Page 17 of 12 Gays of Christmas

I’ve gotten knocked down a few times today. One Nebraska player got a really good hit on me that winded me. Made it hard to catch my breath. And now, another good hit. Like my breath is caught in my chest. Colin told Remi about my list. His enemy. He just gave him that information like it was nothing. My stomach lurches, and I focus on not throwing up. I don’t want to give Remi the satisfaction. Instead, I storm out the door.

What is his relationship with my roomie? There’s something I’m missing. They say they’re enemies, but Remi went to the game with him, stood up for him, and volunteered to take him home.

But I’m not letting that happen. I’ll be the one taking care of Colin.

Colin grins at me when I get back to the table. “There you are. Did you get lost?” And then he laughs like it’s the funniest thing ever. This guy is too adorable.

“I’m having a Christmas party on the twenty-third,” Roxy says, standing to make her announcement. “And you’re all invited.”

“Since when?” Steph asks, his brows furrowed as if he’s trying to remember. Then his face clears and he shrugs, giving Roxy a kiss on the cheek. “Whatever you want, babe.”

Colin sighs. “That’s what I want. A sweet guy willing to do whatever I want.”

Everyone discusses the party, but I only have eyes for Colin. His face is bright, freckles standing out on his skin. His hair is tousled. He’s so gorgeous. And close enough to touch. I’m feeling brave. Or desperate. I brush my pinky against the side of Colin’s hand. That brief touch of skin is more exciting than anything that happened with Wickett.

Colin turns and smiles. “Hey.”

“You okay?” I ask, linking our pinkies together.

His grin widens. “Fantastic.”

“You might not feel that way tomorrow.”

“That’s a problem for future Colin. Present Colin is having a blast.”

Mauve interrupts us with shots. “From the table over there.”

I try to grab Colin’s, but it turns out that present Colin is a ninja. He downs his shot and mine.

“Want to see me dance on the table?” he asks, and a bunch of people cheer.

“Nope,” I say, grabbing him around the waist before he can get on the table. “Not happening.”

Remi and I manage to get Colin in my car. Colin is a handsy drunk, and I’m trying to keep the car on the road when he decides tickling me is a good idea. I’m very ticklish, but Colin’s aim is off. I’m not sure if that is intentional or not. I grab his hand and hold it. “My dick isn’t ticklish.”

“Are you sure? We should test that theory.”

“Not while I’m driving.” I manage to get both of his hands in one of mine, and that’s the only reason we don’t end up wrapped around a tree.

Remi is waiting for us and raises an eyebrow at me. I shake my head. I'm not explaining why I’m still holding Colin’s hands in mine. I distract Colin on the elevator by asking how many drinks he had.

“A zillion.” He frees a hand and traces my jaw with his fingers. “So stupidly hot,” he says with a sigh. Remi snorts. I try to ignore them both.

We finally get Colin upstairs and into the apartment. Remi smirks at the chalkboard and I give him the finger.

Once Remi leaves, I carry Colin to his bed. I ignore my body and my heart because both are on Team Colin, and I can’t afford that kind of thinking.

He tries to get me to lie beside him. “No tickling. I promise.” But then he giggles. Dear lord.

“I’ll see you in the morning, sweetheart,” I say, kissing his forehead.

He closes his eyes, a smile on his face like he has a secret. Then he’s asleep, which means I need to walk away, but I don’t. His face is unguarded in sleep. Creamy skin. Freckles. Dark lashes. Kissable lips. I shake myself. Crushing on my roomie will not end well for me. I pull the blanket over him and leave the room, closing the door quietly.

During my shower, I argue with my dick about whether jerking off to thoughts of drunk and handsy Colin is wrong. I let my dick win this round. After the letdown with Wickett, it seems only fair.

As I settle into bed, I think about Colin. I’ve never seen him let go like that. It was charming and sweet. His rambling. His smiles make me wish for things I can’t have. But hungover Colin will be grumpy and possibly angry about everything that happened or he imagines happened. I’m not sure he’ll remember most of it. Will he remember the touching? Telling me how stupidly hot I am? Probably not. Hopefully not. I don’t want Colin to be angry with me. And because of that one stupid part of me that likes angry, passionate Colin, I’ll be sporting an erection when I need to be a supportive roommate.

DAY FIVE: SUNDAY AND THE SWIMMER

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