Page 62 of No Pucks

I might not ever admit it out loud, but I like this better than being fucked into the mattress. Nothing else matters than where we’re connected, the way he makes me feel and how I’m making him feel.

“You feel so good.”

“Not as good as you.”

And he’s kissing me again. Deeper. Exposing and leaving me bare.

I don’t fight it this time.

We build slowly, but the intensity never falters, finally peaking in a cataclysmic sort of way.

We stay there a long time after, breathing together between small kisses until I shiver.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” He steps back, lacing his fingers through mine.

I’m too tired to deny him anything.

We’re half way to the bathroom when he pauses.

“Is that your phone?”

“Hmm?”

He cocks his head, listening. “I think it is.”

I shrug looking around for it while he goes to the bathroom. “It’s fine. It will stop in a minute.”

I give up when he returns with a washcloth. He takes his time wiping me down. He’s so soft and gentle. He presses a kiss to the base of my throat before cleaning himself up.

My phone is still going, and Anthony finally locates my pants, fishing it out of my pocket. I take it, feeling more drunk than the alcohol I drank should make me. I have a dozen missed calls.

“It’s my brother.” I sober some.

“Do you need to call him back?”

“Maybe.” I open my texts, and ice runs through my veins.

Evander: Dad is cheating again.

NINETEEN

ANTHONY

“Ineed to go.” He’s cold again.

“What happened?” I reach out to touch him, but he pulls away.

“Nothing.” He won’t even look at me. I’ve never seen someone take such a hard one-eighty.

“It’s not nothing. You completely changed.”

He’s never like this. He’s so upbeat all the time. To see him completely deflate in front of my eyes destroys me.

“Only a dose of reality.”

“If you think I’m buying that crap—” I cut myself off, rethinking what I’m trying to say. “If you’re going to keep pursuing this, us, you don’t get to be a block of ice with me when something bad happens. Talk to me.”

“I need to get back to my room so we aren’t found out.” He pulls away, but I tighten my grip.