Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
By the time we both finished, we were a panting, shaky wreck and decided that lying down was a damned good idea right then. We breathed against each other’s lips as we kissed lazily for a few sweet minutes. I didn’t usually stick around after getting off with someone, but I liked the feel of Alex in my arms. I pulled him closer, and he curled against me.
Eventually, I got up, went to the fridge, and pulled out sodas and sandwich ingredients to feed us, just as he’d asked. Then we stuffed our faces and hung out until I needed to jump in the shower and head to work. I smiled the whole way to Indelible Ink. It’d been a good day.
You’re a good cuddler, Alex texted later that night.
You caught me off guard. I normally despise it.
I’m obviously rubbing off on you.
You can rub off on me anytime.
Noted, Alex replied with a smiley face.
And though he couldn’t see me, I grinned from ear to ear.
16
Alex
The LGBTQ club was just about to disperse when Steve stood to make an announcement. “Don’t forget about our night at the Love Shack on Thursday. We’ll meet outside the club. It’s costume night, but it’s not required. They hand out masks at the door if you want one.”
A murmur of excitement and awkward snickers reverberated around the group.
“Well, crap, I’m not so good at costume stuff.”
“No biggie. Just come as a swimmer,” Jordan said with a wink. “That’s what I’m doing.”
“Are you serious?” I asked.
“Why not? Things always get interesting on the dance floor, and lots of men end up wearing very little.”
My stomach constricted, feeling a bit out of my depth. “I’ll think about it.”
The rest of the week, my thoughts were a revolving door of how well Remy’s mouth fit around my cock, how we might be able to sneak somewhere to do it again, and going to my first gay bar, which felt like some rite of passage.
“What’s up with you?” Bailey asked in our room after dinner on Thursday. “You keep pacing like you’ve got nervous energy.”
“I’m going to that gay club, remember?” I checked myself in the mirror. “I can’t help feeling anxious.”
“Of course, I remember. I get the room to myself tonight.”
“Should I use a special knock or something?” I figured he might invite Danica over, though he was being coy about it, which was so unlike him. He usually had no game when it came to liking girls. Kinda like a golden retriever puppy.
He’d kill me if I pointed that out.
His cheeks flushed. “Text me first?”
I smirked. “Will do.”
His eyebrows drew together. “So, what’s making you nervous about tonight?”
Bailey might not really get it, but I tried to explain. “It’s a place where I can be myself, you know?” I thought about how to make a good enough analogy. “Of course, there are a ton of straight bars, and I’m cool being out at those, but this is different. This is people like me.”
“I think I understand…bet it’ll be awesome.” He smiled with a gleam in his eye. “You’ll have Jordan there with you, right?”
Not this again.
“Yeah, but it’s not what you think. We’re not…”
“But maybe you will in that environment?”
I shook my head.
“Or maybe you’ll meet someone else.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I mumbled, only to appease him.
“Are you gonna change?” he asked, glancing at my Franklin U track pants and tee.
I cringed. That was the other thing I was nervous about and afraid to admit. Gay culture was interesting in that regard. People went all out at clubs and pride parades, and while I enjoyed that aspect, I didn’t know if it was exactly me. But maybe I wouldn’t know until I tried it. It might actually feel liberating as hell.
“It’s costume night, and Jordan had the idea that we go as…swimmers.”
He blinked. “Letterman jackets too?”
“Yep…” I looked down at myself. “But if it gets hot on the dance floor…”
“No! Seriously?” He cracked up. “I can’t imagine you stripping down to your swim briefs!”
“Right, you can’t, so don’t make fun,” I replied in a warning tone. “People express their sexuality in different ways. And others are simply comfortable with that sort of thing in general—straight or gay. I don’t know what I’ll do yet.”
He held up his hands. “Okay, I get it. Just…be safe and have fun. We’ve gotta compete this weekend.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, Dad.”
“That’s a thing too, isn’t it?” he teased.
“That’s also a thing for straight people, so…”
He bit his lip, thinking on it. “So if I asked Danica if she wants a Daddy, she might say yes?”
We burst out laughing and didn’t stop until my stomach hurt. Maybe he couldn’t picture me stripping down to my swim briefs, but no way could I imagine him as anything other than vanilla.
I was vanilla too. Well, unless Remy was involved, and then I was shameless in my neediness. He made me feel seen in a way few others ever had…and now was a good time to abort that thought before I got myself in trouble.