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Lennon

T hree weeks ago at this time, I was sprawled on Luke’s bed with his head between my legs making me see stars. Now, I’m three drinks deep at a party with my teammates, wishing I was still in that bed with him. And if Grace hadn’t asked me to come with her tonight, I probably would be.

Even though he was a complete asshole at our game last Friday. I know what he’s saying is true, and we need to separate what we are outside the rink and what we are inside, but it didn’t make it easier to swallow to see him so dismissive of me. It reminded me of how he was when I first met him, and I didn’t really like that version of Luke. I want the Luke I see in his apartment, relaxed and playing cards with me until we find ourselves in the bedroom for the rest of the night.

Since the game that night, and pretty much since the semester has started, we’ve only been able to see each other at practice or our workouts and have kept things as professional as either of us are capable of. With everyone back from break, there’s been no more following me into the shower or sleepovers at his place since Grace hasn’t been staying over at Bryant’s house. I guess one of his roommates got the flu, so they’ve been trying to be careful.

But that just means that I haven’t been able to sneak over to Luke’s without the possibility of raising suspicion. I don’t want to lie to Grace if she were to ask where I’m staying, and she wouldn’t buy the excuse that I’m staying over at my parents more than a couple of times without starting to ask questions.

So it’s fairly safe to say that both Luke and I have been a little…frustrated lately.

I stare at his text he sent me a couple hours ago when I told him I was going to a party tonight instead of trying to sneak over to see him.

Me: Grace ended up asking me to come with her tonight and I don’t really think I can bail since I don’t work tomorrow morning and can use that as an excuse.

64: Guess it’s just me and my hand tonight then. Have fun. Don’t drink too much or I’ll kick your ass tomorrow

I’m glad he wasn’t upset that I canceled on him, but part of me wanted him to be a little annoyed that we weren’t going to get to spend the night together. Grace had mentioned it was one of the guys on the hockey team’s birthday this weekend and that there was going to be a party. It sounded to me like she was going to go with Bryant and I’d be in the clear with everyone else distracted, but then earlier she asked if I’d come with them.

We made a promise before winter break that we’d enjoy our final semester together, and I just couldn’t say no.

“It’s your turn!” Grace taps me on the shoulder, and I quickly turn my phone off to tuck it away. She hands me a sticky ping- pong ball, and I lob it across the table. It bounces off one of the cups laid out and rolls onto the ground.

“I hate this stupid game,” I grumble and take another sip of my mixed drink. The back of my teeth feel fuzzy from all the sugar, but I don’t care. It’s delicious.

“You’re only calling it stupid ‘cause you suck,” Bryant chides from across the table. Grace hides her laugh behind her beer, and I shoot her a scolding look.

“Don’t betray me like that! Your boyfriend is whooping our ass already. Can’t you go distract him or something so we don’t lose for the second game in a row?”

“Babe, can’t you let us win just once?” she pleads.

“No can do, hon, sorry. Losing’s not in my DNA.”

I roll my eyes, and Grace takes her shot, also missing.

Bryant sinks two cups in a row, and that ends it for us. “Alright,” I say, wiping my mouth after chugging the last of my drink. “I’m done with this game. Someone else can take my spot.”

“No, you can’t.” Grace grabs my arm. “Just one more.”

“I see you still suck at beer pong,” a familiar voice says to my left, and I whip my head around. The fast movement makes me stumble slightly, but Mason catches my elbow. “You good?”

“Yes,” I say and blink quickly, trying to clear my vision. “Thank you. And also to answer your question, nope, still suck at it.”

He laughs easily and brushes his black hair back from his face. “Glad I’m not suffering as your partner anymore like poor Grace here.” He holds a hand over his heart in mock sympathy. “My condolences.”

She bows her head in acknowledgment, and I flip both of them off. Bryant comes over to our side of the table and takes over for me with Grace against Austen and Aubrey.

“Want another drink?” Mason asks and nods toward my empty cup. I shouldn’t, but I’ve been doing a lot of things I shouldn’t be doing lately.

“Why not,” I say and follow him to the kitchen. “How have you been? Semester going good for you?”

“It’s been fine. Classes suck, but what’s new.” He shrugs and pours me a drink. “Season kinda sucks, too. Looks like it’ll be on you guys to win a title this year.”

He hands me a cup and I thank him. “Sorry about the team. That’s a hard way to go out for your last year.” The boys’ team has a losing record, and it’s not even looking like they’ll make the tournament this year.

Mason brushes it off as he seemingly does with everything else in his life. “Whatever. How about you, how have you been? Made time for anyone new in your life?”

“Why, are you asking for yourself to see if I’ve opened up any availability?”

“You always were smarter than me.” We laugh and it feels nice to still be in a good place with him even after we’ve broken up. “No, I know that ship has sailed. Just asking as a friend.”

I lean against the counter, needing something to help support my weight as the room tilts slightly. “Well, I appreciate that. But you know me, still busy as usual.” It’s not a lie but not the full truth either. The truth that I’ll never be able to tell him, or anyone. “What about you? Found anyone new to spend some time with?”

A lazy grin crosses his face. “Don’t get jealous now, Lennon. You’re the one who let all this go.”

“Shut up,” I laugh. “Now tell me, who’s the lucky lady? Or ladies should I say?”

Mason and I catch up for what feels like only a few minutes, but when I excuse myself to go to the bathroom, the party has died down significantly, and we must’ve been in the kitchen for a lot longer than I thought. The room spins as I shut the door and pull my phone out of my pocket before sitting down to pee.

Me: What are you doing?

His response is immediate, almost as if he’s been watching out for me to text him tonight.

64: Watching footage of Remington’s last game

Me: Booooo working on a Friday night that’s boring

64: You want to win and I’m trying to make sure it happens

My heart skips a beat at that, and I sigh contentedly.

64: What are you doing? Still out?

Me: Well currently I’m peeing but yes I’m still out. Was talking with Mason for a while and lost track of time so going to find Grace after this and see if she’s ready to go

64: Mason’s there huh?

Me: Are you jealous?

64: Of a 21 year old boy? I shouldn’t be

64: Just when I thought I had already hit rock bottom in my life

I chuckle and wash my hands before hopping up on the counter. I meant it when I said I should go find Grace, but I want to talk to Luke for just a little bit longer.

Me: You have nothing to be jealous of trust me

64: I do and that’s exactly why I’m not driving over there right now to get you. Is the rest of the team still out too?

Me: I don’t know probably. These usually last until early in the morning

64: Partying like that during the season? Especially as we’re nearing the playoffs? You’re all gonna earn some extra conditioning on Monday

Me: Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it? Are you going to punish me for it…

64: Baby you don’t even know the half of it

My core clenches, and I shift on the counter. Squeezing my thighs together does nothing as I text him back.

Me: Mmm I like the sound of that. Tell me more

64: I seem to remember how you squeezed the hell out of my cock when I slapped your ass last time I fucked you so maybe I’ll take you over my knee and do it properly this time. One slap for each drink you had tonight when you should be in game mode? Does that sound fair to you?

It sounds more than fair to me. It sounds absolutely fucking hot, and I want it right now.

Me: That sounds fair

64: And then when I’m done, I think I’d put you on your knees in front of me and make sure you’ve fully learned your lesson as I shove myself down your throat. And only then if I think you’ve earned it and if you’ve begged enough, I’d spread you out on my bed and finally fill that pussy of yours. How does that sound?

Me: Fuck yes. I can’t wait to get home tonight when I can be alone and read this back again. I can’t sit like this anymore

64: Don’t you dare. You’re going to listen to what I’m telling you and you’re not going to touch yourself. You’re going to crawl into your bed tonight wishing you would’ve come over to my place instead and you’re going to sit with that ache between your legs as a reminder. I’ll take care of it on my time not on yours. Understood?

Holy shit. I don’t know if I can, but for Luke, I’ll try because I know he’ll make it worth it.

Me: Understood, Coach.

64: Christ I want to come pick you up right now and bring you here, bend you over, and hear you scream that all night long

Me: Why don’t you?

64: Because you should be out enjoying a night with your friends. It’s your last semester of college and you need to enjoy it. Text me when you get home?

Me: I will

64: And remember what I told you

Me: Yes, Coach ;)