Page 6

"I can't believe this will all be over tomorrow." Cloyce sighs out the words, sagging into my shoulder.

It's dusk, and the three of us are sitting on a blanket by the lake, waiting for the Fourth of July fireworks to start.

I wrap my arm around his shoulder and try to comfort him with some good news. "We have a short training camp, and then we're free for six whole weeks."

"That's right," Draper says. "And we can go anywhere and do anything we like."

Cloyce sighs again. "If being with one NHL pro hockey boyfriend was tough, I dread to think what it's going to be like with two."

I meet Draper's frown over the top of Cloyce's ginger curls. "We'll figure something out," he says, trying to sound optimistic, but really, what is there to figure out?

The season runs October through to April.

We travel two to three times per month and spend anywhere from eighty to a hundred days away.

That's hard on players but even harder on the people they leave behind.

It's something that I've never had to think about before.

But I guess now I do.

A cheer from one of the boats on the lake diverts our attention momentarily, but my thoughts quickly return to the crazy few days we've had.

I didn't expect any of this to happen.

I was just happy to chill with my bestie and his boyfriend.

And now? Now I'm on the verge of being in a relationship with my bestie and his boyfriend.

It's going to take some getting used to, this whole us thing, and we still have a lot more stuff to figure out, but I have a good feeling about it.

I've known Draper almost my whole life, so I know he's one of the best humans ever.

And even though I still have a lot more to discover about Cloyce, I've already seen his maturity, his willingness to do adult things such as talk about feelings.

That's a very much-needed quality because neither Draper nor I are super great at that.

Or adulting in general for that matter.

We sit and chat about this or that as the last color drains from the sky and it turns black.

The evening breeze gives me goose pimples, and as I reach for Cloyce's jacket on the blanket, I'm met with Draper's warm hand doing the same.

He grins.

"Great minds, eh?"

He picks the jacket up and places it over Cloyce's shoulders.

Cloyce turns and smiles at each of us.

"On the other hand, being with two NHL players does have its advantages."

I nuzzle into his neck. "You ain't seen nothing yet, baby."

Draper crowds him in from the other side, and before you know it, we're three-way kissing. Since we are out in public, we keep it short.

We're alone, but there are clusters of people sitting along the shore.

The smell of bonfire smoke lingers in the air, mixing with the faint sweetness of roasted marshmallows.

Then, with a sharp crack, the first firework shoots up, bursting in a golden bloom that shimmers across the lake’s surface.

"Ooh, it's starting," Cloyce says excitedly, clutching onto my and Draper's forearms.

While he stares at the fireworks, my eyes remain on him, enthralled by the endless possibilities that stretch out before us.

Last night was only the beginning, but man, what a beginning it was.

Cloyce may give off shy guy vibes, but there is nothing shy about him in the bedroom.

I love that he felt free and comfortable enough with us to keep the lights on.

I'd hate to have been deprived of the glorious sight of him, taking us both as we worked him over for hours on end.

And it worked well with Draper, too.

I guess we're both tops so there's no chance of us fucking each other, but the occasional stroke and kiss between us is just perfect.

I love him, and I find him sexually appealing, but it's our shared passion for Cloyce that really joins us… I think.

Yeah, yeah, I'm adding it to the list of things we need to talk about when Cloyce makes us talk about how we're feeling.

After the fireworks, we walk back to the house, Cloyce's ankle hardly giving him any bother at all now.

When we get back, Draper heads straight for the kitchen.

"Is there any more of your ma's lasagna left?" he asks, opening the refrigerator.

"There is. Check the second bottom shelf."

Cloyce takes a seat at the breakfast bar. "I'm amazed how much food you two can put away."

"We're professional athletes," Draper declares with a satisfied smile, pulling out the tray.

"And professional fuckers," I add, wrapping my arms around Cloyce and kissing the top of his hair.

"That you are," he replies, leaning back into me. Most people don't get my strange sense of humor, but Cloyce has, right from the very beginning. And he isn't afraid to go toe to toe with me, something I never realized was such a big turn-on.

I let the warmth of his body seep into me. Draper shoves the tray into the microwave, and when he spins around, his face lights up. "I'm going to miss seeing this."

"Well, we have one night left," I say.

"I have an idea," Cloyce says, wriggling out from under my grip.

"Is it sex?" I ask, trying to keep my tone flat but failing.

"No," Cloyce replies firmly then adds, "At least, not right now. You guys eat your food, then meet me out back when you're done."

Draper and I stare at each other blankly.

"Okay," he says.

Cloyce slips out the kitchen door just as the microwave beeps.

We scoff down our food as fast as we can then throw our plates into the sink and go to meet Cloyce in the backyard.

He's laid out the blanket we were sitting on by the lake and is lying on his back, staring up at the stars.

Before we make our way to him, I ask Draper, "How are you feeling about all of this?"

"My head's spinning," he admits, then he frames my face in his hands. "But I am so fucking happy I feel I could burst."

I smile. "Me, too. We'll figure it out, yeah? All the details of how it works to make sure everyone gets what they want."

"Of course."

"I don't ever want to lose you, Draper. I love you too much."

"You won't." His eyes slide to Cloyce. "We've got the most precious guy in the world over there. We have to make this work."

"I agree."

We hug then shuffle over to Cloyce. "Is that you, Cloyce?" I ask, grinning. "Didn't recognize you there with your clothes on. Or without a couple of dicks stuffing your holes."

Draper smacks me across the chest as Cloyce laughs. "As long as that's not all I am to you."

"Never, baby." I lower myself onto the blanket next to him. "I realize this is all brand-new and we have so much to learn about each other, but you already mean so much to me."

He smiles bashfully. "You already mean so much to me, too."

Draper clears his throat. "Feeling a little left out over here."

We both laugh. "Aw, poor baby," Cloyce teases.

"Actually." Draper sits up and reaches for Cloyce's hands. "You've just inspired me to do something."

"Start bathing regularly?" I offer.

"Can you please jab him in the stomach for me, baby?" Draper asks Cloyce who obliges with the tiniest elbow bump.

"This has been the wildest weekend of my life," Draper begins, staring into Cloyce's eyes, and I have the good sense to keep my mouth shut and let Draper have this moment.

"But it could have been a disaster if we didn't stop and talk about things. And there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while now, Cloyce, but I've been too scared or dumb to do it."

He takes a breath, and I lean back, giving him some space, suspecting I know what he's going to say.

"I love you, Cloyce."

Cloyce's mouth twitches for a moment before he says, "I love you, too."

"You do?" Draper looks surprised. "The only reason I ask is because I was afraid it might be too soon."

"It's been eight months," Cloyce reminds him.

"I know, but long-distance relationships skew time."

"True. But no, I'm absolutely certain. I love you, Draper Fassmacher."

Draper cradles Cloyce's face. "And I love you, too, Cloyce Delgaty."

The guys kiss, and my heart explodes with happiness. My cock reacts, too, the longer the kiss goes on.

They break apart, and Cloyce turns to look at me. He shifts his weight, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

"It's okay," I say, taking his other hand. "I don't expect you to say it to me, obviously."

He holds my gaze, his eyes steady and sincere. "It's too early. But I meant what I said, I've developed real feelings real fast for you. You do mean a lot to me."

"I know, baby."

I lean in and kiss him. After a few moments, I feel Draper's warm breath fan across my face, and he joins in, our tongues tangling and exploring this exciting new sensation, the promise of something new. Something real. Something lasting.

Crickets chirp in the distance, and the gentle lapping of the lake fills the warm summer night air. It’s one of those nights that feels endless, like time has slowed just for us.

It's also the best, most magical moment of my life.

I've finally found who I'm meant to be with.