Page 140 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

Ned puffed out his chest, as if proud of that statement. Knowing him, he’d totally taken Breck’s snarky quip as a compliment. And honestly, maybe it was. Ned had always had an open mind. Which was probably one of the reasons Breck gravitated to him. The guy was quality, through and through. Completely nonjudgmental. Loved to razz a brother, sure. And was totally shameless. But that just equated to ‘colorful friend.’

When Tad came out about his feelings for Scott, Ned had straight-up wanted to throw him a fucking party. Like, literally. An actual party. Of course, Tad had balked at the idea. Then proceeded to rid Ned of any other bright ideas. Specifically, by way of a headlock. Then a rough-and-tumble body pin. Ned might’ve been on his wrestling team in high school, but Tad still used his ass to mop the floor.

Ned served the ball. And just like that, Breck was back to chasing it. And yet, his thoughts continued to linger on Tad’s new relationship. Specifically, on the memories of last Friday, when they’d bar hopped in Georgetown. Scott, God love him, had volunteered to drive, and Tad’s tipsy behavior around him had been entertaining to say the least. Or maybe endearing was a better word. Tad couldn’t stop touching him, his hazel eyes ever locked on Scott’s face. His body never more than a few feet away from the guy at any given time.

And Scott. He’d been so attentive, yet so carefree. Messing with the lot of them just as much as he messed with Tad. Interestingly, though, when Scott didn’t think others were watching, Breck caught him regarding their drunken bunch with troubled eyes. As if the sight brought back unpleasant memories. Breck remembered wondering if something had happened in Scott’s past. And that maybe that was the reason he’d volunteered to be designated driver.

Come to think of it, as Tad grew drunker, Breck recalled how Scott had shifted gears, intercepting Tad’s attempts to keep drinking with clever forms of distraction. Hilarious stints of impromptu flirting whenever Tad had been about to take a swig. Not to mention his impressive ability to relieve Tad of his beer bottle without Tad ever even knowing. Directing his attention to something random, then swiping it from the table, or slyly coaxing it from Tad’s grasp while they’d discreetly kissed. Clearly, he’d been endeavoring to slow Tad’s consumption. His intentions in that regard had been crystal clear. All the while keeping each show of affection unexpectedly discreet.

Which, in hindsight, Breck found kind of curious. Scott wasn’t a hide-who-I-am type of guy. Breck supposed his reluctance for public displays was largely in part due to Tad’s recent altercation. When he’d been jumped by a band of homophobes after class one night. Breck’s gut clenched at the memory. Tad had dropped off the grid. When he finally resurfaced, he’d still been sporting one tore up mug.

Breck had been shocked. Wholly appalled. Beyond enraged. Fellow students from their college had done that to his friend. A fact that hadn’t just saddened and disappointed him, but reinforced his beliefs. Guys like him could never go public. Ever. He’d get utterly demolished by the very fans who professed devotion.

All that aside, Scott’s careful behavior just proved all the more what an awesome guy he was. Never taking any chances at Tad’s expense. Breck had to admit, Tad had landed an amazing boyfriend. If Breck were ever to date a guy, he’d want to date one like Scott.

Whoa. Wait. Where’d that come from?

Date a guy?

No way. Nuh uh.

His attraction to that gender was purely sexual. He’d never want a relationship. Only the ladies could be partner material. Surely, only a woman would have what it took. To keep him satisfied. Fulfilled. The heart stuff. The so-called romance. The fact that he’d kissed Kai meant entirely nothing at all. He’d been drunk, hadn’t been thinking straight, that spike in his heart rate when their tongues had touched just pure coincidence.

Besides, even if he did want to date Kai, it wasn’t like that was possible. The lifepath he’d forged for himself simply didn’t permit it. The sports world—and straight men as a whole—weren’t ready to embrace that kind of thing. If Tad’s run-in didn’t make that obvious, Breck didn’t know what fucking would.

Ned cracked the ball, snapping Breck out of autopilot. He lunged, then swung his racquet with all he had. For once, Ned couldn’t get to it quick enough.

“Yes!” He punched the air like he’d just won the lotto.

“Good job!” Ned panted, laughing. “You finally scored a point.”

Breck’s elation deflated like a balloon. “How ‘bout you bite me.”

Ned grinned and strolled all cockily to the receiver’s end of the court. “You know, all this healthy competition reminds me… You never told me your hoochie tally for last month, Mr. King of the Groupies.”

Breck swiped up the ball and made his way to the service box. “Hmm… Yeah, last month was a wash. Too busy with studying and then with finals. No time for that.” Although, in all honesty, he just hadn’t been feeling it. At least not for the ladies. Not since that kiss he’d had with Kai that meant ‘nothing at all.’

Ned gripped his hips and nodded thoughtfully, blowing at his long black bangs. “Well, how about this month? How’s it going?”

Breck shifted his weight. Inspected the ball in his hand. “Um... Yeah, pretty much the same. You know, with graduation… and pre-draft basketball shit.”

No response. Straight-up crickets.

He glanced Ned’s way. His friend was staring at him with brows pursed tight, in clear confusion.

“Wait.” Ned shook head. Briefly closed his eyes. “You mean to tell me you’re going on two months now without any sex?”

Breck shuttered his expression. Gave a shrug. “Yeah, so? I mean, Jesus, how many chicks could there possibly be left?”

Ned coughed a laugh. “A lot.”

Breck feigned a smirk. “Of honeys that make the cut. The list is short.”

Ned rolled his eyes and fought his smile. “Whatever. Well, since you’re clearly done with our contest, then so am I. Competing against myself’s not any fun. God knows, I can’t count on Tad or Jay to pick up the torch.”

Breck chuckled through a breath of relief. That stupid competition had dragged on way too fucking long.

Serving the ball, he got the next rally rolling, with Ned back to prattling on about this and that. Not only had he landed a part-time gig at the parkour facility, but he’d also scored a summer internship at ZeniMax. That game design company had been on his radar for ages. Now he finally had his in and, going by that smile, couldn’t be more stoked.

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