Page 52 of Hard Check

"LikeIcouldcry.Orlaugh.Orclimboutofmyskin."

"Yeah,"hesaid. "Exactlylikethat."

When release finally came, Carver swallowed my gasp with a kiss, his hand never faltering in its steady motion. He came moments later, face buried against my shoulder, a string of half-formed words vibrating against my skin.

After, we sprawled out in tangled motel sheets, breathing like we'd run sprints, Carver reached over and wove his fingers through mine.

We were silent for a few minutes, and then he cleared his throat. "If Coach asks how our mentorship session went…"

"I'lltellhimwecoveredcoredevelopment."

Carverchuckled. "You'regettingcocky."

"Notyet, butI'mgettingthere."

When the first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the motel blinds, I lay flat on my back, staring at the ceiling. My heart hammered with every nerve on edge.

Becauseeverything—andImeaneverything—itched.

Myskinfelttightandstickyinthathorriblepost-sweat,post-sex,maybe-post-apocalyptickindofway.Ihadn'tshowered after.Whyhadn'tIshowered? I always did when I had sex with women.

Domenshowerrightafter?WasthatathingIwassupposedtodo?

Carver didn't shower. He fell asleep within minutes.

Fuck.

Isthishowyougetcrabs?Dopeopleevenstillgetcrabs?

I tried to shift under the covers without scratching, which was as successful as it sounded. I groaned. Nope. Nope, nope, nope.

Then, from beside me.

"Jesus Christ, Pike."

Carver'svoicewas loud, likeaslap shottotheforehead.Iflinched.

He rolled out of bed. "What the fuck is wrong? I thought you wake up with a sunshine smile on your face."

I clutched the sheet tighter, still trying to squirm subtly. "Do you… do you feel itchy?"

"What?"

"Ijustwokeup, andit'slike…mywhole—downthere—areais…itchy."Iwinced.

Therewasabeatofsilence between us.

Carter snorted, and then he exploded. Likefull-on,bent-over,wheezinglaughter.

"Are you—fuck—are you asking me if sex is contagious?"

"No, but the itch—"

"What the fuck, Pike? You never jacked off to fall asleep and woke up the next morning scratching like a motherfucker?"

Iblinked. "I always clean—that's a thing?"

"It'sdriedjizz,man.Welcometomanhood. Your royal highness has encountered the terrible affliction of crusty balls."

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