Page 100 of Play Maker

“Jace, seriously, what’s up?” Dane asked me again as we stood alone. “I’m worried.”

First Kayden, now Dane.

“It’s nothing about my health, mental or otherwise, I promise. It’s…it’s a guy.”

Fuck, that was a relief to say, and yet, frightening as fuck.

“Whoa, you mean, more than fucking?”

I nodded. “And the fucking is off the charts.”

“Oh my God, is that why you’ve had that spaced out look on your face for weeks?”

I shoved his shoulder. “Stop.”

“Who is it?”

“I can’t say,” I replied, and Dane’s face fell. “He’s not out, D. You know how it is.”

“Shit, now I’m really worried.”

“It’s okay,Dad, I’m a big boy,” I reassured my friend. “I know what I’m doing.”

“You swore off relationships.”

“I did, but?—”

“This guy’s special?”

I was suddenly too choked up to speak, so I nodded instead.

“You’ve always moved too fast to be caught,” he mused. “But it sounds like you’ve met your match. That’s heady stuff.”

“It is,” I admitted. “Only, he’s never been with a guy before. Maybe it’s just new and exciting for him now. But fucking around isn’t the same thing as being out. I’m waiting for him to wake up and realize this isn’t what he wants. Or, maybe the fucking is all he wants.”

“And you want more?”

“I want him. Only him.”

Dane whistled.

“Never thought I’d see this day.”

“You and me both.”

“Have you told him how you feel?”

I shrugged. “Sort of? We’re not seeing anyone else. But it’s complicated.”

“Because he’s not out? Or for another reason?”

I’d already said too much.

Dane’s eyes narrowed. “It’s someone I know, isn’t it?”

There was nothing I could do to stop the blush from creeping up my cheeks.

Ping.

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