Page 49 of Stick By Me

“Yeah, there are going to be sex in the kitchen jokes coming my way for a while. These guys can be ruthless.” I let my grin widen. “Maybe on a Saturday after a game, we can get a hotel room. Then neither one of us will have to get up early.”

“Yes, that’s a plan. I’ll book a room. A nice one. Maybe at the Scottsdale Princess?” He kissed my forehead. “We could order room service and eat naked with only their nice bathrobes on if we want.”

I stared at him for a beat. “Damn, that’s pricey.” I brushed my hand over his chest, skimming a nipple. “But I like how youthink.” My dick woke and I pressed it on his hip. “My dick likes that idea, too.”

“It does, huh.” He rolled to face me. “Maybe we don’t watch TV. Maybe we go another round?” He placed a long, deep kiss on my mouth and moaned, then palmed my swelling cock through my jeans. “Seems to me, someone owes me a blowjob.”

Practice was grueling this week,or at least it was for me. I had a newfound focus after the meeting with Richard Dupont and dad’s voice was tucked deep inside my head. Now it was Wednesday, and I’d been on it. My puck protection was better than ever and even Coach Patterson commented on how well I did in the blue line shuffle drills.

I sat at our kitchen table eating a Subway sandwich. We’d all decided to head over there after practice and now we were all home, getting ready to spend the night studying and chilling out.

“Are you spending time with Leo tonight?” Jonah dropped into the chair next to mine and unwrapped his sandwich. Italian dressing dripped out of the bread to land on the paper.

“No, he’s cooking tonight with his mom.” My eyes popped open. Shit, I’d been too busy and preoccupied with everything to tell the guys I wasn’t eating with them tomorrow. “Um…” I set my sandwich onto its wrapper and glanced around me at all the guys, grabbing drinks from the refrigerator and rummaging around the kitchen.

“What?” He stuffed the sandwich into his mouth and bit down.

“I uh, I’m going to spend the day with Leo’s family tomorrow.” I braced myself.

“What the fuck, Carlson?” Ace twirled around in the kitchen, his dark curly hair still wet from the showers. “I bought a huge bird this year.”

With a shrug, I said, “Yeah, sorry. I’m sure we’ll eat it all anyways.” I threw a glance at Jonah. He was gearing up to give me some shit.

Jonah licked dressing from a finger. “So, I guess Leo came out to his family?” He gave me the side eye and took another bite of his sandwich.

“Uh, no. They’ll be thinking we’re friends.” I winced.

“Dude, are you serious?” Mason strode toward me, then bent over and planted his hand on the back of my chair. “Not cool. I wasn’t going to say anything.” He glanced at Jonah. “Because your boy Jonah was saying it for me, but this has got to change.”

Swirling the end of his sandwich in the air, Ace said, “Yeah, I like Leo, but damn, he needs to grow a set of balls already.” He sipped from a bottle of Gatorade. “Aren’t you two like, boyfriends?”

“No, we’re not boyfriends. We’re…” What were we exactly? Dating? I pressed my lips together. It sure felt like it was a lot more than dating. Wait, we were exclusive, right? He wasn’t seeing anyone else, right? My heart stuttered. We’d never discussed it, but I couldn’t believe he was seeing anyone else.

Tyler strode over and fell into the chair at the head of the table, next to me but opposite Jonah. He peered at me with his intense brown eyes, his long, dirty blond hair framing his face and falling to his shoulders. “Whatever you two are, it’s plain to see when you’re together, you’ve got something special.” He planted his hand on my shoulder. “Leo seems like a good guy and you’re playing better than ever with him in your life. We don’t live in Leo’s head.” He glanced at each of the guys in turn. “We don’t know what he’s facing.” He lifted his chin. “Do we guys?”

With a low mumble, they all hung their heads.

“So, everyone, quit being so fucking judgmental and be happy he’s going to spend the day with his man, whatever that looks like.” He patted me on the back, then jumped up and jogged into the kitchen.

“Thank you, Ty.” I held my head high, then bit into my sandwich. This discussion was over.

“Yeah, just don’t try to fuck Leo in his mom’s kitchen when they’re not looking,” Mason cackled.

The room erupted in laughter.

“Fuckers.” With a soft chuckle, I shook my head.

A few hours later,I was studying at my desk in my room and my phone rang with a FaceTime call from Leo. As my heart warmed, I answered the call, setting my pencil down on my notepad. “Hey, Leo.”

His stunning face came into view as he walked, the darkening sky and trees behind him. “Hey. I wanted to see you before I went in to help my mom. I figured you might be winding down about now.”

“Sort of. I’m getting my studying done.” I glanced at my laptop, open to one of my textbooks, then focused on him. “But I need a break.” God, what I’d give to have him come over later and spend the night with me tonight. But I wasn’t going to ask. We’d made our plans for tomorrow.

“Oh, well, good. How was practice this week?” He stopped walking and brushed a lock of dark hair off his brow.

“It was awesome. I’ve got a fire lit up inside me after that chat with Mr. Dupont.” I let a smile creep over my lips. “Plus, I think maybe you’re good for my game.”

“What?” He snapped the edge of his mouth up. “Come on.”

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