Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Me: And be careful…don’t let anyone hit you.
He comes home bruised a lot, especially along his torso. A few weeks back he’d gotten a black eye, and I might have overreacted, but it was the first time I’ve seen someone I care about hurt that way. Even though I know it’s from his game, it doesn’t feel good. It’s weird because I find myself wanting to take care of him when stuff like that happens. It makes my chest hurt to see Rylan in pain.
Rylan: Aww, I love that you care, but it’s kinda part of the job. I’ll do my best, though. And you’re supposed to say good pucking luck.
Me: No.
Rylan: Yes.
Me: No.
Rylan: Please?
Ugh. I sigh.
Me: Good pucking luck.
Rylan: That can be our thing. We should have a thing. Talk tonight?
Why is he asking me that? We talk basically every night. When he’s on road trips like he is now, Mads always leaves the room to give us time to jerk off together. When he’s home, we often talk in the evening even when I’m not with him. It’s almost as though, for the first time in my life, I have a best friend. One who likes to have orgasms with me.
Rylan has been acting a little different the past week or two. I can’t put my finger on what it is, though. He’s just…attentive. And sometimes I’ll be sitting there petting Puck or watching TV, and I’ll catch him staring at me like I have something on my face. When I ask him what he’s looking at, he’ll make a joke and turn away or just lean in and kiss me. It’s confusing as hell.
Me: Yeah. I’m with the Jilted Exes, but I’ll be back home so we don’t miss our time.
Rylan: If you’re having fun, don’t leave just for me.
My pulse throbs against my skin. Rylan is so caring. I hate that I didn’t see it in the beginning. He’s going to make someone an awesome boyfriend one day.
Me: I’ll be home.
I’ve gotten to the point where I look forward to my conversations with Rylan. A couple of weeks back, I quizzed him with a bunch of hockey questions after his game, and he didn’t even get annoyed with me. When he noticed I was surprised, he said, “I like that you want to know more about the game I love.” And then we’d just sorta looked at each other before busting up laughing.
Rylan: Okay. If you’re sure. I’ll make it worth it. Gotta go. Talk soon.
He ends the text with a wink emoji…and then an eggplant, followed by a peach because he’s Rylan and of course he has to do something like that.
I bite my bottom lip, looking at the messages and ignoring how fast my heart is beating. He’s absolutely ridiculous in every way, but he’s also fun, and makes me smile, and confuses the shit out of me.
On that note, I tuck my cell away, grab the veggie tray I agreed to bring for tonight, and get out of the car.
After I knock, I’m surprised when a guy I don’t recognize answers the door. I try not to frown, wondering if this is a party and I didn’t know it. I assumed that like always, it would just be the Jilted Exes. “Hi. I’m—”
The guy holds out his hand. “Hayes. It’s great to finally meet you. I’m Eric.”
Oh. Eric. That’s Donovan’s best friend. He’s mentioned him a lot. “Nice to meet you.”
We shake hands, and he holds the door open for me. The house smells delicious, the sliding glass door open and smoke coming in from the grill.
“I’m making my special wings,” Eric says.
“He’s a really good cook,” Donovan tells me as I join him and Anthony in the dining room.
“I wouldn’t say really good, but at least I keep this guy fed. He would be hopeless without me.” Eric wraps an arm around Donovan, who rests his head on Eric’s shoulder.
“Really, I don’t know what I would do without him.” Donovan kisses him on the cheek and then pulls away.
Has something changed between them? The three of us have talked about how we have no desire to get into another relationship, but they seem very affectionate.
“They should be just about done, and then we can eat before the game,” Eric says before going to check on them.
“How ya been?” Anthony asks as I set the veggies on the table.
Oh, just nervous to watch the game with them tonight. Afraid I’m going to make it obvious that I’m having sex with the right defenseman for the Los Angeles Rebels. Not that I can say any of that to Anthony. “Good, and you?”
We chat as we continue getting the food together, and then we all sit down outside to eat. I can’t help noticing Eric and Donovan together. The two practically finish each other’s sentences and anticipate each other’s needs. Donovan picks up the salt and hands it to Eric without him asking, and when I try to put ice in Donovan’s glass for him, it’s Eric who tells me he doesn’t like drinks with ice unless he has a straw, and they’re out.