley glares down at Quinton before a slow smirk takes over his face. “And on the topic of asses, the faster yours gets moving, the sooner we get back here so I can shovemy stick—”

“And I think we’re done here,” I interject quickly, realizing there’s at leastonething I won’t be missing about having Quinton for a roommate: the explicit, vivid details of his and Oakley’s sex life.

“Oh, don’t be a prude, H,” Q chides while shoving Oakley in the stomach until he’s off screen. “It’s not like you haven’t heard us have sex a hundred times by now.”

I wrinkle my nose in both mock and actual disgust. “So not the fucking point, and you know it.”

Oakley’s deep laugh floods through the speaker before he reappears in view and kisses the side of Quinton’s head. “Okay, we really do need to go, though. Especially if you’re teaching me to ride after dinner.”

“Two minutes. Go grab the car and I’ll be right down.”

I catch the faint twitch of Oakley’s mouth before he nods in concession. Then again, ever since they officially got together, he hasn’t been able to deny my best friend much of anything.

Myrelationship with Oakley, on the other hand? It’s been tempestuous at best.

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