Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Hey, what’s up.” He kisses my cheek, then does the same to Hayes. “Does this meeting of the Jilted Exes call for something strong to drink, or is alcohol not needed?”
I chuckle. “Alcohol isn’t needed.”
His place is decorated very nice and modern, with lots of grays and blacks, but I notice there’s nothing super personal out for everyone to see. No photos of Anthony, family, or anything like that, which surprises me.
“I’m good too,” Hayes says.
“Have a seat. Want water?”
We both say yes, and Anthony goes into the kitchen and grabs two glasses, then comes back and sits cross-legged on the floor in front of the coffee table, moving fluidly. We’ve talked about going to Lush at some point but unfortunately haven’t made it yet. I’d really like to go see him dance, though.
“I’ve been on the edge of my seat all day,” Ant says, grinning. “We need an Eric update stat.”
I swallow half my water in a few gulps. Now that I’m here, I feel almost silly talking to them about it. I’m twenty-eight, and I needed to tell my friends I got hard and jerked off to Eric? It sounds absurd.
“I was playing with Eric’s hair while we were watching TV last night. He got a random boner. He asked me to look at it, and—”
“Was there something wrong with it?” Hayes interrupts.
“No. He didn’t ask me to examine his cock. He just sat up and pointed to his erection, which made me look, and then I got hard too.”
“As one does when looking at the bulge of a sexy man,” Anthony says.
Good point.
“Anyway, then he said we should take care of them, and I asked if he meant together because we’ve never done that before, and—”
“You haven’t?” Anthony interrupts.
“No. We’re best friends.”
“So? I must admit I haven’t had one of those, but isn’t that a thing that happens?”
I’m struck for a moment by him saying he never had a best friend. We’ve talked about it before, how the three of us didn’t grow up with a lot of friendship, and how we were all loners for one reason or another, but I just can’t imagine that for Anthony. He’s so sweet and outgoing. He seems up for anything, like an extrovert, and just…well, his looks don’t hurt him either.
How did Malcolm find us all? I might have had Eric, but if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have ever had anyone. From what they’ve said, Hayes and Anthony didn’t even have an Eric.
“You have a best friend now—two of us.” I nod to Hayes, including him. “When have we jerked off together?”
“I meant when you were younger, but I most definitely would if Hayes didn’t have a big hockey boyfriend, and you weren’t basically married to your best friend.”
I flush. Little does he know…
“We’re getting off track,” I say.
“Wait. You would want to jerk off with me if I didn’t have a super-hot hockey boyfriend?” Hayes asks.
“I said big, you added the super-hot—validly. But yes.”
“Wow…” Hayes leans back on the couch, looking very impressed with himself. “I can’t wait to tell Rylan.”
“He’s not going to want to beat me up, is he?” Ant asks.
Hayes rolls his eyes. “No. We don’t have sex with other people or anything, but he’ll be happy for me nonetheless. He always says I don’t see how desirable I am. Oh God. Not that you desire me.”
Anthony waves off his concern. “You’re hot, sweetheart. Your boyfriend is right.”
Hayes grins, blushes, and I add, “You are.”
“Huh. Go me,” Hayes says, and the three of us laugh. “Okay, back to Donovan and his sex story with Eric.”
“It’s not a sex story.” Though I guess it kinda is. “I can’t remember where I left off—him saying we should take care of our boners, I think. I asked if he meant together. He said no but that we could, and I said no.”
“Why did you say no?” Hayes asks.
“Did you not want to?” Anthony adds.
I think for a moment. There’s no denying I did want to, but wanting was confusing. All this is confusing. “I did…and I never have before, so I’m not sure how to feel about it. But I mostly said no because I don’t want to mess things up between us. I’ve worked really hard to keep a firm friendship boundary between Eric and me. I never wanted it to get blurry because I can’t imagine my life without him. I could never risk that.”
“Why are the two of you automatically not lasting in this scenario?” Anthony cocks a brow.
Because Eric has never been in a serious relationship.
He’s never even wanted one.
He’s said before he doesn’t get that spark. Sex? Yes. Relationship? No.
Because he’s straight.
Because I’m already amazed that Eric loves me as a best friend, and I figure it’s smart not to push my luck. I can’t get that lucky twice.