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Zach was almost done getting ready to head out for the boys’ party on New Year’s Eve—he and Gavin had agreed it was better to host something than to leave them to their own frat-party-fueled-desires, and so Gavin bought out the Star Signs arcade for their own party—when his phone rang.

He swore, grabbing at the phone in his pocket, nearly dropping it as he tried to finish fixing his hair.

“Happy New Year,” Hayes drawled into his ear.

“It’s only just after nine here,” Zach said. He was running late. Gavin had already sent him two texts and Ramsey even more, wondering where he was.

“Yeah, well, welcome to the east coast,” Hayes said.

Wherever his friend was, it was quiet.

“You do something fun tonight?” Zach asked, though he had a feeling if Hayes was calling him at 12:04 AM, he hadn’t done anything fun.

“What do you think?” Hayes retorted.

Zach sighed, giving up on his hair and shoving a hat on. “I think you sound like you’re in a hotel room. ”

“Bingo,” Hayes said morosely. “I was at the party downstairs. Couple guys with rooms next to each other. Had some drinks, played some video games. It was . . .well, you can tell how much I enjoyed it.”

“Sounds like it wasn’t the party, but you , dude.”

Hayes made a dissatisfied noise.

“Let me give you Marcus’ number,” Zach said.

“You forget that he also doesn’t live in my zip code,” Hayes said.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t be against a little career advancement, not if it meant he got a chance with Hayes Montgomery.”

“Why would I want to drag someone else into this fucked up bullshit?” Hayes asked tiredly, and Zach was tempted to answer, but he had a feeling Hayes hadn’t really wanted an answer.

He’d tried that before, and while the guy had been a douchebag, Zach wasn’t entirely certain if his douchebaggery had been solely personality-based or because he’d gotten tired of Hayes being hung up on someone else.

Maybe Hayes had a point.

Zach grabbed his wallet and keys and let himself out of the apartment, jogging down the stairs. The arcade was only a few blocks away.

“Monty, I say this with love, but you gotta try to get over it,” he said gently.

Hayes sighed.

“Someday,” Hayes said, clearly making an effort to sound lighter. “You see your coach since Christmas and the epic cuddle session he didn’t want to have? ”

“It wasn’t—” Zach broke off. “He just fell asleep on me. It wasn’t anything.” But it had re-lit the hope inside him, even as he’d tried to extinguish it.

Maybe Gavin didn’t want to date again, but they were already practically dating, without all the physical benefits and Zach really wanted some physical benefits.

Even if that was just cuddling on the couch.

“Don’t downplay it, Zachy,” Hayes said sternly. “You’re allowed to be excited that you’re gonna get that happy ending.”

“That’s not a guarantee. He still freaked out.”

“But it happened . And it’s probably gonna keep happening. You seeing him tonight?”

“Yeah, we’re hosting the guys at the arcade. Trying to keep them out of trouble,” Zach said. It wasn’t like Gavin was going to kiss him at midnight, but they’d be in the same room, and that was more than he’d even known to hope for, before.

“You didn’t answer my question before. You seen him since Christmas?”

“Of course I have.”

“Not for practice. Or in his office. I mean not for work.”

Zach sighed. “No. But we still talk all the time. It’s for work but it’s . . .it’s more, too.”

Christmas and the last week—the clear affection in Gavin’s eyes, the way he was touching him more casually now—was making Zach believe that something might be happening, no matter how much Gavin denied it.

“Lean into it,” Hayes told him.

“But—” He didn’t want to push Gavin too hard. Make a move Gavin didn’t want him to make.

“You want him or not?” Hayes interrupted.

Zach couldn’t help his exasperated groan as he turned the corner, nearly to the arcade. “You know I do.”

“Then don’t let him deny you,” Hayes said.

This was the first time Hayes had ever suggested he push Gavin. Every other time, he’d warned Zach to be patient. To let Gavin set the pace.

“Why are you saying this now?”

“Because I’m thirty fucking years old and I’m in love with someone who doesn’t love me back, who other than the shit he’s required to say on ESPN, hasn’t even said my name in years. It’s so shitty, and I don’t want this for you, too.”

Zach squeezed his eyes shut, stopping in front of the door to the arcade. “Hayes.”

“Don’t,” Hayes said sharply. “Don’t fucking feel sorry for me, okay?”

Zach almost said that maybe Hayes was wrong; maybe Morgan did love him but even if he did, that wasn’t any better. Maybe it was even worse. Because Hayes was still alone.

“Okay,” Zach said softly.

“If I had to relive things, I’d . . .I think I’d do them differently,” Hayes said.

“That’s why I’m telling you to do this. You don’t want to end up like me, alone on New Year’s Eve and wondering what the fuck happened to your life.

What it might be like if you’d made different choices, taken a risk that you didn’t think would pay off, but might’ve. ”

“You could always reach out. He’s retired now,” Zach suggested .

Hayes’ laugh was sharp. Hard. “And look desperate and pathetic? Like I can’t take a hint? Fuck no.”

“But you want me to—”

“I want you to make a move, because you both want each other and it’s fucking stupid to just not ,” Hayes said.

“Alright, I’ll . . .I’d consider trying again, maybe a little more directly this time,” Zach said, heart beating a little faster at the thought of it.

“Good,” Hayes said. “Now go do it. Make it happen , Zachy.”

The front door to the arcade opened, and Ramsey stuck his head out, making a face. “There you are,” he said. “Where’ve you been?”

“I gotta go,” Zach told Hayes.

Hayes hummed and then added, right before Zach hung up. “Remember, you promised.”

Like he was going to forget that, anytime soon.

“Sorry,” Zach said to Ramsey as he followed him into the arcade, skirting past the sign that said it was rented out for a private party. “I was talking to a friend.”

“Montgomery, yeah?” Ramsey asked.

It was a miracle anyone ever kept anything from this guy.

Of course, it wasn’t exactly a state secret that he and Hayes were friends.

“Yeah,” Zach said, nodding.

“You’re not dating him—” Ramsey shook his head, before he could even finish his sentence. “Of course you’re not dating him.”

“Why the of course ?” Zach asked, even though he probably shouldn’t. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know what Ramsey had observed about him and Gavin that he deliberately wasn’t mentioning.

Ramsey shot him a look. “Because you’re fucking obsessed with our coach, dude.”

Right. Right. God, was it so obvious everyone knew?

“I mean . . .” Zach trailed off.

“Are you kidding me? You’re not in denial about this,” Ramsey said. “You two are like horny sharks circling each other.”

Zach’s jaw dropped. “We are not.” Even though he could see exactly why Ramsey might call them that.

“Two alpha dogs, who love working together, who can barely stop looking at each other? Oh yeah, you’re both sharks and you’re fucking hungry.” Ramsey nudged him with his shoulder. “Please tell me there’s some blood in the water, soon. ’Cause the sexual tension is thick , man.”

“That’s . . .that’s Elliott and Mal,” Zach argued, even though it was a fucking weak argument. Yeah, Elliott and Mal had their share of sexual tension, but after they’d gotten together it had calmed considerably.

They only looked like they wanted to eat each other alive maybe thirty-five percent of the time now.

Ramsey cocked his head. “Not the same.”

“Sure,” Zach said as Ramsey led him to the bar. He ordered a beer and tilted his head towards Ramsey, who nodded back. Zach added a second one to his tab.

Ramsey leaned against the bar after the bartender slid two bottles across the wood.

“Ell knew he wanted Mal, though he certainly didn’t want to, because Ell’s got an ego. On the other hand, Mal was in major denial mode.” Ramsey tapped his fingers against the bar, off-rhythm with the music playing. “You and Coach are different.”

“We shouldn’t be talking about this,” Zach said sternly. Especially not here.

“Oh, I know. He’s my coach, etcetera etcetera.” Ramsey absently waved a hand, like this wasn’t a big deal. Like he was used to getting chastised for saying more than he should. And well , he probably was.

Zach rolled his eyes. “Yeah, we’re both your coaches, asshole.”

“Hey, if you need a push in the right direction, I’m still gonna do it.” Ramsey paused. “ Do you need a push in the right direction?”

“Isn’t that something you’re supposed to be telling me?” Zach muttered.

Ramsey grinned. “Okay, let me rephrase. This is me pushing you in the right direction.”

“A common theme tonight,” Zach said morosely.

“Well, I’m glad I’m not the only one,” Ramsey said. He nudged Zach. “He’s over by the pinball machines, probably trying to stay between Elliott and Mal so they don’t run off and fuck in the bathroom.”

Zach sighed. “Remember when McCoy was the responsible one who never took a step out of line?”

“I do. And it was a damn shame,” Ramsey said.

Zach wanted to argue with him, but he could see Ramsey’s point, too. That Malcolm had been penned in by his own expectations, by his own rules, and maybe he was a little wilder now, but he was also freer. Happier .

“Yeah.”

Ramsey shot him a knowing look. “What are you waiting for, dude? Go distract him from his task. Everyone’ll be happier. You. Coach. Definitely Elliott and Malcolm.”

If he wandered in that direction—and that was a big if, still—would Ramsey take that as silent approval of everything he’d said? Of course, Zach had always intended to find Gavin, at one point or another tonight. They always circled each other, and he knew New Years Eve wouldn’t be any different.

Like two horny sharks , Ramsey’s voice supplied in Zach’s own head.

It wasn’t like Hayes had been particularly subtle, but Ramsey had been even less subtle. Which tracked, really.