Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“Me too.” Jordan smiled. “It’s a refreshing change from practice.”
“Definitely. Sometimes we’re so hyper-focused that doing literally anything else feels like coming up for air.”
“No pun intended?” When Jordan laughed, I thought about how cute he was, but nope, he didn’t make my stomach feel all funny like someone else did.
“Have a good weekend.” I waved to the group when we got back to campus, then turned to Jordan. “See you bright and early Monday morning.”
“You too, and hey,” he said as he met my eyes. “If you ever want to—”
“Probably not a good idea,” I blurted, which made me feel ridiculous.
“I’m not asking you out, dude.” He chuckled uncomfortably. “I was only gonna suggest joining the club at the Love Shack in a couple of weeks. It’s a gay bar, and we’d all meet there. You know, for solidarity’s sake.”
“Damn, I’m sorry. I just assumed… I’m obviously an idiot.” I could barely look him in the eye. “I only meant that being on the same team and all—”
“No need to explain. Besides, you’re not my type. No offense.” His eyes flitted toward Steve, who stood about a foot taller than the other two club members near the crosswalk. He was attractive, for sure. And now I wondered if he was the reason Jordan joined the group to begin with. I supposed we all had our ulterior motives.
I breathed out in relief. “None taken.”
“It’s just nice to have someone else who gets it.”
“Yeah, it is.” I smiled, feeling so fucking relieved. “So this gay bar…can we even get in? I don’t have a fake ID or anything.”
“On certain nights, they have the same wristband system for underage college students as Shenanigans.”
“Really?” I’d never been to a gay bar before. So far, this whole university experience was turning out to be awesome.
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, then count me in. Sounds fun!”
“Cool!” He lifted his hand for a high five. “Catch you later.”
When I got back to the dorm, I was alone but wasn’t surprised because Bailey would’ve wanted to grab some grub once he roused. I was hungry too—the snacks they offered at the center weren’t going to cut it—so I’d have to figure out a game plan soon.
I lay on my bed, thinking about the morning at the teen center and smiling to myself. I pulled out my cell and scrolled to Remy’s number.
Hey, Ted, I texted.
What’s up, Carl?
I giggled like a little kid, so glad Bailey wasn’t in the room because he was bound to look at me like I was losing it.
So…the teen center was cool, and so was doing stuff with the kids there.
Sounds right up your alley, he replied, and I liked that he knew me that well.
There might be something up your alley too. They’ll be reaching out to the art department about painting a couple of murals, and I figured rainbows were your specialty, I teased.
LOL. Because they’re so cliché?
Obviously.
Well, thanks for thinking of me.
Don’t feel obligated. I was only imagining you putting your own spin on the project. No biggie. I certainly did not want him to feel pressured.
I held my breath until his message came through. Why does it sound like you really want me to do this?
Oh God, he totally had me there. I could either play it off or be honest, and lately, I was all for just putting it out there.
I don’t know. Maybe because it’s away from the university and Bailey, and something we’d have in common.
Sort of a dangerous proposition, though, don’t you think?
What? To become friends as adults? I mean, it’s totally innocent…isn’t it?
My pulse was beating rapidly as I waited.
I suppose it could be.
I breathed out, my skin tingling. You’re perfectly capable of keeping your hands to yourself, right? No confessions on the dock in the middle of a sunrise?
Had I really said that? Oh fuck. Maybe I’d gone too far in my teasing or flirting, or whatever this was.
You have gotten daring.
Suppose it’s easier by text.
I can picture how red your cheeks are.
Shut it.
The three dots kept moving on and off as he typed something. And what if we find we like hanging out?
I threw my covers off because, holy hell, I was completely heating up over these stupid innuendos. Maybe I could get in a good jerk-off session before Bailey got home.
Guess we’d have to cross that bridge if we came to it, I replied. Besides, I doubt it. You were a pain in the ass as a kid.
“What are you smiling about?” Bailey asked as he swung through the door. I fumbled my phone, my heart beating out of my chest. Holy fuck.
“Just some video on my phone,” I said, setting it down beside me and ignoring it.
He held up a bag. “I brought you a bagel sandwich in case you didn’t eat.”
“Oh my God, you’re a lifesaver.” I reached for the bag and practically ripped it open. “I was just thinking about food.”