by David Horne
“Still here? You’re living on the wild side?” James teased me as he sat down with Olivia a few hours later.
“Just chatting,” I replied, holding up my empty hands. I still stuck to the one beer. Lance was enough of a high for me, and I felt like I could stay here all night. James gave me a look before glancing at Lance, and I suspected that he was picking up on the situation. I stayed past midnight, and the party was thinning out. I looked at Lance, and Olivia smiled as she looked at her phone.
“I should get home. I have to study tomorrow all day. Want a ride, Lance?” She looked at him, and he glanced at me.
“Where do you live?” I asked him as Olivia nibbled on her lower lip.
“In the apartments across from the campus. Autumn Oaks.” I chuckled since that’s where I lived.
“Me, too. Let’s go. I have practice tomorrow.” I suggested, and we all stood. James and Polly had already left, and we walked through the front door and out to our cars on the street. Olivia jumped into an older Chevy after hugging Lance and telling me how much fun she had. “This is me.” I nodded to my black car, and Lance looked over with a low whistle.
“Nice ride.” He told me as I laughed.
“It’s my big purchase,” I told him as I pushed the button to unlock the door. I hesitated, wanting to open it for him but knowing that we weren’t there yet. He grabbed the handle, and I watched as he slid into the passenger seat, admiring his tight ass. I walked around to my side and got in, starting the engine as I asked if he liked Blind Melon. Lance assured me that he liked all music and I pulled onto the street to head home. “Do you live alone?” I asked as I glanced at him at a stop sign.
“Yeah. It’s a one-bedroom. I think Olivia and I are back and forth between apartments, though. She lives down the street.” He replied as I nodded.
“You’re close?” I asked as he leaned his head back.
“She’s my sister. Not a real one but we’ve been close since we met in high school.” I didn’t hear anything more than friendship in his voice and stayed quiet for a moment as I drove through a green light.
“I think I know what I’m feeling here. Am I reading it wrong?” I asked before we turned into the parking lot of the complex.
“You’re not,” he replied as we parked and sat in the car in silence. “I felt it as soon as I saw you last night.” He glanced at me. “You like men? Women as well?”
“Men,” I replied as he smiled. “I’m not out in my world. I keep it between a few close friends since it’s still iffy in sports.” I wanted him to know that I wasn’t ashamed of it. I just didn’t want to go all-in for something casual.
“I get that,” he replied, and we stared at each other. The heat between us was fucking intense, and I shuddered. “I’m not flamboyant about it. I don’t care who knows, but I respect people.”
“I picked up on that.” I glanced at my clock and knew I should get some sleep. “Shit. I have practice tomorrow. Can we hang out sometime?” I looked into his gorgeous face to see a wide smile.
“I’d like that,” Lance told me as I reached for my phone.
“Put your number in my phone.” I handed it to him, watching as he worked quickly. He reached into his pocket and held up his phone.
“I just sent myself a text.” He looked around the parking lot and then back at me. “I want to kiss you. Can I walk you to your door and maybe inside?”
“How about I walk you to yours?” I asked, and he shrugged. “Roommates.” We left the car and walked to his apartment on the second level that was separated from the other doors. I glanced around and stalked toward him, needing to feel his mouth on mine. I watched his eyes widen before I claimed him as mine, feeling tingles all through my body at the connection. I knew that I could easily shove him through the door and do all the things I wanted, but I tried to think responsibly. “Mmmm… I wish I could take this further, but I have an early morning.” I pulled back to look at him. “I can’t afford to blow off the game right now.”
“I understand,” Lance said with warm eyes.
I hoped that he did and pecked his mouth before stepping back. “I’ll call you soon.”
“Hope so.” He grinned a sexy smile, and I shook my head. “Get some sleep… Dane.”
“You, too.” He unlocked his door, and I made sure it was closed before jogging across the complex to my first-floor unit. A couple of the guys were hanging out in the living room playing the video game of the moment, and I glanced their way.
“Burning the midnight oil? We have practice tomorrow.” I reminded them as Ned rolled his eyes.
“It’s not that early.”
“Tell me that tomorrow, asshole,” I called back to him as I headed down the hall to my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and headed into the attached bathroom to clean up before bed, gazing down at my hard cock. It wanted to run back to Lance’s apartment as much as I did. I reached down to stroke it a few times, hoping that I could ease the pain. I cleaned up again when I was finished and got a few hours of sleep before going jogging, then on to practice.
Chapter Three
Lance
I slept fitfully that night. I’d slept with men and had much more contact than that, but Dane’s kiss made me hotter than I’d ever been over anyone else. I knew it was the combination of seeing him on the ice as well as the way he was so confident with his needs. His kiss was hard and demanding, and I shivered as I rolled over to my side.
It was no surprise that someone was knocking at my door at eight the following day. She was never the type to be happy on the phone unless she was out of town, and even then, she demanded to video chat with me. I groaned and pulled on some shorts before loudly complaining as I approached the door. “What the hell is the emergency?” I asked as I swung the door open to see my best friend’s smiling face.
“I brought coffee and muffins. I thought we could have breakfast together if you’re alone.” She beamed at me as I shook my head and opened the door wider.
“What kind of boy do you think I am?” I fluttered my eyelashes as she walked inside, giggling.
“I’ve seen you with guys not nearly as hot as that one before.” She reminded me as she set the cups and bag down at the small bistro table in my dining room. “How did it go after you left?”
“He drove me home, and we talked in the car. You should have seen the way he asked me if I was feeling the same thing he was. It was sexy!” I sat down with her and reached for my coffee as she nodded for more. “He also told me that he was under the radar with his sexuality. It’s sketchy in sports still or something.”
“That’s probably true. He’s so close to getting signed with the NHL, from what Polly said.” I looked at Olivia as she spoke carefully. “What happened after that?”
“He walked me to my door and kissed me. That mouth of his is hot as fuck,” I told her as she smiled. “There’s something there, Oli. I just don’t know what it is yet.”
“See where it goes. You already know that he’s a busy guy, so that won’t be a shock.” She pointed out, and I gazed at her. “Polly told me how it is, but she thinks it’s worth it. When they go pro, they travel. It’s just part of it.” She smiled, and I reached into the bag for the muffins. “I thought we could split them since I couldn’t decide.”
I stood to get a knife and plates, cutting the blueberry muffin and the lemon one. I plated them and slid one across to Olivia as she set her coffee down. “I am going to see what happens. He has my number, and I have his. I am going to give him the lead and hang back.”
“Good. I could see that he was into you.” She nodded and tore a piece of a muffin, chewing it slowly.
“Did you see any players you might be interested in?” I asked her as she gave me a sad smile.
“They’re hot, but I’m not ready for anything.” She shivered, and I sighed heavily.
“Tyler was three months ago. You’ve got to get back in the saddle again, Oli. You’re the best woman that I know.” I reached ou
t to place my hand on hers. She looked at me with her big eyes. “Don’t let him destroy your faith.” Admittedly, Tyler was an asshole. He treated Olivia like shit the six months they were together, tearing down her confidence. It was when she found out he was actively cheating on her that she ended things and the guy was only still alive because he left the state. I focused on healing her.
“I just need a little more time.” She pleaded, and I nodded. She stayed for a few hours before leaving to get ready for her job at the local cafe. She worked the afternoon shift on some weekends when they needed help. Her father was covering the cost of her education and rent, but they weren’t close. She wanted to earn something on her own, and the owners of the restaurant considered her to be a daughter. The fact that he was helping her Mom with her younger sister was her dad’s only saving grace.
I locked the door and stretched slowly. It was Saturday, and while I didn’t work a full-time job, I did some freelance work marketing for a few local companies. My grandparents set me up with a trust fund that covered college and the apartment close to campus. I didn’t need money, but I enjoyed the work, and it paid for some fun nights out. I sat down at the table with a refill of coffee before designing a website for a new restaurant in town. I made a new menu for them that was more updated, and they were offering a new delivery service through some of the apps that were popping up. It was a big project, but it would put some money into my account as well.
I went to see Olivia at the cafe later that evening after working all day. We were talking about going out that night, and I wanted to check in on the plans. I also just needed to get out of the house. I walked into the building in the historic shopping district and smiled as she looked up from the counter. “Hey,” I called as I walked through the tables to smile at her. “Almost off?”
“I’m closing since Mary isn’t feeling good. Stay with me?” She asked as I watched her sweet smile.
“You know it. Do you have any cold brew tonight?” I asked as she nodded. She poured me one, and I walked over to a table to check my phone for any emails regarding work. I also checked a few social media platforms and made a note that Tyler was living in New York now. Olivia didn’t know that I was keeping tabs on him, and I never intended to tell her. I glanced at her as she handed a coffee to a girl, knowing how much he cared for her.
I set the phone down just as it vibrated in my hand. I glanced down to see a message coming through from Dane and grinned. I checked it and saw that he finished with practice for the day. He asked what I was doing. I explained that I was waiting for Olivia to get off work and go from there. Dane asked where I was, and I walked over to her to ask if she was okay with me inviting him here. I worked hard not to be one of those friends that disappeared when a new guy came into my life. She was important to me, and I wanted her to be a part of every aspect of my life. “Hey, are you okay with Dane coming here? He’s free now.”
“Of course. I need to make sure that I approve of him.” She winked at me, and I grinned as I headed back to the table. I told him where the coffee shop was, and he said he’d be there in about half an hour since it was close to the apartment complex. I checked around to see what was going on tonight and found a local band was playing across town. Olivia and I both liked them, and I hoped that Dane did as well.
I watched as he walked into the cafe, taking up the entire doorway. Dane was tall and big, and I licked my lips as he looked around for me. I could still feel his kiss and my skin heated as he met my eyes. “Hi, Lance.” He greeted me, coming to sit down before looking around. “Nice place. Does she work here a lot?”
“Nah. Just when they need help,” I replied as I took in his tousled hair. “Want something to drink?”
“What’s good here?” Dane asked as I looked down at my half-empty cup.
“The cold brew is my preferred favorite.” He said that sounded good and I walked over to get one, feeling Dane’s eyes on me all the way. I checked with Olivia about seeing the band, and she agreed as she slid a cup across the counter. I picked it up to take it to Dane, who was watching me from across the room. He was all things masculine on sight, but I knew what his lips could do. I could see the need in his eyes as I took my seat and gave him the cup.
“It’s good. I think I could use something like this on early practice days.” He told me after he tasted it.
“It’s a good thing it’s taking over the world then,” I replied, leaning back as I took in his fitted shirt that showed off his incredible body. “There’s a band we like playing across town at a bar. Do you like music?”
“It keeps me going. Who are they?” Dane asked as I grinned.
“Under Fire. They’re local with an alternative rock thing going on.” I told him, and he nodded.
“James took me to see them. They’re great.” I nodded at his words. “They might even be there.”
“Cool.” I didn’t know what that meant but was open to the idea. If he was good with it, so was I. “When do you play again?”
“Monday night. Home game,” he replied as he reached for his cup again. “Want to come with Olivia again?”
The plan for the game was made on the way to the show. She was excited, and the vibe was good in Olivia’s car as she drove. She didn’t drink much, to begin with, and always offered me the option, and tonight she was extending that to Dane as well. I assumed as an athlete, he would never overdo it. At least, not now. He identified James’ car in the lot, and Olivia said that she hoped Polly was here.
Everyone was there, and we all got drinks and joined James at the table by the stage. It was a few of the players and friends, and I eased into a seat against the wall as Dane stood beside me. I knew that we weren’t going to act as if this was a date, but the point was to get to know each other. We talked in the group as we waited for the band and I discovered that Dane was a driven, confident man in what he wanted. It was sexy and made me realize that he was mature beyond his age as a college student.
The night ended, and Olivia dropped us off at our cars. We weren’t anywhere even close to being buzzed, so it wasn’t a problem. Once we arrived home, he followed me to my apartment. I watched as he unlocked my door and opened the door, looking back with an invitation in his stormy eyes. I followed him, despite it being my home, and he closed the door behind him before looking around. “Your apartment is great. My roommate's trash mine most of the time.”
“That’s why I live alone. Olivia stays here sometimes, but she has a condo on the other side of the campus by herself.” I replied as he gazed at me. “I had a good time tonight.” There were some stolen touches between us over the evening, under the table. They made me desperate for his kiss, and I pressed my hands to my jeans before stepping toward him.
“It was the best.” He replied as he licked his full lower lip. He watched as I stepped in front of him, our faces level. He was a tall guy, but I had the height too. I wasn’t as muscular as he was, but I could hold my own. I reached out to cup his cheek, feeling the heat before I pressed my mouth to his. Everything from the night before flooded back and I gasped as he gripped my hips to pull me closer.
Our mouths crashed together, and our hands gripped and squeezed as they roamed. His tongue touched mine as our lips parted, and I moaned against him as he pushed me back against the counter. Attraction flooded me as I felt things intensify, and I slid my arms around his neck to pull him closer.
We ended up on my couch together, making out like teenagers. Our hands were moving and curious, but he seemed to want to slow things down. Dane pulled away, gasping for air as he bent his head back. “Jesus fucking Christ,” he whispered as I wiped my mouth with one hand.
“Are you okay?” I asked as he breathed heavily.
“I haven’t felt anything like this in a while. It’s a little overwhelming,” he responded, and I nodded in agreement. “I thought about this all night. I wanted to touch you throughout the show.” He stared at me, and I saw the doubt in his eyes as he searched my face.
Our mouths crashed together as we moved, and I felt the pressure building in my stomach. It was just bodies touching through clothes, but it was the most erotic thing I’d ever done. I cried out as my balls ached and Dane buried his face in my neck as I came, following me with a moan of his own. We slumped together, our bodies damp. I held him against me as he breathed heavily, feeling like everything was right in the world.
“That was incredible,” Dane told me finally as he leaned down for a soft kiss. “I haven’t done that since I first knew I was into men.”
“When was that?” I asked as he sighed.
“I think I was younger than I want to give myself credit for. Being in sports since I was young, I had a certain reputation to uphold. I did sleep with women and managed to get through it. I didn’t enjoy it or feel connected to any of them the way I did to my first simple kiss with a man. I don’t have the experience that some of my friends have with the puck bunnies, but I know I’m attracted to men.” His words were soft, and I stroked his hair gently, wanting more of this man, “How about you?”
“It was early in high school. I think everyone has crazy hormones at that age, but mine were all directed at the boys around me. I didn’t act on it out in the open, and my hookups were quiet. I had a lot of friends and now know that they suspected it. I just like to keep my cards close to my chest. I did until I met Olivia in senior year. I told her everything the first night we hung out. I knew I found my second half.” I smiled at the memory, and Dane looked at me with warm eyes.
“Never anything more than friends?” He asked, and I shook my head.