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)
Makayla comes out, and we say our goodbyes. I have another lesson, and then I clean up and return to my apartment in West Hollywood.
I fuck around there for the rest of the day before it’s time to get ready for my night out with Mads. It’s nice of him to want to pick me up. That’s the kind of guy he is, though. Sometimes I feel like I should pinch myself—am I really living in a world where I own a WeHo bar, teach dance, have good friends, and now I can count the Kason Maddox as one of them? Young me could have never imagined this life for myself. It’s why I don’t push for more. It can’t get much better than this.
I put on my favorite green shirt that goes well with my eyes. It’s a tight V-neck, which I pair with jeans.
Just as I finish getting ready, there’s a knock at the door. I can’t help grinning, and it only grows when I pull the door open and see Mads there.
He’s not wearing a backward hat like he often does, his dark hair neater than usual. He’s freshly shaved and wearing a nice button-up.
“You look great,” I tell him.
“Thanks! I was just about to say the same thing to you.”
I’m surprised when he leans in and kisses me on the cheek. Oh. That was different. But then, what do I know? Mads and I are getting closer, and he must be an affectionate guy like that. I kiss Donovan and Hayes. Why can’t Mads kiss me?
“You ready?” he asks.
“Yep!” I grab my keys and cell, and we head out.
I’m lucky enough to have a guest parking spot at my building, which is what Mads used. He drives an SUV, which is absolutely ridiculous to me.
“You know what they say about a guy who drives an SUV, don’t you?” I ask when Mads gets into the driver’s seat.
“That they can easily carry around hockey gear?” He raises a brow, a mischievous grin cocking one side of his mouth.
“Okay, so that’s a good point. I didn’t think about that.”
“If you were going to make a joke about compensating for something, I can tell you I might not be the biggest guy around, but I haven’t had complaints.”
“I think you might be the first man I’ve ever known who doesn’t claim to have the world’s biggest ass-wrecking—or pussy-wrecking or both—sized cock.” From what I understand, Mads is bisexual, unlike me, who’s only ever been into men.
“Inclusion! I like it!” He turns on the car and pulls out. “You’d be surprised by the amount of bi-erasure I hear from people, both inside and outside the queer community. It’s a strange world where so many people are still stuck in the binary, whether it’s only recognizing straight or gay, male or female. So thank you for that.”
I’m not sure what to say at first. Everything Mads said is true, and while I’m not perfect, I do try to be inclusive, but man, and I know I’ve said this before, he’s just so…good. He tries to be so intentional in what he says and does. It doesn’t fit the idea I have in my head about most people, but keeping it real, it doesn’t feel very professional-hockey-player of him. While things are obviously better nowadays, we can’t pretend hockey isn’t very white and very straight.
“What?” Mads asks, and I realize I haven’t replied.
“Nothing. You’re just…kind, and different.”
“Hopefully that’s a good thing?”
“It is.”
“Good because my experience says nice guys finish last.”
“Right? What is that? I don’t understand it, but it’s true. This coming from someone who is fully part of the problem.”
He frowns. “You’re kind.”
“Yes, but I’m typically attracted to assholes.”
Mads chuckles. “Damn. That’s not good.”
“It’s a curse, I tell you. That’s never been a problem for you?”
Mads shakes his head. “Not really. I’m not saying it’s always been perfect. I’ve had my heart broken, had things just not work out or realize someone isn’t who I thought they were, but I’m not one who ends up being drawn to a person who doesn’t treat others well.”
“Teach me your ways, oh wise one,” I tease. Not that I want a relationship, but it would be nice not to have an asshole’s dick in my mouth again. And speaking of dick in my mouth, I do miss that. I’m not sure why I haven’t hooked up lately. I just haven’t made the time, I guess. Why can’t I just have easy sex without the work involved of going on apps—and okay, it’s not a lot of work, so I’m not sure what’s going on with me.
He smiles. “Maybe that’s about to change.”
“Maybe.”
I hope he’s right. And clearly, it’s physically possible for me to be attracted to nice guys since I would love to live in a world where I could freely jump his bones, climb him like a tree, and anything else I could think of, but I’m fairly certain no-strings-attached sex isn’t his thing. We could never be anything more because first, as I said, I doubt Mads would want that with me, and even if he did, I’m sure I would find a way to ruin it. The last thing I want is to do anything that will mess up this budding friendship. I could use more of those.