Page 150 of The Head Game

“It sucks you felt like you had to choose.”

“I’m glad kids know they have more options now,” August said, wrapping his arms more tightly around Nico’s chest.

Nico smiled and bent his head, kissing August’s forearm. “Me too. We owe a lot to La Bouche.”

“We do.”

“And no, I’ve never had sex with him. Or Dustin.”

“I didn’t ask!”

“I know, but everyone else does.” Nico grumbled. “Hey, now that there are a decent number of out guys in the league, do you regret the choice you made?”

August’s sigh was heavy. “I don’t know. Maybe a little. There’s a part of me that says ‘see, you could have had it all’ but the other part is a lot more realistic. I couldn’t manage a relationship when I wasn’t playing. And my officiating career looks like it’ll be short-lived. Mostly I wonder if it makes any sense to try to plan at all. It never seems like my plans work out, so … what’s the point of making them?”

“Aww, you’re beginning to embrace the Nico Arents Life Philosophy.”

August laughed softly.

Nico reached out, using his toes to turn on the hot water again. The tub was starting to cool already. He grimaced at the sight of his scuffed toenail polish. “Ugh, I need a pedicure. It’s been too long since Sky and I went.”

“Are you just into the colors or …”

Nico shrugged. “I mean, Sky and I started going together because it’s relaxing and it feels nice to have someone pamper you. They always buffed my fingers and toes or gave me a clear coat or whatever. One time I asked why I didn’t get pretty colors too and they told me to pick whatever I wanted. I’m not into it for my nails so much but I like it on my toes. It’s fun. Makes me smile when I peel off my sweaty socks at the end of a game.”

“Makes sense.” August shifted like he was trying to get comfortable and Nico sat upright until he settled into position.

“I’m not like Charlie,” Nico said slowly. “But I do get annoyed that men aren’t supposed to like or wear certain things.”

“Sure. I get that.” August slid his hands up and down Nico’s arms, the slow gliding movement sending pleasurable tingles through Nico’s body.

“And I think I’ve cultivated an image where people shrug and go ‘yeah, that’s just Nico.’” He used his toes to turn the water off again. “So it works for me.”

“I can definitely see that.” It sounded like August was smiling.

“Have you ever wanted to go wild that way?”

“Mmm, no. Not that I can think of,” August said.

Nico laughed and patted August’s thigh. “You are predictable.”

August let out a derisive noise. “Nico, everything I have done since we first hooked up has been the opposite of predictable.”

“Do you hate it?”

August fell silent. “I hate that my career is on the chopping block,” he said eventually. “I don’t hate the rest of it.”

Nodding, Nico turned his head and kissed August’s cheek. His stubble had grown out, tickling against Nico’s lips.

“I’m sorry—”

“Don’t apologize.” August’s tone was firm. “Don’t. I made my choices. I live with the consequences.”

But Nico felt a tiny stab of guilt. The problem was, August was living with Nico’s consequences too.

“Stop it,” August murmured in his ear a few minutes later. “I can hear you mentally squirming and feeling guilty.”

Nico laughed. “That isn’t possible.”

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