Page 14 of Golden

I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. How is it possible that other people would know something about me before I do? Surely, I would know if I found men attractive, right? Like, I wouldknow. I think back over times I’ve admired the curve of a guy’s shoulders, or the fit of his jeans. Is that the same as checking out the way a sweater hugs a woman’s chest? I think of the way I wanted to breathe Wes in; the way his broad presence sent tickles of electric through my body.

“Fuck,” I breathe, opening my eyes and looking at my friends. “Am I bi?”

Zak chuckles. “I’m so glad I was here to witness this.”

“You’re so fucking helpful.” I glare at him. “Thank you.”

He grins. “There’s one way you can find out for sure.”

I stare at him, waiting.

“Go kiss a guy.”

“What the hell?” I sit up, my heart racing. “I can’t just go kiss a guy!”

“Sure, you can,” Alex says. “You’d ‘just go kiss’ a girl. You’re a catch, golden boy. You’ll have no problems.”

I sink back against my seat with an exhale. “Fuck.”

“Sorry,” Alex mutters.

My thoughts are so loud, I excuse myself and head to my room. The perk of being vice president of the Wolves, is I get one of the two rooms on the top floor. It’s three times the size of the standard rooms and has its own bathroom. Those creature comforts do nothing to ease my mind.

Flopping down on my bed, I stare at my ceiling as though it might have all the answers. I know I don’t have to go and kiss a guy. I don’t even have to pursue this. Things are fine the way they are. What gets me the most is that Alex and Zak weren’t even slightly surprised at the thought I might be into guys. I wonder who asked Alex about me. The thought sends a small thrill through my stomach. There’s a guy on campus who’s interested enough to ask my friend about me.

An alert sounds on my phone from the Franklin West intranet, jolting me from my thoughts. I only have alerts set up for sport related posts, so I reach for it and swipe.

Franklin West Wolves Swim Meet 4 p.m. today.

Come down and support the team!

Go Wolves!

My heart skips as I recall the conversation Wes and I had in the locker room a week ago. It’s the swim meet he talked about. I close my eyes and suck in a breath. It’s like the universe is shoving Wes Bowers down my throat.

Every time I’ve been to the gym since I bumped into him, I’ve wondered if he’ll be there. He never is. That time must have been a fluke, which is a good thing. I’ve never been so distracted at the gym before. I had to cut my session short because I couldn’t concentrate.

My stomach drops.Shit. That’s what Zak’s talking about. Another guy at the gym shouldn’t be distracting. I shouldn’t have been missing reps because I was eyeing the way his biceps flexed or the way his thighs strained. I’m a fucking idiot.

I groan and drop my head back against the wall. The way my pulse had sped when he’d lifted his shirt, giving me a glimpse at dark, gleaming abs that looked hard as rock . . . My dick perks up at the thought and I stare down at it in disbelief. My friends, my body, all seem to know something before my brain. How is that even possible?

Four o’clock. The meet is an hour from now. I can go watch Wes swim, right? I said I would, so it would be rude if I didn’t. And I think I can admit that I’m more than a bit curious. He must be good if he’s on the team, but how good is he? Does he wear those tiny Speedos swimmers wear?Fuck. That’s not supposed to excite a straight guy. I pull my hand over my face with another groan.

A knock sounds on my door and before I can respond, Zak’s curly head pops around the corner.

“Hey, man. You okay?”

I open my mouth to respond, then close it, shaking my head. We’re practically brothers, and I can’t lie to him.

He walks over and climbs onto my bed, dropping down next to me. “You freaking out?”

I nod.

“You really had no idea?”

“Seriously?” I turn and look at him. “What I don’t understand is how it seems everyone else in the fucking world did. Do I give off a vibe?”

Zak chuckles. “No. I don’t think so. But it doesn’t need to be a big deal.”

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