Page 45 of Bad Pucking Roommate

“I studied psychology in college before getting drafted. We had a genetics unit.”

“So, I’m not pre-programed to cut and run?”

I don’t think that question can be answered by science, but I gamble that he doesn’t know that. “Nope.”

“Oh, thank God.” It sounds like Tripp collapses against the back of the couch. “That’s a load off. Not that I wouldn’t still freakthe fuck out if something happened to Noah’s dick, but it’s nice to know I’m not destined to be as shitty as my parents. And that your concussion didn’t scramble your marbles. Luca’s lucky to have such a smart boyfriend. Not as lucky as me since my boyfriend is both smart and Thor personified, but you’re pretty hot too, Justus, so Luca scored.”

I’m not sure if Tripp is complementing or insulting me, but I can’t really sort through that since there’s one thing I understood loud and clear. He called us boyfriends.

“He’s not… We’re not…” I clear my throat and try again. “I’m not his boyfriend, I’m just crashing here temporarily.”

“Sure, go with that if it makes you feel better about hooking up with a guy. You’ll admit the truth eventually,” he sniggers.

“Why would you think we’re hooking up?” I turn my head this time and find both of them watching me with a mixture of empathy and resignation.

“We know you switched rooms with Noah,” Xander says levelly.

“Which means my boyfriend isn’t looking at your boyfriend’s dick before bed each night,” Tripp adds. “Ergo, youare, and unless you’re demi like Noah, chances are you’re doing more than just looking at Luca’s big fat cock.”

Even though Luca told me to assume they’d know about the watching part, I wasn’t expecting them to make the leap to participating. Still, I hold my ground. “Being roommates doesn’t make us boyfriends.”

“I get it.” Tripp winks. “I clung to the fuck buddy label too, but you don’t have to do that with us. This is a judgment free zone.” He draws an imaginary circle between the three of us.

“No, seriously. We haven’t done…that. Besides, the team has a no fraternization rule, so we really are just roommates.”

“If that’s true, why did he go berserk on the guy that put you into the boards the other day?” Xander asks.

“He’s just protective of me,” I dismiss. “I think it has to do with how I was such a fan growing up.”

“That makes perfect sense,” Tripp deadpans. “Along with the whole ‘stay at my house while you recover’and‘wear my clothes’thing.”

I glance down my body as my face flushes. I’m not wearing Luca’s clothes today, except for his underwear, which I’m only doing because they’re so soft, not because it makes me feel close to him or anything. They couldn’t possibly know that though. “These are my clothes.”

“We know.” Xander shoots me a guilty smile. “We brought them here yesterday.”Oh, right. I was wearing Luca’s sweats when they stopped over to bring me mine.

“Well, it’s not like I had any other options. It was either wear his stuff or go naked.”

“Ah ha.” Tripp points a finger at me. “I rest my case.”

“What case?”

“The one about you being boyfriends. You don’t play nurse and wear each other’s clothes without an ulterior motive. I should know.” Tripp not-so-subtly reminds us of how he took care of Noah when he injured his ankle, leading to their current relationship status. “Luca’s playing nurse,” he sings like kids do when they’re trying to embarrass one another.

“We really aren’t boyfriends.” I don’t know what we are, but it’s not that. We haven’t given ourselves that label. Or any label. “We couldn’t be because of the whole no fraternization rule.”

“Rules are made to be broken.” Tripp holds his beer up like he’s making a toast, though I don’t have anything to toast with.

“You would say that,” Xander huffs the same time I say, “We’re notbreaking any.”

Before either of them can respond a cheer echoes through the room, and the announcer rattles off Luca’s name.

“Someone looks good out there.” Tripp whistles. “You know anything about that,Mr. Not Boyfriends?”

“Why shouldn’t he look good? He’s the top scorer in the league,” I retort.

“That’s your story and you’re sticking to it, huh?”

He’s never going to let this go, is he?“Yes.”

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