Page 26 of Our Secret to Keep

He shakes his head.

“When I ask you to jerk me off, do you say yes because it turns you on… or because you’re my friend and want to help me?”

River sighs. “This started as a way to help you heal. But the lines are getting blurred.”

“Do you think your dad was right about us?”

This question has been running through my mind since Ryan accused us of being gay. If I were going to be gay for anyone, it would be River. I mean, look at him. Perfect in every way. Sweet yet rough. A body that deserves to be praised.

He’s also selfless and puts me first, even to his detriment. I know that makes me a selfish bastard, but I can’t get enough of him.

“You’re my best friend,” he says after an awkward pause. “I would do anything for you.”

“Anything?”

He nods, this time gazing into my eyes. “Anything.”

“And if I stay home?”

Before he can answer, Parker opens the door, his cheeks flushed and huffing. “What the fuck, Brooks! We’re not sitting out here all night for your enjoyment. Let’s go.” Then he looks at River. “Hey, Rousseau. You coming?”

“Nah,” River says and starts walking toward the staircase. “You guys go without me. I have schoolwork to do.”

Just like that, the conversation we have been dodging all summer ends, causing even more separation between us and unanswered questions.

CHAPTER9

NATE

I stumbleinto the house well after midnight. My teammates didn’t want to leave Lucky’s, so I tossed a wad of cash on the table and told them to have fun. All night, my skin itched for more. But no matter how many lap dances I got, nothing helped with the ache between my legs.

My dick wants River.

I climb the stairs and head straight for his room, cracking open the door. It’s dark inside, and his back is turned to me, his bare ass on display. And what a nice ass. Thick in all the right places, more than a handful for me to grab.

This is so fucked up.

I should leave him alone, walk away. He told me not to come to his room tonight. But with River, I don’t make smart decisions. So, I enter his room and lock the door behind me.

I strip off my shirt and toss it onto the floor with my pants. River hates it when I get into his bed naked, so I keep on my boxer briefs. There were a few times we woke up in the morning dick to dick, and it was weird as hell.

Hence, the rule.

I lean over and see his cell phone in his hand, his dick in the other. He’s wearing earbuds and doesn’t hear me. River breathes heavily as he watches a man on the screen spread his thighs and stroke his shaft.

Holy shit!

I was right about River.

He likes dudes.

All of the signs were right there. I’m usually too wrapped up in my shit to notice subtle things. But when it comes to River, I see everything.

I lean over and peek at his screen. The man is maybe five or ten years older than us. He has tanned skin, eye black smeared under his eyes, and wearing shoulder pads. Black spandex shorts are shoved to his ankles around a pair of cleats.

Does this do it for River?

I would have thought he’d have a thing for hockey players, specifically me.

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