Page 112 of Jace
And I don’t want to be a thing. I want the world to know me for my skills, and I do not mean my skills in the bedroom.
I just want to play ball. And maybe suck his dick a little bit. That would be great on my tombstone right?Here lies Tyler King; he just wanted to play ball and suck dicks. Well, Jace’s dick in particular.
So I stare and stare and stare as he dances with Missy, as he gets on a makeshift stage and starts singing 'Let it go’ on the karaoke set, owning the song even like a damn princess, the crowd cheering him on when he throws his wig at them.
And I’m getting more agitated by the minute.
“You okay?” Tuck asks me after Jace’s impromptu performance, handing me a beer and leaning next to me against the wall. “Here. I think you can drink at leastonebeer tonight, because you look like someone ran over your cat or something.”
“Thanks.” I take a much-needed sip. “I don’t have a cat, but I would hate it if something happened to Patrice or Patrick, though.”
“Me too, brother. Me too,” he supplies before sipping his drink. Yes, we all love those stupid ducks. Lamar brings them over whenever he can.
“So,” Tuck continues when I stay silent, both watching over our busy living room where strobe lights go haywire, another courtesy of Lamar. “You wanna talk about it?”
I side-eye him. “What's there to talk about?”
“Come on…” He nudges me. “I’m no fool. I’ve been in the closet. It’s scary.”
I snap my gaze at him and his baby-blues crinkle at the corners as he smiles. Christ, he’s like the male version of Kaylee. Jace is blonde as well, but whereas he’s all edgy and sexy and has that rockstar vibe going on, Tuck’s more like the sunshine boy next door.
“Who says I have a closet to get out of? The team probably already knows. Gossip spreads fast on this campus.” I sound stupid even to my own ears.
“Please.” Tuck rolls his eyes and fiddles with his cup. “I would know if the team or the coaches were aware of what’s happening upstairs.” He nods to the staircase. “In case you wondered; your roommates kept their mouths shut. I asked them to, because I’ve been where you are.”
Fucking Tuck. I hate that he has to be so nice. Because I still want to throat punch him every time his gaze lingers too long on Jace.
“Just saying,” he goes on as I once more don’t have the courtesy to reply. “As the only out dude on the roster? I’m here if you need me. I still consider you a friend.”
Rubbing my face, I nudge him this time, mustering up some bravado. “You are.Weare. I’m really sorry, Tuck. I’ve been a dick to you lately.”
“Tell me about it. Jealousy can be a fickle bitch.”
“I wasn’t jealous,” I answer automatically.
He side-eyes me, raising his blonde brows. “Really?”
“Okay fuck, you’ve got me there. I might’ve been a very teeny tiny bit jealous.”
“Glad you finally have the guts to admit it,” Tuck supplies happily, drowning the last of his drink.
Following his example, I nurse my own beer, thoughts going all over the place. I’m pretty sure I’m in this with Jace for the long haul, it just feels too good. Too right. And I’m no one to overthink shit or to be afraid of anything really.
But I’d hate it if I tank my career before it even begins.
Tuck’s right though, he’s actually the only person on this entire damn campus who I can ask about this stuff. Because as an out college player, he is the only person available who actually went through that, who’s living it.
“What’s it like?” I ask finally, making him frown at me.
“What’s what like?”
“You know…” I gesture at Jace, who’s very busy twirling around Ava’s petite frame like she weighs nothing. “He deserves more and I want to give it to him. So what’s coming out as gay to the public like, to the team especially?”
When Tuck stays silent, I swallow away my fear and turn my head to him, but he’s smiling at me broadly.
“What?” I ask a bit hoarse, nerves fluttering in my chest.
“Are you guys official then? I know he hangs out here a lot… I mean it’s obvious what you’ve been doing, but you know, it could be experimental or just a hook-up or something…”
