Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Anthony: I know what you mean…and thanks. You’re a nice guy, Kason.
Me: Ugh. Stop it. Don’t ever call me that again. We’ve already talked about nice guys finishing last.
Anthony: And I already told you that you never will. Are you trying to get compliments out of me?
Me: I mean, I wouldn’t complain. *wink emoji*
Anthony: I’m beginning to think you’re naughtier than you let on, Mr. I-wouldn’t-complain.
I smile. Everything about this man makes me do that.
Me: Is that my new nickname?
Anthony: For tonight. I should go, though. Thank you for the compliment. It means a lot…and you’re a beautiful goalie.
A beautiful goalie. That’s not one I’ve heard before, but it’s definitely a good compliment. My chest floods with warmth.
Me: Thank you. See you when I get home.
Anthony: Good night, Kason.
I’m still grinning when I reach over and put my phone on the charger.
“Okay, Madsies. Spill,” Rylan says, shocking me out of my Anthony trance.
“Spill what?”
“Who you’ve been talking to so much. I saw you smiling like an idiot, your face glowing from the light on your phone.”
For a second, I play with the idea of trying to deny what I’m sure was a goofy grin, but that doesn’t feel true to me. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him. I’m not the kind of guy who tries to keep shit like this a secret. I’ve done it once, and that didn’t turn out good for me in the end, but I also don’t know what’s going on here. Anthony and I have only been on one official date. At this point we really are just friends getting to know each other, and from what I can tell, he hasn’t mentioned us spending time together to Hayes or Donovan. If Hayes knew, Rylan would know, and he would be asking me a lot more specific questions and teasing me about dating Anthony. I don’t want to say anything if he’s not ready or before we figure out what’s even going on—if anything—between us. “Just a friend,” I say.
Rylan laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“Remember that time I was crushing on Hayes and didn’t know it? I always thought you were smarter and more emotionally aware than me. Weird.”
I can’t help but chuckle. He’s not wrong. It took Rylan’s parents opening his eyes for him to see he had feelings for Hayes, but this is different. “I do have a crush, and I can admit I have one, asshole. I’m not saying I’m in love with the guy or even ready to be boyfriends, but I’m interested. I’m trying to get to know him better.”
“So it’s a guy, huh? Must be someone we know since you won’t tell me…please don’t tell me it’s someone on our team. Madsies, that would be a huge mistake but also kinda hot if you’re giving someone their bi-awakening.”
Another chuckle slips past my lips. “You’re an idiot.”
“But an adorable one.”
“I beg to differ,” I lie. “And what the hell is a bi-awakening?”
“Geez, keep up with current terms. It’s someone realizing they’re bisexual.”
Interesting.
“You didn’t say he’s not a hockey player.”
Been there. Done that. Not going there again. “He’s not a hockey player.”
“I can’t believe you’re not telling me your secret crush.”
I roll my eyes, though he can’t see it in the semidarkness of the room. “You’re so dramatic.”
“I’m having a crisis over here. You could be a little more understanding.”
“Because it’s all about you,” I joke.
“You said it, not me.” He tosses a pillow at me. “I’m giving you shit. You know I’m always here if you need me, right? I can be lost in my own world, but you’re my buddy and I have your back. If you need me to sell you to this guy, I can, but if he doesn’t see your worth, then fuck him.”
“You’re sweet, Pierce, but I’m good. It was one date. I’m just seeing what happens.”
“Well, see what happens faster. Being in love is fucking awesome.”
“Slow your roll over there. No one is talking about love.” But I wouldn’t mind being in love. It’s not something I’m against, unlike a lot of other people I know. It’ll be nice to have a person one day.
“Your loss,” Rylan teases before plugging his phone into the charger. “I wonder if your boyfriend has magic cum like mine.”
“Oh my God. Shut up. And he’s not my boyfriend.”
I roll over to go to sleep, but I can’t stop thinking about what he said. Boyfriend. I haven’t had one of those in a long time.
*
When I get back to LA, Anthony and I go out to dinner, this time heading to my place to hang out afterward. There’s no falling asleep like before, but there are innocent touches, good conversation, and lots of laughs.
It’s on a Tuesday after that, when I wake up feeling antsy, that I’m hoping he wants to hang out again. I don’t want to call him too early because he was at work the night before, so I wait until ten, then text him, hoping it won’t wake him up.