Page 6 of Icing the Play

He gave me a wry grin. “Yeah, then I can gauge if he’s really interested in me.” He twisted his lips. “What time?”

“Around four. The class is at three.” It’d be fine. If these two were meant for each other, then I’d force myself to be happy for them. I slid my phone out of a pocket in my shorts. “Hey, do you still have the same number from high school?” I tapped open the contact app on my screen.

“Yeah.” He repeated the number to me.

“Got it. I’ll text you later. It was good to see you, man.” I wrapped an arm around his shoulders and side-hugged him.

“Great seeing you, Coop.” With a wide grin and a wave, he strolled away from me.

Later that day,my gaze landed on JJ as he strolled along the walkway to the building housing our accounting class. His height mirrored mine, but he had a slimmer build and an awesome wingspan. He was all long legs and long arms. “Hey, JJ, wait up,” I yelled as I jogged to his side.

“Hey, Coop.” He clapped me on the shoulder and continued his quick stroll.

“You’ll never guess who I had lunch with today.” I looked over his flowing brown hair, falling to his shoulders.

His stark blue gaze shifted to mine. “Who?”

“Myles Cummings.” I lifted my brows, watching him. He’d be happy, wouldn’t he?

“Shit, really? You knew him from high school, right?” He stopped and planted his hands on his hips. “How’s he doing?”

“Great. We had lunch at Five Guys. He’s going to meet us for a beer after class.” I lifted my chin. Was I being a match maker here? Yeah…

“He is?” He rubbed his chin and bit his lower lip. “I hope he’s not mad at me.” He stepped toward the building, a modern thing with lots of glass.

“Why would he be mad at you?” I followed and then got the door for us both, walking inside the cool air conditioning.

“I sort of stopped texting him over the summer.” He pressed his lips together as we made our way down a student-filled hallway.

I glanced at the room numbers next to the doors and found our room. “Hey, we’re in here.” I waved him inside. Why the hell was texting over the summer such a big deal?

“Thanks.” He seated himself at a long table toward the back of the room.

Sitting in the chair next to him, I placed my backpack on the table. The professor wasn’t even here yet. And why did so many of the classrooms resemble conference rooms from the corporate world? We had time to chat. “You know, he said the same thing. He felt bad about not keeping up with your texts.”

“Yeah?” A small grin worked over his lips and then it morphed into a smirk. “Did you two talk about me?” He cocked a brow and slid his backpack off his shoulder.

“Of course.” I pulled my laptop from my bag and placed it on the floor. “Why didn’t you two hook up again?” Theywereboth gay…and jocks.

“It’s like I told you. He didn’t seem interested in me. I have game, but only if I’m feeling it from the other guy.” He slid his computer out and set it on the table, then rubbed his brow. “Wait, was I wrong?”

With a soft snort, I said, “You both thought the same things. He didn’t think you were interested in him, either.” Okay, I’d planted the seed for later. Now to see where things went. My heart stuttered. “Fuck.”

“What?” He stared at me.

“He doesn’t know I’ve been experimenting with guys. He thinks I’m straight.” I chewed my lower lip. Did I care if he knew? But nobody from back home knew. JJ was the first guy I’d admitted it to. But then, it was because he was gay and all his friends were queer. I’d thought admitting it to him would help me fit in better with them, and it had worked.

Lowering his brows, he said, “Coop, if you don’t want me to say anything, I won’t. You can trust me on this.”

With a nod, I said, “Yeah, I trust you. I’m…I’m sure I’ll tell him at some point.” But then would all our high school friends know? Did I care? What about my family? Shit. My gaze snagged on the professor strolling into class with her computer bag over her shoulder. “Anyway, I’ll text him after class and we’ll all meet up. Maybe now you two will vibe.” I snickered.

After class,I’d texted Myles, and we were meeting him at 414 Pizza, because it was fun, close by and cheap. I strolled into the bar and restaurant behind JJ, my eyes adjusting to the darkness from the sunshine outside. My gaze roamed over the black chairs and tables scattered over a concrete floor with crazy paint spatters and then the dark walls with writing scrawled over them in chalk. I’d only come in here once before with the football team after a practice. We’d sung some karaoke. Good times.

“Myles, how are you?” JJ stepped to a booth in the corner and held out his arm.

“Great, how are you?” Myles rose and gave JJ a warm hug. “Have a pleasant summer?” He freed him, looking him over.

“I did.” JJ stole a glance at me. “Sorry I, uh, didn’t keep in touch.” He brushed his hand over the back of his hair.

---