Page 61 of Crossing Lines

“A few days. I leave on Wednesday.” He huffed a laugh. “We can have some fun and hang out. Didn’t you say there was a gay bar by your place too?”

My eyes grew wide. “Yes, I did.” He’d want to cruise the place. I wasn’t surprised. Shit, Jonah. I had yet to update Laurent on that situation. “Hey, there’s something you should know.”

“Oh? What’s that?” he asked.

“Remember that winger I told you about?” I grimaced. I was going to hear about it from him.

In a low voice, he said, “Yeah?”

I pursed my lips. “I uh, well, we started?—”

“You didn’t keep it in your pants.” He scoffed a laugh. “Damn it, Ryan. You’re having an affair with one of your players? Are you nuts?”

Setting my drink on the coffee table, I said, “It’s more than an affair, Laurent. He’s…he’s something special.” I rubbed over my chest as it tightened. I couldn’t tell him we were in love, could I?

“Special, huh? So special you’d risk your career?” He huffed a breath. “How much longer do you have in the season, four weeks? Six weeks, tops?”

“Yeah, about that.” Plucking my drink off the table, I downed it and hopped up to pour another.

“So, wait until the season is over, then date the guy.” He inhaled. “Go out to the gay bar with me and let’s find a hookup, you know, like old times. Maybe a threesome?”

I held the bottle of whisky at my bar console and stopped, my heart pounding. What was going on here? Me and Laurent were done. “A threesome? Why would you suggest that?” I poured a new drink, then picked up the glass and strolled to my patio doors.

“Why not? We’re adults and our relationship ended a long time ago. We should be able to handle a fun night out with nostrings attached, right?” he asked. “Besides, I don’t think I’ve found anyone who can?—”

“No, Laurent.” Heat filtered through my chest. I wouldn’t entertain any of this. I owed Jonah more than that.

“Why?”

“Because Jonah and I are exclusive. In fact, we’re in love.” There, I’d said it. I lifted my chin, gazing down at the lights on the street and the cars below me.

With a laugh, he said, “Are you fucking kidding me? How long have you known this guy? A few months?”

I tightened my hold on my drink. “It doesn’t matter.” I sipped my whisky.

“It does matter. When we met, how long did we date before we committed to each other? Almost a year, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, but I was in a bad headspace when I met you. I didn’t even love myself, let alone anyone else.” Shit, this conversation was getting out of hand. Why? I clenched my jaw. It didn’t sound like him. “What’s going on with you, Laurent?”

“Nothing. Don’t you think you’re jumping too quickly into a career-ending situation? I mean, Jesus, I get you’re lonely, but…”

“It’s not because I’m lonely.” Was it really career-ending? Laurent was making too much out of it. “Listen, when you come down, you can meet him.” I walked to my sofa and dropped into it. “I have a feeling you’ll like him.” A grin teased my lips.

“And do what? Happy couple things?” He scoffed a laugh. “I wanted to come down there and have some fun.” He breathed. “With you.”

“We still can. Jonah’s fun.” I drank more whisky. What was he getting at?

“Yeah, okay. I’m sorry. I bet I sound like a real ass.” He freed a long sigh.

“Yes, you sort of do.” I adjusted a throw pillow wedged in the corner of the couch. “What’s up with you, Laurent?” We hadn’t had a disagreement like this since we’d been together.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’m missing you,” he said in a soft voice. “You were my best friend…”

“Yeah?” Well, that was different. I took a long sip of my whisky. “I’m still your best friend.” Maybe he was the one who was feeling lonely.

“Good. I’m looking forward to seeing you in a few days.” He chuckled. “And to meeting this new guy of yours.”

I swallowed the rest of my drink. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to meet you as well.”

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