Page 53 of Lucky Sucker

He nodded along to what he was saying. “You know, you make a great point. I do get a lot of drag when I try and fly forward into defense. But I’ll stick to the coach’s plays. It’s what he’s paid for, right.”

“It’s a good point though, you do get distracted and outpaced by some of the smaller players,” I added. “But we’ve got plenty of defensemen like that. I think you’re well-suited to being our tank.”

Wren nodded. “I just think it’s—it’s wild that last year I was just sat watching those games and thinking about what I’d ever say if I ever got to meet you. I mean, it’s like your campus famous.”

Technically, we were, people loved our team. The only other famous team on campus were the Caracals, and they were famous for all the wrong reasons right now. I hadn’t read the article, but I’d heard about their loss, and they were clearly going through crisis after losing their strongest players last year when they graduated. Two-thirds of them got drafted into the pros. That was the dream.

I accompanied Wren upstairs to my room where he expressed regret in telling Liam his thoughts.

“It’s almost like an out of body experience,” he said in a soft voice. “Like, I know I’m not supposed to give these people all the advice and stuff, but I just cannot help myself. It happens and I’m like—bleurgh. Word salad.”

The only thing I could do after that moment was to pull him into a deep hug and force his head against my chest. It wasn’t the first time he’d said something to another player about their playstyle or how they could improve. Most of the time, he had great ideas, but ever since seeing him flop to his knees on the ice, I didn’t know if his thoughts could be trusted on it, but his heart was in the right place.

As I helped him back his teddies into his bag, I noticed a bumble bee and I was reminded of a small nearby town. “Hey,” I said. “I had an idea.”

“A good idea or a bad idea?” he asked.

“Good, of course.”

“Ok, ok, well, what is it?”

“There’s this place nearby, and maybe during break we could go spend a couple nights together there,” I said. “Pineberry Falls. It’s got this lake, and they have some of the cutest little collectibles. Your bee reminded me. There’s like an entire store dedicated to bee memorabilia and honey. I—I think it would be nice, if you have the time.”

He nodded, looking down at my hand with the bee plush. “That sounds fun, but I only want to go if I don’t have any deadlines or anything. I don’t want to be distracted.”

“Funny you mention distractions,” I said, grabbing him and pulling him into my arms. His legs around my waist. “Because some of the guys think you could be a distraction for me.”

“The opposite is true,” he said, kissing me on the lips quickly. “You’re a distraction. A big one.”

“As Daddy, I command you not to be distracted by me.”

“Mhmm, nope! It doesn’t work like that. In fact, now I’m even more distracted.”

I kissed him back just as quick. “This week I’ve got group practice on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and gym sessions every day except Friday. So, I hope that doesn’t interfere with seeing you in the week.”

Hugging my chest, he stayed there with his ear listening to my heartbeat. “I’ve got a lot of reading to do, and some creative writing to work on. And I need to check my standing in the fantasy league. I know I got points for you.”

Gently stroking his back and patting a hand down him, I was already going to miss him next week when we were both busy. “Good,” I said. “Next Saturday, I’ll make sure we’re sharing a hotel room. And I’ll make sure they have good breakfast options.”

He smacked his lips. “Can we just stay here for a moment longer?”

“Sure, baby.”

I walked around the bedroom with his legs wrapped around my waist. I didn’t want to let go of him, I didn’t want to part. Wren completed me. Of all the pieces of myself I’d put together, Wren was one of them, and he fit so well. I just wanted to exist in this moment alone with him for a moment longer.

23. WREN

It was an amazing night, I didn’t know if there would ever come a day that would top it. He held me and played, he was learning a lot, and I wasn’t going to full into little space with him because that would’ve involved me, a large multi-pack of thick nib coloring pens, and as much of his skin as he’d allow me to color in while I slurped down juice boxes, watched anime, and forgot everything happening in the world.

Once I was home, I channeled all of myself into being creative. I knew nobody would see it, and this wasn’t being marked, but the creative muscles were begging to be flexed after what I’d seen last night, and maybe it was because they’d just won the game, but Liam had seemed a little flirty with some of the other players. I was not a good judge of human interaction though, which made sense, as I could never tell if someone hated me or wanted to fuck me. They both felt the same. You know, that heightened state of awareness like eyes on you, the prickle up the back of your neck, the intense want to vomit. Yeah, all those things could’ve been good or bad.

All my roommates were either in bed or out, which meant I was able to use the washing machine to put my clothes in. Especially the onesie I’d covered in cum, and upon further inspection, there was also some of the lube on it too, making it crunchy almost.

The world was just lighter now. I was dancing on the balls of my feet, and not because I didn’t want the floorboards to creek, but because I was happy.

Throughout the day, Luke messaged me. We were both trying not to be distractions to each other. His job much more important than mine as the team reporter.

—I think I should incentivize you.I messaged him on a particularly flirty feeling.

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