Page 2 of Playboy

I don’t hear the rest of his sentence, but from the cheers going up around me, it’s easy to guess what he’s just announced. We’ve secured Noah Harrison in a trade.

And whoever Gavin traded for him isn’t in this locker room. Our coach-slash-owner is far too respectful to make an announcement like this before notifying the player affected by the negotiation. He would have thanked them for their dedication to the team and wished them luck ahead of time.

I take in the faces around the room, and once I’ve accounted for all the guys I’m close with, I breathe a sigh of relief.

“This is fucking awesome.” Aiden rubs his hands together, nudging War in the ribs with his elbow. “Don’t you and Harry have matching tattoos?”

War glances at me, his eyes full of concern. He knows I’m secretly freaking the fuck out. “They’re not matching tattoos. It’s our college team’s logo.”

Oh, did I forget to mention that Brooks, War, and Harrison played together in college? That they’ve been friends for years? Yeah, this just keeps getting worse.

War tips his chin at Brooks. “This guy was too chickenshit to get one.”

Without shame, Brooks says, “Always knew I was going to be a Bolt. No need to put some other logo on my body.”

“Spoken like a Langfield.” In the next breath, War’s eyes light up. “But you don’t have a Bolts tattoo.”

Brooks rolls his eyes. “What is it with you trying to get everyone tatted?”

“Your fiancée would think it’s hot.” War raises a brow.

“Does Harry have a dick piercing?” The second the question is out, I want to punch myself in the face. What the fuck is wrong with me?

The guys’ faces scrunch up in variouswhat the fuck?expressions.

I double down. “Well, does he?”

“No, that’s a Bolts thing,” Brooks says, eyeing War. “That’sourBolts thing.” His voice is stronger now, like he just found his way out of getting inked. “No need for a fucking tattoo when I have Bolts blue bars through my dick.”

I wince. Fuck, that sounds painful. But it’s a Bolts thing. Their thing.Our thing.

“After practice,” I say, forcing the words to sound resolute.

“After practice, what?” War watches me, his lips twitching like he knows where I’m going with this. So what if I’m insecure about Harrison’s impending trade? So what if I’m acting like a fucking toddler having a temper tantrum and trying to hold on tight to my friends? They’remyfriends. Anyone would be a little territorial.

I meet War’s eyes, determination setting in. “After practice, we’re going to the tattoo shop.”

“You really think you’ll go through with it today?” War sounds all sorts of skeptical.

“Yeah, Calliope says that real heroes pierce their dicks for their women’s pleasure.”

“Fuck yeah, they do,” Aiden says, wearing a too-big smile. “Can’t wait to use that line on Lex later.” He holds up his fist for Brooks to bump, but his brother just glares at the outstretched arm. He shrugs and holds it out to me instead.

“Fuck yeah, they do.” I bump him back. “And real friends have matching dicks.”

My stomach bottoms out.What the fuck, Playboy?

I have two choices here: punch myself in the face or own the comment and hold a fist out to War to complete the assholery.

I go with the latter, leaning into this moment, a moment that, with any luck, will bind these guys to me for life.

War chokes on air. “You need help, Playboy. So much fucking help.” He shakes his head, but with a laugh, he bumps my fist.

TWO

DANIEL

“Areyou going to hold my hand when he does it?”

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