Page 11 of Icing the Play

Sure. That works. How about six? Want to meet there?

If the date failed, I wouldn’t have to go home with him. I looked around me at the students shuffling between classes, some on skateboards and others on scooters. As I lifted my face to the sunshine, I let it warm my cheeks and forehead. My phone buzzed, and I gazed into the screen.

JJ

Perfect. It’s a date

“Okay then.” I stuffed my phone into my pocket and hurried to class.

After all my classes,I parked my black Honda Civic next to Ace’s truck in the garage, grabbed my backpack from the passenger seat, and climbed out. I’d traded in my truck lastsummer for something smaller and sporty. Ace’s truck was here, so he and probably Zoma were home.

I ambled into the kitchen from the garage and set my pack on the floor next to the kitchen island. “Hey.”

Ace sat at the dinette, stuffing a sandwich into his mouth. “How are things? Like, how’s Sutton getting along?” He set his sandwich on a plate and wiped his hands on a paper towel.

“He’s coming along.” I snatched a protein drink from the refrigerator and strolled to the table, then dropped into a chair beside him. Raising the corner of my mouth, I said, “Don’t worry, he’s still not as good as you. Neuman scored on him a few times this morning.”

“Ah…Neuman.” With a grin, he picked up his sandwich and took a bite. “They’re pairing you up with him this year, I assume?”

“They are.” I twisted the cap off my drink and sipped it, the silky chocolate flavor gliding down my throat. They were tasty, but I should find a new flavor before I got sick of them. “How’s camp?”

A wide smile spread over his lips. “Just like old times. I’m chirping on Mason every chance I get. With him playing beside Jett Jarvisandfucking him, his head has swollen to twice its size.”

With a head shake, I chuckled. How cool would it be to get a Coyote contract and play with them? But it wouldn’t last. Someone would be traded eventually. I fingered my protein drink. “You know, Ace, everyone misses you guys.” My gaze found his. “Even Neuman mentioned it today.”

“Yeah, we were a force, weren’t we?” He sipped Gatorade from a bottle sitting next to his plate and then patted my shoulder. “So, tell me about the football players. I heard from Zoma you met up with them the other night.”

Oh yeah, I’d mentioned it to Zoma in passing. “The guy I met in class last year is Jordan Matthews, but the guys call him JJ. He’s a first-string wide receiver.” I narrowed my eyes. Should Itell him about the date? Hell yeah. “I have a date with him tomorrow night.”

“Fucking hell, you do?” With an open-mouthed smile, he slapped my shoulder. “What’s this guy like?” He ate more of his sandwich.

After sipping my drink, I said, “He’s a cool dude. He’s not into the gay bar scene, and I don’t know why. He lives in a house with some other queer football players?—”

“Like the squad?” His brows snapped up, and he licked mustard off a finger.

“Yeah, like the squad. They call themselves Desert Dogs or something. I don’t know, eh.” With a short laugh, I shook my head. I had yet to meet them all.Cooper… “And an old friend of mine from high school is on the team. He hangs out with JJ, too.”

“Old friend from high school?” Ace eyed me. “Is he queer?”

“No. He always had girlfriends and shit.” I skimmed my fingers up and down the carton of my drink. Time to come clean with Ace. “I had a crush on him in high school.”

“You did?” He scratched his cheek and leaned in. “Do you still have a crush on him?” He raised his brows.

Staring at my drink, I said, “I…” My cheeks heated. “Yeah.” Nodding, I let a smile tug at my lips. “I had beer and pizza with them last night and I couldn’t keep my eyes off Coop.” Holy hell, why was I spilling my guts like this? Because it was Ace. He’d know what to say. I crept my gaze to his.

He sat back in his chair, looking me over. “So, you have a date with JJ, but you have feelings for Cooper, and they’re not only friends, but on the football team together.” He tapped his chin. “What position does Cooper play?”

“Tight end.” I rolled my lips. Where was Ace going with this? Cooper was straight. I wasn’t lucky enough to have astraightguy fall for me like Tyler was.

His eyes widened. “Both these guys are first string? They’re both on the same offensive line?”

I hadn’t considered that. “Yeah, guess so.” I furrowed my brows. “So?”

“So…?” He lunged toward me, planting his forearms on the table around his plate. “What if Cooper is hanging out with JJ because he isn’t straight? What if you have a chance with your old crush?” He fixated on me. “What if you cause friction between them when you date JJ but have your heart set on Cooper?”

I scoffed a laugh. “Come on, Ace. Won’t happen. Coop is the one who set me up with JJ.” An ache floated through my chest. “He told me JJ liked me last year, but didn’t think I liked him back.”

“He did?” Ace arched a brow, settled into his chair, and rubbed his chin. “Hmmm.” He pressed his lips together. “Well, I guess we’ll see then.” He ate the last bite of his sandwich. “I want to meet these guys.”

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