Page 86 of Misconduct Zone

I make a mental note to talk to him later about being demisexual or leaning that way.

“Your person is out there, and there’s nothing wrong with waiting. I waited and look how great it turned out for me.” Trevor leans over, and Patrik pulls him into his lap.

I love how normal it is for them to show affection. They don’t hide their love. Lars and I don’t have to either.

“Finding the right person is definitely worth it.” Shane leans into Cole.

Lars takes my hand and links our fingers, and the simple gesture speeds up my heart rate. For a man who was averse to physical affection, he loves touching me.

After dinner, Caleb tries to commandeer the sound system, but we settle on one of my playlists. I selected the songs for maximum fun with some needed dance breaks.

“Snug, move the coffee table, please. These menaces are going to be trouble tonight with no game tomorrow,” Trevor says, trying to sound stern, but his grin gives him away.

“Enjoy the time off now bitches cuz we gotta play New Year’s Eve this year,” Caleb sings.

In silent agreement, Caleb and I stand back-to-back and twerk in time to the music. I’ve got my eyes on Lars, figuring out how to get him to dance with me. He’ll need to watch for a while before the music gets him moving.

Jamal’s head is bopping in time with the beat, needing an invitation I’m happy to provide. Grabbing his hand, I spin him in a pirouette between Caleb and me. He shimmies out from what was about to be full-body contact.

“I’m not your jelly.” Jamal snaps his fingers.

“Be our jelly roll.” Caleb shimmies in a circle around him.

Jamal perfectly times a body roll with the music, and I wolf-whistle and slap Caleb on the back.

“Rookie’s got moooves.” Caleb mimics his motion, and the team joins in, whistling and clapping.

“Watch it with the rookie shit, Baby Benz, or I’ll show you what rhythm actually looks like.” Jamal drags a finger from Caleb’s lips down to the middle of his chest and shoves him.

“And he’s got bite,” I say, catching Caleb when he pretends to fall from the shove.

A few guys stand in a wide semi-circle, almost ready to join in. The three of us dance for the entire song, and I’m loving Lars’s eyes on me.

Chapter 42

Lars

“I’m out.” Dylon sidesteps Caleb’s grabby hands and picks his drink up off the end table. I’m glaring at Caleb for unnecessarily fondling my man when I hear Dylon choke and spray his drink all over Trevor’s new area rug. His wild eyes meet mine, and I vault over the couch.

“What happened? Are you okay?” I’m shaking his shoulders, and he looks like he’s going to be sick.

“I’m so sorry.” His gorgeous hazel eyes fill with tears.

“It’s fine.” Patrik hands Trevor a towel to soak up the liquid from the rug.

“Oh, fuck. It was mine. I set it down, and I shouldn’t have. Fuck.” Caleb’s in a catcher’s stance with his hands tearing at his hair. “Lucky, it’s my fault.”

The realization of what happened hits me, and I’m too slow to comfort Dylon. He wrenches out of my grip and bolts for the guest bathroom. We can hear him throwing up.

“They won’t make him start his days again, will they? I mean, it was a mistake. I’ll take full responsibility.” Caleb’s flushed and panicking, he left his mixed drink on the same table as Dylon’s nonalcoholic drink.

I feel terrible for Caleb, but Dylon has the bathroom door locked and I cannot get to him. “Min kärlek, open the door.” He does not respond. “Please let me help you.”

The lock clicks, and he’s wedged on the floor between the toilet and the wall with his phone in his hand. “I’m calling my sponsor.”

“I’m proud of you,” I say, sitting in front of him with my back against the door.

“I swallowed some,” he barks. “I tasted it, and some of it made it down my throat. You should be furious with me because I wanted to drink the whole damn glass. I realized my mistake and…” He bangs his fist on the wall.